Sports Pundit Podcast with Andy Marston Andy Marston
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Brought to you by Andy Marston, the Sports Pundit podcast is your ticket to conversations around industry-defining ideas and trends with athletes, executives, founders, and investors - keeping you ahead of the pack within the ever-evolving world of sports and entertainment.
The Sports Pundit podcast is part of the Pundit Media Group and you can also dive into weekly newsletters and score details on monthly events in cities like London, Manchester, New York, and Los Angeles at SportsPundit.co
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Making Space for Women in Sports and Technology with TeamViewer's Faith Wheller
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Faith Wheller, Vice President of Brand, Sports Partnerships & Integrated Marketing at TeamViewer.
Famous for their high-profile partnerships with Manchester United and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, TeamViewer is a remote access and remote control computer software company focused mainly on enterprise clients.
With that in mind, we discuss the company’s decision to invest into sponsorship and how they are choosing to activate in order to get a return on their investments as well as how they go about balancing product-led storytelling with broader social purpose messaging - through something like their recent SheSportTech initiative.
From across her time working at Cisco and Intuit through to working at TeamViewer, Faith has always been incredibly passionate about getting more women into IT and technology. This is reflected in a recent post she shared for international women’s day as well as with SheSport Tech, an initiative which aims to inspire more women and girls to see the breadth of opportunity in the world of technology and sport.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Getting More Women in IT
4:00 - Faith’s Career Journey
8:00 - Why Sponsor Manchester United?
10:00 - Integrating the Product into the Partnership
14:00 - Activating Specifically with Enterprise Customers
18:00 - The Importance of F1 and the U.S. Market
19:00 - Opportunity to Engage Women with F1 Academy
23:00 - Speaking to Different Audiences and the Launch of SheSportTech
28:00 - Why More Women are Needed in Sports Tech
33:00 - Future Ambitions for TeamViewer
Additional Links
Changing the game: Making space for women in sports and tech
Championing diversity: Introducing SheSportTech
Connect with Faith on LinkedIn - Here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here -
Retaining a Startup Mentality with EuroLeague Basketball’s Alex Ferrer Kristjansson
Today’s Episode, I’m joined by Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at EuroLeague Basketball.
Having joined almost 20 years ago, Alex began his career working on the ULEB Cup, now known as the EuroCup, developing and coordinating the marketing strategy across the teams and he has since held a number of different positions at the organisation, always related to marketing somehow, be it ticketing, brand management, or social media and digital.
Since 2012, Alex took on the role that he currently holds, focused on marketing communications, which means overseeing everything related to the promotion and distribution of the competition from PR and comms, to brand and business intelligence. He also looks after the EuroLeague’s long term partnership with IMG, which has had a huge impact on the league since beginning in 2016, from changes to the format, to the allocation of new licenses in markets like Germany and France.
The league is a truly unique case study merging the worlds of European and North American sporting governance. Their startup attitude also provides many lessons for us to learn from.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Alex’s Career Journey
4:00 - The Impact of Partnering with IMG
6:00 - The Format of the EuroLeague
13:00 - Increasing Presence in Strategic Markets
16:00 - Harnessing the Brand Power of the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
19:00 - Retaining a Startup Culture and Launching Fan XP Innovation Challenge
31:00 - Leveraging Creators and Launching Hoop District
38:00 - Future Plans for EuroLeague Final Four
40:00 - Influence of the Adidas Next Gen Tournament
Additional Links
Future Gazing: EuroLeague was Early on OTT, Sees VR as Next Big Opportunity
Euroleague Basketball launches 3x3 content creators tournament 'Hoop District'
Overtime Elite to represent the USA in ANGT Finals
EuroLeague Basketball FanXP relaunches with exciting SPORTBIZ partnership
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn - Here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here -
How Pickleball and Padel Could Cause Participation Surge for Squash with PSA CEO, Alex Gough
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Alex Gough, CEO of the Professional Squash Association.
With a career spanning 15 years on the professional circuit, Alex climbed the ranks to reach number 5 in the world. Along the way, he also secured 10 World Tour titles and a Bronze Medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
His contributions to squash extend far beyond the court, however. His dedication to the sport led him to join the PSA as a Board Director in 2002, while still an active player. Following his retirement, he has transitioned seamlessly into leadership roles, first as Chief Operating Officer in 2008, and then taking the helm as CEO in 2009.
In our conversation today, we delve into Alex's role at the forefront of the PSA, the global governing body responsible for the administration of professional squash worldwide. He’s got a lot on his plate. With over 1,000 registered players and 600 events annually, the PSA World Tour, the PSA Challenger Tour, and the WSF & PSA Satellite Tour, the PSA aspire to showcase squash at its pinnacle. And they do so in some breathtaking locations around the globe.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Alex’s Journey into his current role as CEO of the PSA
3:30 - Transitioning from Player to a Governance/ Executive Role in Sport
6:30 - Overview of the Current Squash Calendar
12:00 - Communication with Current Players and Understanding their Needs
13:30 - Discussion on Managing both Men's and Women's Tours
15:00 - Implementing Equal Prize Money
19:00 - Insights into Commercial Deals, including Sponsors like JP Morgan
21:00 - Egypt's Dominance in Producing Top-Quality Squash Players
23:00 - Exploration of Outdoor Events and their Appeal
27:00 - Utilising Social Media to Attract New Audiences
31:00 - The Popularity of Pickleball and Padel, and the Opportunities for Squash
38:00 - Implications of squash being included in the Olympics
41:00 - Future aspirations and ambitions for the PSA leading up to LA 2028
Additional Links
Professional Squash Association celebrates 50th anniversary
Cricket, squash among six sports added to 2028 L.A. Olympics
Video: Playing Squash at the Olympics
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn - Here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here -
Why People and Businesses Should Lead More Consiously with Soulhub's Carmen Rendell
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Carmen Rendell, Founder of Soulhub.
She’s not your usual therapist or business owner. She’s a community space holder and a truth seeker. She says herself she loves to get under the bonnet and get to the real stuff. Talk raw truths. To stop the pretence and help you or your business say and see it how it really is. And she’s done this for some huge businesses like HSBC, eBay, and WhatsApp.
My conversation today is unlike others that I’ve held, far more introspective, but I hope that, like with all the content that I put out, it provokes thought and ideation.
Ultimately at the centre of every business and every sport are humans, and it’s important to take a step back and recognise that fundamental truth.
Time Stamps:
2:00 - Carmen’s Journey to Founding Soulhub
15:00 - What is Soulhub?
22:00 - Recruiting and Bringing People into your Mission
26:00 - What has Wellbeing and Spirituality got to do with Sport?
29:00 - Getting the Best out of Ourselves and our Teams
35:00 - Balancing Morals and Values with Necessity
38:00 - Sitting with Difference
Additional Links
Souhubbers Podcast - Episode 1 – Who is Carmen Rendell?
The Growing Importance Of Employee Wellness: How Are You Responding?
Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
Captivating Motorsport Fans in New Ways with Formula E's Jeff Dodds
Today’s episode I’m joined by Formula E’s Jeff Dodds.
In his role as CEO, Jeff is spearheading the evolution of the pioneering electric motorsport world championship, best-known for it’s promotion of sustainability within elite sports—a mission that's more vital than ever.
Before taking the helm, Jeff honed his leadership prowess within the dynamic landscape of Virgin businesses. From his most recent tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2, to his multifaceted roles at Virgin Media prior to that, which included spells as COO, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer.
Having also held executive roles outside of Telecoms, at the likes of Callaway Golf and Honda UK, Jeff has a wealth of insights to bring to the table for the still-young racing series as it moves into it’s next phase of growth, something that we discuss heavily.
So, without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Jeff Dodds.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Applying Lessons from Telcos
4:00 - Working for a Virgin Business
7:00 - What Differentiates the Formula E Product?
10:00 - Balancing Purpose and Product
15:00 - Retaining Competitive Balance
21:00 - Hosting an E-Prix on the Streets of Tokyo
27:00 - The Benefits to Being Young
29:00 - Can Men and Women Compete in the Same Racing Series?
36:00 - Going Behind a Paywall in the UK
45:00 - Looking to the Future
Additional Links
Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
How AI-powered Video can Unlock Opportunity for Grassroots Sports with Veo's CEO Henrik Teisbæk
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Henrik Teisbæk, co-founder and CEO of Veo Technologies.
Veo was founded in Copenhagen in 2015 with a vision to democratise video broadcasting and analytics which at the time was reserved mostly for professional teams.
The company creates smart, AI-powered cameras that let anyone record their match without a camera operator. The automatic recording and video-editing then enables coaches and players to watch and share their sport.
While predominantly focused on football, I recently partnered with Veo when I launched the Sports Pundit rugby predictor game for both the men’s and women’s Six Nations. From that initial conversation about a partnership also grew a curiosity to learn more about their product, as well as how it was being utilised - particularly at the grassroots level - something rarely discussed within sports industry content.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Founding Veo
4:00 - Transitioning from Software to Hardware
10:00 - The Commercial Benefits of Video
13:00 - Targeting the Grassroots
19:00 - Expanding into New Sports and Markets
24:00 - The Opportunity in Women’s Sport
27:00 - Launching the People’s Puskas Award
30:00 - Creating New Jobs
34:00 - Looking to the Future
Additional Links
Great goals can come from everywhere: Veo unveils People's Puskas 2023
AI camera startup Veo targets further expansion after US$80m funding round
Mastering Moments: Unveiling the new Veo Cam 3
‘We’re creating a video network for all of soccer’: Veo’s goal to take AI tech to the masses
Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here