Alan Pascoe, "Father of UK Sports Marketing‪"‬ The Sports Entrepreneurs Podcast by Marcus Luer

Alan Pascoe, former Great Britain Olympian and founding father of Sports marketing in the UK, shares his amazing stories on how he got started, the Athletics events he created, the agencies he build and sold, and many more…
 
Key Highlights
Early days, how o he got his start as a hurdler in school which lead him to win Medals for Great Britain in the European Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympics and become one of the most recognized athletes in the UK at the time
Discovering his passion for the events business – while being a lecturer – his very first event at Cystal Palace grounds for 150 pounds and getting on the BBC live (20 min prime time) in 1971
Using his College “office” to organize events at the beginning – while winning a few more Medals for Great Britain and building his own brand name – “are you the Alan Pascoe”….
From Athletics to Sunday Times Bridge Championship and how to leverage the power of an “influencer” Omar Sharif, Egyptian Actor at the time    
Other early projects, Sunday Times Fun Run in Hyde Park (before London Marathon existed) – in late 70s
Start as an Entrepreneur – Alan Pascoe Associates (APA) – 1983 – taking over an existing agency, owner retiring – with partner Edward Leask
Childhood Asthma story and how to think out of the box – ask questions, don’t pitch at client
Sold APA to WCRS Ad agency for One Million pound in cash – bought it back later
Other projects, Broadcast sponsorship of NFL, Fantasy Football with Daily Telegraph and more
Different focus to other agencies. Consultancy work for brand owners, amplification of sponsorship, events management and sponsorship sales
Bought Personality Management company, representing TV Presenters and inventory management for A-boards of English Football Club before the Premier League
Sold it again to Interpublic in 1999 – believe being part of a larger Advertising Group was the way to go to expand the business
Deal with Interpublic didn’t work out well personally, left company and set up a new company around British/UK Athletics (Fast Track later CSM – Chime Sports Marketing), early 2000
Ran CSM till he stepped down ten years ago (2013/14) – build up both API and CSM into top 3 agencies in the world
The partnership dilemma between Advertising agencies and Sports Marketing agencies
Lessons from buying other agencies worldwide - CSM buying Zak Browns agency – JMI
George Soros partnership with DC United, MLS team
At the time he left in 2014, 20 offices, 750 staff growing to 1,000 people around the world -  CSM recently acquired by Wasserman  
Management style over the decades and how to train people
Helping to win the London Olympic bid, insider stories (Seb Coe, Keith Mills, Buckingham Palace, etc)
Legacy of the London Olympics, no white Elephants around London, helped transform parts of the city
Wrapping up with what keeps him busy now, some consultancy work – Commonwealth Games, Moneycorp and final story
 
About
In 2014 Alan stepped down as President of the CSM Group, the Group he founded, now part of Chime Communications, having put in place the second generation of management to take CSM and its clients onto even greater heights, including Lord Coe who took over his role as Executive Chairman. Alan continues to work as a consultant, offering strategic support with his wealth of experience across the sports and events. CSM is the second world top 3 Sport’s & Events companies that Alan has built, whilst leading the creation of major events and programmes for sports, sponsors and television. Outside of sport he also devised, managed and promoted a medical programme that significantly improved the management of childhood asthma in the UK.
A 3-time Olympian, winning Olympic Silver, triple European Gold, and Commonwealth Gold, Silver & Bronze medals, represented the Commonwealth, Europe and was British Team Captain. Alan started organising and promoting international track and field ath