The Footballco Business Podcast

Creativity in Football & LION Sport at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Preview with Kenny Annan-Jonathan

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:53:00 -0000

On the new Footballco Business Podcast, we're joined by Kenny Annan-Jonathan to discuss the role of creatives in sport and what can be expected this year from LIONS Sport - the latest edition to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Including..

🎨 Should there be more in-house creatives at football clubs?

🇧🇷 Why Brazil is winning the World Cup of apparel

🏀 What football can learn about creativity from other sports

✈️ Advice for attending Cannes Lions

📅 What to expect from LIONS Sport

🇬🇭 Why all eyes should be on Ghana at the World Cup

This podcast is in partnership with LIONS Sport, taking place June 24th and 25th at Cannes Lions.

The new global forum celebrates the power of sports marketing and the business of competition. The programme is now live – featuring the world’s most competitive brands and the people behind them. Find out more .

How BBC Sport will Broadcast the World Cup with dock10 - Recorded live at the Broadcast Sport Content Summit

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:10:00 -0000

This episode was recorded live at the Broadcast Sport Content Summit and covers BBC Sport and dock10's plans for broadcasting the biggest World Cup ever!

Including...

How BBC Sport will engage fans outside match windows
Why they're broadcasting most of the World Cup from Manchester rather than North America
In-studio plans
How the World Cup broadcast could influence Match of the Day, Final Score and other BBC Sport shows
Navigating timezone challenges
Technical innovations and obstacles

Featuring:

Hannah Robinson, Production Development Producer - dock10
Colm Harty, Senior Director - BBC Sport
Mike Lodmore, Duty Technology Manager - dock10
Rich Wormwell, Head of Production Innovation - dock10

This podcast is in partnership with LIONS Sport, taking place June 24th and 25th at Cannes Lions.

Adebayo Akinfenwa - The strongest man in football on creating a player brand in the EFL and launching his own podcast

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Our guest on the latest Footballco Business Podcast is the strongest man to have played football, Adebayo Akinfenwa.

As a player, Bayo didn’t make it to the Premier League, but he built a player brand through iconic interviews, becoming a legend in the FIFA video game with KSI, and now hosts the Footballco-produced Beast Mode On Podcast.

Bayo joined us to discuss….

Being the strongest man in football
How his size created misconceptions about his ability
How KSI and FIFA brought him new fans
Why building a player brand was essential for his career
His iconic ‘hit me up on WhatsApp interview after being released by Wimbledon
Why his Beast Mode On Podcast is more than just another former pros' podcasts
His favourite and dream guests

This podcast is in partnership with LIONS Sport, taking place June 24th and 25th at Cannes Lions.

How Brands Can Win The World Cup with Rio Ferdinand, Homeground's Rachid Ahoyek and YouTube's Joshua Wayoe

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

With this Summer's World Cup set to be the noisiest ever, we gathered an expert panel for our recent 'Never Mind the Cliches' event to help brands cut through the noise and make the most of the biggest World Cup ever.

With Iconic's James Kirkham moderating, we were joined by England legend and media pioneer Rio Ferdinand, Homeground CEO Rachid Ahoyek, and strategic partner manager for YouTube, Joshua Wayoe.

Between them, they covered...

What it's like playing at a World Cup and handling the media
The marketing cliches to avoid
How fans will be consuming the World Cup
Going beyond second-screening
Working with athletes
What fans are really watching on YouTube
And much more!

This podcast is in partnership with LIONS Sport, taking place June 24th and 25th at Cannes Lions.

What the Millwall brand means in 2026 with Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Wilson.

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

As Millwall FC celebrate their 140th anniversary, our guest is the club's Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Wilson.

Luke joins us to discuss the club's brand and what it means to be Millwall today, compared with the club’s reputation in the 70s and 80s.

From working in the community across two of London's most deprived boroughs and a successful LGBTQ+ team to how Alex Neil has harnessed the club's 'nobody likes' and 'underdog' spirit to get the club pushing for promotion to the Premier League, and what such an achievement would mean to the club.

This podcast is in partnership with LIONS Sport, taking place June 24th and 25th at Cannes Lions.

The most valuable football stadium naming rights in Europe - How much is Spurs' stadium really worth and could New Trafford be the most valuable ever? Ft The Sponsor's Sean Connell

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're speaking to Sean Connel, the Editor of The Sponsor and author of their most recent report on the fair market value of stadium sponsorship in Europe.

With Spurs' still looking for a naming partner for their stadium and Manchester United planning a replacement for Old Trafford what is the true fair market value for stadium naming rights?

Sean joins us to discuss this and much more, including why Barcelona's Nou Camp and Real Madrid's Bernabeu are the most valuable in Europe, the dangers and opportunities of renaming heritage stadiums, and why stadiums in the US command such a premium.

Read more about The Sponsor’s European Stadium Naming Rights Fair Market Value Report - https://www.thesponsor.com/revealed-european-stadium-naming-rights-fair-market-sponsorship-values-2026/

Identifying, localising, and monetising the next generation of fans from The World Football Summit Riyadh

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

This episode was recorded live at the World Football Summit Riyadh in December 2025 and covers Identifying, localising, and monetising the next generation of fans, featuring a panel including:

Mohammed Basrawi - GM and MARCOM Content for the Saudi Pro League

Olek Loewenstein - President of Sports Content at Televisa Univision

Shahrukh Sohail - Senior Sports and Entertainment Business Manager at Explere

Marc Veelenturf - CEO Middle East & Türkiye and Chief Growth Officer – International markets at Atos

It’s moderated by our own SVP for the Middle East, Andy Jackson.

Football and fashion trends and World Cup expectations for 2026 with Sportsverse's Daniel-Yaw Miller

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:56:00 -0000

The relationship between football and fashion has never been bigger, so we're kicking off the New Year with fashion, football and culture journalist Daniel-Yaw Miller to discuss the biggest trends in football and fashion and look ahead to the 2026 World Cup. Listen to hear about...

The best fits and kits from AFCON
What Nike and adidas have planned for the 2026 World Cup
Why clubs are digging into their archives more
Why Mario Balotelli was everywhere last year
Are Arsenal doing too many collabs?
Why clubs need to pay more attention to K-Culture

If you like this, subscribe to Dan's Substack for more: https://sportsverse.substack.com/

Juventus - We Are Youth Since 1897: Juventus’ Marketing Director, Marco Castellaneta, on the club’s youth-focused brand campaign

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:02:00 -0000

Two years ago, Juventus Football Club kicked off, We Are Youth Since 1897; a piece of brand work that goes beyond gen-z and gen alpha engagement to create a club-brand rooted in the spirit of youth to differentiate the club from its rivals, both domestic and international.

On the latest episode of the Footballco Business Podcast, we’re joined by Juventus’ Marketing Director, Marco Castellaneta, to find out what the club's done so far and what it takes to be a youthful club, including...

👶 What youth means to Juventus

🤴 The club’s Kings League partnership

🧠 Tackling mental health

📍 Taking football to extreme locations

📊 Measuring success

🗣️ Communicating We Are Youth Since 1897 to fans

Vodafone: Behind Vodafone’s new UEFA partnership and much more with Anne Stilling, Global Director Brand and Customer

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:13:00 -0000

We’re joined by Global Director Brand and Customer, Anne Stilling, to discuss why the brand is back with UEFA across both men’s and women’s football and how the brand’s approach to football has evolved over more than two decades!

Also…

The strategy behind Vodafone’s new UEFA partnership
Similarities with men’s football and women’s rugby
How football and marketing have changed since Vodafone’s last UEFA partnership
Could we see Vodafone on a Premier League shirt again?
Stadium sponsorship
What is Hyrox and why you should care

Ronaldo, Neymar and Lewandowski: Who are the most marketable footballers in the world? With SportsPro's Michael Long and Ed Dixon

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:31:00 -0000

We're joined by SportsPro's Michael Long and Ed Dixon to go through their latest list of the 50 most marketable athletes in sport, otherwise known as 50MM.

We find out who the most marketable footballers are and what makes a player marketable in 2025.

Find out more and see the full list at: https://50mm.sportspro.com/

Manchester City Women: Growing fandom, new partnerships, broadcast deals, and more with MD Charlotte O'Neill

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:02:00 -0000

On this episode of the Footballco Business Podcast, we’re joined by the managing director of Manchester City Women, Charlotte O’Neill. Charlotte joins us to discuss performance off the pitch, including:

Commercial partnerships with the likes of Snuggs and Joie
What it’s like playing games at two stadiums next door to each other
Growing the club’s fanbase and its new social media plans
What the club can learn from Hey Duggee Live and Disney on Ice
The impact of new broadcast deals
Being able to drink in the stands
Where City Women will be in 2035

Matt McKie - Stockport County and building community plus lessons from Manchester United

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

On this episode of the Footballco Business Podcast, we're joined by Matt McKie. Currently a Non-Executive Director at Stockport County, Matt has held senior brand and marketing roles at Manchester United, the IOC, Nike and EA Sports.

Matt joins us to discuss his work at Stockport County, the importance of community, challenging Wrexham, and why he can't have the next generation of kids growing up in Stockport and following Manchester City.

There are also lessons from his time at United, EA Sports and Nike.

This podcast is in partnership with LIONS Sport, taking place June 24th and 25th at Cannes Lions.

Colm Dillane AKA KidSuper: Football, fashion and creativity

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:19:00 -0000

On this show, we're bringing you Colm Dillane's interview from Stands, recorded in August this year and covering Colm's passion for fashion and creativity and the role football plays in his work.

Colm is interviewed by Ryan McLaughlin, Events & Collaborations @ MCL Digital, Co-Host and Co-Organiser of STANDS

STANDS is an event created FC St. Pauli to give room to the intersection between the different communities/cultures of streetfashion, art, music and football at the Millerntor Stadium

Colm's interview covers

Having Ronaldinho walk for KidSuper at Paris Fashion Week

Why football is 'the coolest sport in the world'

Lessons for brands and clubs crossing into football and fashion

Why being a creator/director is harder than being an athlete

Why he built a pitch on the roof of KidSuper Studio

Partnering with St Pauli to create a unique mural, hoodies and shirts

Working with Puma for the brand's Club World Cup Kits

Collaborating with Louis Vuitton

EA Sports: FC26, the impact of women's football, new partnerships, EA Futures, and celebrating Chloe Kelly with Senior Marketing Director for EA Sports FC, James Salmon

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

This episode of the Footballco Business Podcast was recorded live in Basel ahead of the 2025 Women's Euro Final and features Senior Marketing Director for EA Sports FC, James Salmon.

James joined us to discuss the impact of women's football in the FC series, the impact of new partnerships, the role of the FC Futures project and why everyone loves Chloe Kelly.

World Cup '26, MLS 3.0 and the best soccer cities in the US with Sports Business Journal's Alex Silverman

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:24:00 -0000

On this episode, we're joined by Sports Business Journal's Soccer Staff Writer, Alex Silverman, for a show dedicated to US Soccer.

Alex takes us through SBJ's recently published list of the best US cities for soccer business, looks back at the Club World Cup and forward to the World Cup, and what's next for MLS.

How to bring creativity into women's football marketing and working with players ft, Polly Barnes, James Marshall and Jenny Mitton

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're finding out how to and why we need to bring creativity into women's football marketing, how to get the best from players, and the importance of understanding the culture.

Also...the worst women's football marketing cliches, the importance of football adjacent culture and what it's like managing Toone and Russo.

This episode was recorded live at Rewriting the Rules - an event held at INDIVISA HQ during the second week of the 2025 Women's Euro, focused on how brands and media are winning in women's football by doing this differently.

How Mercury 13 are creating the LVMH of football with Victoire Cogevina Reynal

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:03:00 -0000

On this show, our guest is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Mercury 13, Victoire Cogevina Reynal. Victoire joins us to discuss Mercury 13's first year owning FC Como Women, the club's rebrand, its role in the multi-club ownership group's plans and the importance of fashion and lifestyle.

Victoire also discusses her admiration for Angel City FC, how they pitch to commercial partners and welcoming Juan Mata and Sergio Oliveira onto the board.

Women's football fandom in Saudi Arabia - Opportunities for brands with INDIVISA, Rise and Wavemaker

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 06:12:00 -0000

The growth of women's football in Saudi Arabia presents numerous opportunities for brands to be part of a unique movement and a pivotal moment in women's sport in the region. However, navigating and understanding this fandom isn't straightforward.

To help brands better understand women's football fandom in Saudi Arabia, our women's football brand, INDIVISA, hosted a panel featuring:

Tonia Eid - L'Oréal Beauty Division Lead at the global media network Wavemaker
Farah Badran - Sport Strategy Consultant at independent sports, culture, and entertainment agency, RISE.
Andy Jackson - SVP for the Middle East at Footballco

The panel was moderated by our of VP of marketing and communications, Fabiola Wilcox.

Women's Euros special: Media, marketing and more - how women's football in England has changed since 2022 ft Expected Goals

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:58:00 -0000

On this episode, we're joined by the hosts of the Expected Goals podcast, Maggie Murphy and Matt Cutler to discuss what's changed in women's football in England since the Lionesses lifted the trophy on home turf in 2022.

Maggie and Matt cover the impact of the Lionesses on both international and domestic attendance, the ever-changing broadcast set-up, how brands have changed their approach, and even try to predict the winner of the forthcoming Women's Euro.

If you like this, check out the Expected Goals podcast. Expected Goals leads the business conversation for women's football. It is a must-listen for anyone riding the women's football wave - both those investing in it and those who want to understand the dynamics of the business underpinning it.

MLS at 30 ft SportsPro - The biggest changes, signings, deals, and more with Major League Soccer now in its 30th season

Wed, 28 May 2025 12:02:00 -0000

With Major League Soccer now in its 30th season, SportsPro's Michael Long and Sam Carp join our own Patrick Stiegman to discuss the growth of the league since its first season in 1996 and what the future holds post-World Cup.

For more, read Sam Carp's feature: The Health Check: Why MLS sponsorship growth is about more than just Messi - https://www.sportspro.com/insights/features/mls-sponsorship-portfolio-growth-messi-effect-adidas-apple/

EA SPORTS’ New App: Why EA SPORTS is going beyond gaming with news, features, highlights, and more with guest David Jackson

Wed, 14 May 2025 08:17:00 -0000

On this show, we’re joined by EA SPORTS’ VP of Ventures, David Jackson. David joins us to discuss EA SPORTS’ new app, which takes EA beyond gaming and into the world of real sports media curation and distribution.

Download the EA SPORTS APP:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ea.gp.brooklyn

APPLE: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6670217137

FK Bodø/Glimt's International Marketing Manager on the effect of Europa League success and marketing the most interesting club in Europe

Tue, 06 May 2025 10:12:00 -0000

On this episode, our guest is Joe Foster, International Marketing Manager for Bodø/Glimt - the small Norwegian team taking Europe by storm.

Joe joins us to discuss the effect the Europa League has had on the club and his job, the challenges of being a club in the Arctic Circle, and why, for Bodø, sustainability is more than a box-ticking exercise.

Bonus Guest Episode - Footballco CEO, Juan Delgado discusses running a modern football media company, the rise of women's soccer an AI - Guest Episode from the Excellent Leadership Podcast

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:52:00 -0000

This episode is a taster of what you can expect from the Excellent Leadership Podcast, hosted by Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory).

This clip features Footballco CEO Juan Delgago discussing how Footballco operates as a modern football media company, the growth of women's football, and how Footballco harnesses AI.

The Excellent Leadership Podcast interviews sports and entertainment CEOs, Presidents, General Managers, Athletics Directors, Head Coaches, Elite Athletes and Performers. It explores their career journeys, experiences, and advice as leaders in the world's most exciting and competitive industry

Find out more: https://excelsm.com/excellentleadership/

C.P. Company - President Lorenzo Osti on the brand's connections to football's casual subculture

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:41:00 -0000

C.P. Company's Lorenzo Osti joins us to discuss how the brand created by his father ended up being adopted by the UK's casual football subculture, why they partnered with Manchester City, and how he's continuing his father's legacy at C.P.

Dentsu: How to create winning video game strategies for clubs with Dentsu's EVP for Global Gaming, Brent Koning

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:59:00 -0000

Brent Koning is Dentsu's EVP for global gaming and spent six years at Electronic Arts, where he was Commissioner of the EA Sports FIFA Global series and was the first employee of EA’s football esports team. Brent joins us to build a winning gaming strategy for his own fictitious football club, including...

Where does gaming sit within a marketing strategy

Roblox, Fortnite, EAFC? Which games should clubs get involved with

YouTube or Twitch - Where are the fans?

How do you see an ROI on gaming?

The role of competitive gaming?

And, what games has brent played more than 1,000 hours of?

Beyond Benzema and Ronaldo - marketing the Saudi Pro League through derbies and history with Mohammed Basrawi, GM for Marketing Communications and Content for the Saudi Pro League

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:05:00 -0000

Our guest on this show is Mohammed Basrawi, GM for Marketing Communications and Content for the Saudi Pro League. Mohammed joins us to discuss how the Saudi Pro League is growing its audience outside of leveraging the popularity of marquee players.

From the biggest derbies and club history to innovative media deals and eye-catching celebrations, this show looks at what’s driving fandom both inside the Kingdom and in growing markets.

Creating Brand Beckham and building footballer brands today - Simon Oliveira, Founder of KIN Partners, Oliveira Partners and former senior advisor for David Beckham

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:23:00 -0000

Our guest is the man behind 'Brand Beckham', Simon Oliveira. Simon has worked also closely with Lewis Hamilton, Neymar Jnr and Andy Murray and joins us to talk about building the Beckham brand and how you create a modern footballer brand today. Up for discussion are:

Turning Beckham into 'soft British power'

Beckham and the Olympics

Taking David the LA Galaxy

The tabloids of the 00s versus the social media of today

The role of Victoria on building David's brand

The best league for growing a footballer brand

Do players need a cause?

Players becoming YouTubers and curators

The role of documentaries

Which player Simon would liked to have worked with

Growing women's football fandom with Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Banaat FC and INDIVISA

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we bring you the More Women in Football panel from the Social Football Summit, which took place in Rome in November last year. The panel features Budreya Faisal, President of Banaat FC, Morgan Brennan, Head of Footballco's women's football brand, INDIVISA, and Zoe Johnson, Managing Director of Women and Girls at Brighton and Hove Albion.

The panel includes:

How Brighton have become a leading club in the WSL both on and off the pitch - from plans for a purpose-built stadium to looking after player's social media
The fascinating story behind why Budreya Faisal set up a women's football club in Dubai and the challenges she's had to overcome
Tips on growing fandom through original content from INDIVISA's Morgan Brennan

To find out more about the Social Football Summit, visit socialfootballsummit.com

Football and Fashion - Predictions for 2025, and the stories behind the biggest colabs of last year with Daniel-Yaw Miller

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Fashion and sport culture journalist Daniel-Yaw Miller joins us to discuss the biggest collabs and stories of 2024, his predictions for this year and builds his dream team of fashion ambassadors.

Also on the show...

Why Arsenal are dominating football fashion

CP Company and the rise of terrace culture-inspired clothing

Why the Arnault family bought Paris FC and did they buy the wrong Parisian club?

AC Milan and Off-White

Cole Palmer

You can get more insight from Daniel here:

SportsVerse Newsletter - Dan's bi-weekly newsletter on the intersection of sports, culture, fashion and money: https://sportsverse.substack.com/

Instagram: @danielyaw_

LinkedIn: Daniel-Yaw Miller

Selling Calcio to Americans - How Serie A is growing soccer fandom in the US with CEO and MD of Serie A USA, Andy Mitchell

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:18:00 -0000

We're joined by the CEO and MD of Serie A USA, Andy Mitchell, to discuss how he's helping Americans fall in love with Italian football. From the power of Pulisic to US owners and the importance of having a pizzeria on every street corner, Andy discusses how Serie A cultivates this fandom.

Andy also discusses the prevalence of US ownership, the importance of watching games live and why he'd love to see games played in the US.

If you enjoy this show, be sure to check out other episodes featuring Juventus and both Inter and AC Milan.

FIFA, PES, Sensible Soccer and More: The retro football video games that changed fans' relationship with the sport ft. Bitmap Books' Richard Moss

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

We're looking back at how video games have changed how fans engage with football and the titles that influenced the industry and our relationship with the sport. Our guest is Richard Moss, the author of the recently released 'A Tale of Two Halves—the History of Football Video Games 1982-2010'.

Richard goes back to discuss the creation of these iconic games, what made them so groundbreaking and their influence on football itself.

Getting discussed on the show are...

FIFA
Pro Evolution Soccer
Sensible Soccer
Football Manager and Championship Manager
NASL Soccer - Intellivision Soccer 1980
The Manchester United video game series

'A Tale of Two Halves' is available to buy now direct from Bitmap Books:

Standard Hardback: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/by-genre/products/a-tale-of-two-halves

Collector’s Edition: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/by-genre/products/a-tale-of-two-halves-captains-edition

Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 - The role of the World Cup in marketing Saudi Arabia to the world with Hammad Albalawi, Head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation FIFA World Cup 2034 bid unit

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:06:29 -0000

On this show, we’re discussing Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup with Hammad Albalawi, Head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation FIFA World Cup 2034 bid unit.

With the Kingdom expected to soon be named as the host country for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, we talk to Hammad about his love of football, the role it plays in Saudi Arabia and the importance of the World Cup in how Saudi Arabia markets itself to the world.

We also discuss the upcoming Netflix documentary, “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff” and the Kingdom’s wider football strategy.

AC Milan: The New York Yankees and more - Inside AC Milan's fashion strategy with CMO Tania Moreno

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:10:00 -0000

From the New York Yankees to Pleasures and Off-White - we speak to AC Milan's CMO, Tania Moreno, about the club's football and fashion strategy and what made Business of Fashion call AC Milan 'The football team that finally got fashion right'.

Including:

How the club chooses its fashion partners

The role of fashion in growing the club in the US

Who is really buying AC Milan clothing

Sports Pro: Vini Jr, Messi and more. Who are the most marketable footballers in the world?

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:33:37 -0000

On this show, we're joined by SportsPro's Ed Dixon and Sam Carp to examine SportsPro's latest 50 Most Marketable Athletes list, which ranks athletes from across the world and across sports. With a focus on football, we find out who the most marketable players in the world are and what makes them so valuable.

We also look at competition from outside of football, how the rise of women's sports has affected the list, and how the list might change next year.

This year’s ranking from SportsPro has been compiled in partnership with consulting firm NorthStar Solutions Group, which has developed an enhanced methodology and multi-faceted evaluation model to deliver the most comprehensive assessment of athlete marketability ever undertaken.

To view the list in full, visit https://50mm.sportspro.com/

Creating winning club-owned podcasts with Sport Social's with Jim Salveson | Matt Tasker on creating Manchester United's first podcast

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0000

On this episode of the Footballco Business Podcast, we’re talking about club-run podcasts. Alex is joined by Jim Salveson, director of sport at Sport Social, Europe’s largest dedicated sports podcast network, working with the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jim is joined by Matt Tasker, executive producer for Sport Social and also the man behind getting Manchester United into podcasts back in 2019.

Unilever and Rexona's Women's Football Strategy - Breaking barriers in women's football partnerships with global brand director, Emily Heath

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Our guest on this show is Emily Heath, global brand director for Rexona at Unilever. Emily joined us to discuss Rexona's work in women’s football, from their Breaking Limits program and barriers faced by girls trying to progress in sports to the brand’s UEFA and FIFA partnerships and their focus on young female players.

Google's Kate Johnson on Google's women's football strategy, lessons from the Olympics and inspiring women in sport

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0000

As Director of Global Sports, Media, and Entertainment Marketing for Google, Kate Johnson is one of the most influential people in sports marketing. On this show, she discusses Google's women's football strategy, partnerships with Arsenal, Liverpool, the NWSL, and the Frauen-Bundesliga, and her own experience as an Olympic medalist and a woman in sport.

FC Juarez - Managing and marketing a club in one of the most dangerous cities in the world with club president Luis Rodriguez

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0000

Sitting on the US and Mexico border, Juarez is regarded by some as the most dangerous place in the world. On this episode, we're speaking with the president of FC Juarez, Luis Rodriguez, about the reality of managing and marketing a club in a city as unique as Juarez.

Luis talks to us about attracting players, how and why they're looking to grow in the US and what makes FC Juarez one of the most interesting clubs in soccer.

Acid FC's Ed Cowburn - Trends in kit design | the role of creatives in clubs | working for St Pauli, Leeds United, Red Star FC and more

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Acid FC have been responsible for some of the most creative kit and apparel designs in football over recent years, having worked with clubs including Leeds United, St Pauli, Oakland Roots and Red Star FC.

On this show, we're talking to Acid FC's founder, Ed Cowburn, about trends in kit design, the role of creatives in football, why smaller clubs are setting the creative benchmark, and what it's like designing the kit for your hometown club.

For more on Acid FC, head to https://www.acidfc.com/ or follow them on Instagram @weareacidfc

Roc Nation Sports International - Michael Yormark on Vini Jr, what makes a marketable player and being part of Jay-Z's Roc Nation empire

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0000

We're talking to Michael Yormark, the president of Roc Nation Sports International, about being part of Jay-Z's Roc Nation empire, how the agency differentiates itself and the importance of the Ballon d'Or for Vini Jr. 's career. Michael also talks to us about what got the agency into the football business, their goals for World Cup 2026 and his dream client.

Euro 2024 Special with SportsPro - The most marketable players, the media wins and the biggest marketing and media stories from Euro 2024

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0000

This episode is a Euro 2024 special. We're joined by Tom Bassam, host of the SportsPro Podcast, to discuss the biggest marketing and media moments from this year's tournament.

Tom and Alex try their best to decide which players were the most marketable, which were the standout media trends whether hosting the tournament was a win for Germany.

This episode was recorded on July 11th, before the final between Spain and England.

Admiral Sports: England to Bob Marley - How Admiral invented the replica football shirt industry and pivoted to award-winning collabs

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0000

In the 1970s, Admiral invented the replica shirt industry, creating the first-ever replica kits for the likes of the England National Team and Leeds United. Today, they're known for their pioneering collab-kits with the likes of Bob Marley and the Rolling Stones and award-winning designs for Walthamstow FC. We speak to Admiral Sports' Theo Hamburger about the birth of an industry now worth billions and how new generations are falling in love with their designs.

This episode of the Footballco Business Podcast was recorded live at Hotel MUNDIAL during the first week of Euro 2024.

Juventus - The Juventus Creator Lab and a new creator-led approach to club content creation

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 07:10:42 -0000

This show was recorded live at Soccerex Europe and features Mike Armstrong, Juventus's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and Marco Castellaneta, the club’s Head of Digital Media.

Mike and Marco were on stage with Footballco's PR Manager, Paul Rayment, to discuss the Juventus Creator Lab - the club’s new approach to creation, where creatives with different talents - designers, video makers, writers, influencers, streamers, social media creators - join forces in a single production centre in the heart of the Juventus headquarters.

Both guests appeared on the podcast in 2023 when the project had just started and join us now to discuss what's happened since, the role lab in the club's broader business and media strategies and how Juventus see the future working with creators of various disciplines.

Las Vegas Lights - Jose Bautista on running a soccer club in a city reinventing itself around sports and swapping marketing stunts for success on the pitch

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:32:43 -0000

Las Vegas is always reinventing itself, and right now, it's focused on becoming the home of sports. Having recently hosted the Super Bowl, Vegas is now home to the Las Vegas Knights (NHL), the Raiders (NFL) and will soon welcome the Oakland Athletics (MLB). And that's without mentioning F1, boxing or college sports out of UNLV.

Before any of these major franchises, the Las Vegas Lights was one of only a few sports teams in the city, but it was known more for its outlandish stunts than for being a credible team.

We spoke to the new owner of the Las Vegas Lights and MLB six-time All Star, Jose Bautista about his plans for the Lights and what it's like running a club in Las Vegas as more major teams move in.

Real Sociedad: The importance of the club’s Basque identity at home, how Kubo is helping growth in Japan and the effect of UEFA Champions League success

Wed, 22 May 2024 14:31:00 -0000

On this episode, we’re speaking with Iñigo Diaz de Cerio, International Area Manager of Real Sociedad. Iñigo joins us to talk about growing fandom at home and abroad and the impact the club’s run in the UEFA Champions League had on its brand.

Located in the Basque Country, Real Sociedad’s identity is rooted in the region. While the team now comprises of players from other regions and countries, the club still looks to bring local players through and foster a Basque identity in the team. With that in mind, we ask Inigo about the importance of the Basque identity with local fans and contrast that with the club’s growth in Japan after the signing of Takefusa Kubo in 2022.

Also, with the club making it to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, after topping their group, we find out how that’s helped the club’s growth and affected their future ambitions in European competition.

You can find out more about Real Sociedad in the Outside The Box series with FedEx which profiles players, managers and clubs who do things differently... watch the full episode here: https://bit.ly/44RdeFd.

M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment: Jenny Mitton on women's football in 2024, the brands supporting it the best and learnings from rugby and cricket

Wed, 15 May 2024 06:00:00 -0000

On this episode, Alex talks with Jenny Mitton, Managing Partner and women’s Sport Lead at M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment. Jenny has extensive experience in women's sport, including football, rugby, and cricket, having worked with some of the biggest brands and rights holders in the space.

We discuss the changing face of women's football, learnings from other sports, the challenges of activating in a year without a major women's football tournament and brands doing it best.

Charlton Athletic FC - The club's co-owner, Charlie Methven on why Charlton has EDI front and centre in its drive for growth and its being used to create a unique proposition for brand partners

Wed, 01 May 2024 14:27:19 -0000

Charlton Athletic FC are this season's EFL's Community Club of the Year and, through a number of initiatives, have placed EDI at the centre of the club's growth strategy.

In this episode of the Footballco Business Podcast, hear how the club is seeing the benefits on and off the pitch and using EDI to create a unique proposition for brand partners looking to reach young football fans.

This episode of the Footballco Business was recorded at SportsPro Live and hosted by Footballco's VP of global football partnerships, Andy Jackson.

Read more about Charlton's unique proposition: https://www.footballco.com/blog/footballcocharlton

Southampton FC: The Making of the Gen-Alpha Football Series The Academy ft. CBBC and Baby Wolf Productions

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're talking with the team behind the CBBC football documentary series 'The Academy', a show for preteen children that focuses on the young players at Southampton FC's academy.

With guests from the club, CBBC and Baby Wolf Productions, the show covers creating content with and for young fans and the role the show plays in the club's fan engagement and commercial strategies.

Our guests on this show are:

Andy Goldie: Academy Director at Southampton Football Club

Charlie Boss: Chief Commercial Officer of Southampton FC

Kez Margrie: Commissioning Editor at BBC Children’s

Andy Scott: Director, Baby Wolf Productions

The Academy is available to watch on CBBC and the BBC iPlayer (UK Only)

Manchester City: From Together to Match Day Live - City Studios’ role in CFG’s branded content and fan engagement strategies

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:29:05 -0000

On this episode, we were invited to record at Manchester City’s Studio 1 to discover how the club’s creative content and production hub, City Studios, which includes a purpose-built facility in the heart of the club’s training grounds has supercharged the club’s branded content and fan-first video output.

Our guests on this show are Gavin Johnson, Media Director at City Football Group, and Graham Belshaw, Head of Live Content for Manchester City. We discuss the creation of the club’s Match Day Live show and its role in fostering fandom worldwide, as well as ‘Together’, Manchester City’s behind-the-scenes documentary content.

With ‘Together: Treble Winners’ having premiered on Netflix on April 2nd, we find out what it takes to produce the show, why it needs to cover more than what happens on the pitch and the club’s wider distribution strategy for video content.

Svensk Elitfotboll (Swedish Professional Football Leagues) - How putting fans first, rejecting VAR and foreign money made the Allsvenskan the most popular league in Sweden

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Allsvenskan by speaking with Robert Johansson, chief communications officer for Svensk Elitfotboll (Swedish Professional Football Leagues) about how their strategy to put fans first made the Allsvenskan the most popular competition in Swedish football, after decades of being behind the Premier League and Champions League.

Driving this change was the NBL17 - a plan to make the Allsvenskan the best league in the Nordic region. To get there, it involved rejecting VAR, making clubs majority owned by fans working with club democracy, banning the multiclub model and putting the power in the hands of the fans and acknowledging the fans as a vital part of the game.

The results were record in-stadium attendances, a tripling of league revenues and 40% of Swedes now naming the Allsvenskan as their favourite league.

Find out more about NBL17 - https://www.svenskelitfotboll.se/en/nbl-the-best-nordic-league/

Oakland Roots - How a purpose and community-driven USL team became one of the coolest clubs in soccer

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0000

We're talking to Oakland Roots Co-founder and CMO, Edreece Arghandiwal. We hear about the importance of purpose to the club and how that and its channelling of all that's great about Oakland has created one of the coolest brands in soccer.

We also delve into the backstory of the iconic Oakland Roots logo and why Edreece feels they could be challenging the likes of Real Madrid in the future.

Saudi Pro League - The strategy and impact of megastar footballers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ft. KSA Ministry of Sport, Saudi Pro League, SAFF, and Lega Serie A

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0000

This show was recorded at the World Football Summit Asia in December 2023 and focuses on the strategy behind the arrival of players like Ronaldo, Neymar and Benzema into the Saudi Pro League, as well as the impact it's had both on and off the pitch. The panel discuss the Saudi Pro League's marketing and media deals since the influx of new talent and the role it plays in bringing through young domestic talent.

Moderated by Andy Jackson, VP of Global Football Partnerships at Footballco, the panel includes:

Mohammed Awlia, General Manager of Strategic Planning, KSA Ministry of Sport
Carlo Nohra, COO, SPL
Romeo Jozak, Technical Director Future Falcons SAFF
Omar Al Hakim, Head of Business Development & Brand Partnerships, Lega Serie A

For more on the World Football Summit and future events, visit: www.worldfootballsummit.com

Kenny Annan-Jonathan - Crystal Palace and Mailroom Creative Agency: The evolving relationship between fashion and football

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Our guest is Kenny Annan-Jonathan, founder of the Mailroom Creative Agency and, as of last year, creative director at Crystal Palace. This appointment made Palace the first Premier League club to hire a creative lead to oversee apparel collections and fashion partnerships. We're talking to Kenny about the potential for club-led fashion, his role at Crystal Palace and how he believes the media need to understand players better as people to get the most from them.

Sky Sports: Transfer Deadline Day - Melissa Reddy discusses reporting on the January Transfer Window and reporting on Jurgen Klopp's time at Liverpool

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're speaking with Senior Reporter for Sky Sports, Melissa Reddy. We discuss the difficulties of reporting on the January Transfer Window, separating fact from fiction and how reporting transfers has matured to be more than just about who is going where. Also, with Mel having written the book on Jurgen Klopp (Believe Us) we discuss his approach to the media and what it's been like reporting on the Liverpool manager.

Wolves, LAFC & Mundial: The importance of long-form storytelling in football and the making of '1967: When L.A. Wolves conquered the USA'

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0000

This show was recorded in December at Soccerex Americas, in Miami. Featuring, Russel Jones (GM, Marketing & Commercial Growth at Wolves), Rich Orosco (Chief Brand Officer at Los Angeles Football Club) and Owen Blackhurst (Editor at MUNDIAL). Focusing on the story behind and the creation of 1967: When L.A. Wolves conquered the USA, which tells the story of how the English team Wolverhampton Wanders won the first professional soccer title in the U.S, the panel also covers the importance of long-form storytelling for clubs as they aim to grow fanbases at home and abroad.

Watch the film's trailer: https://youtu.be/_qt9Arr0uz0?si=dEOqvIUY103L6-eW

Watch the full film: https://youtu.be/sNcREGPDI6A?si=cL2_ryUQ_IGVC_Fs

Find out more: https://la.wolves.co.uk/

Buy LA Wolves merch: https://shop.wolves.co.uk/clothing/collections/la-wolves/

Allianz - The inside story on Allianz's football and stadium sponsorship strategy

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 07:00:00 -0000

We're talking to Sebastian Ochs, head of global football partnership for Allianz. With its name on seven football stadiums and more rumoured to be on the way, Sebastian tells us what Allianz look for when choosing stadiums to add to its portfolio and why it sponsors more stadiums than any other brand.

Also, with upwards of 90% of stadiums across major US sports having naming rights deals, upwards of 80% of Bundesliga stadiums but only 30% of Premier League stadiums Alex finds out what's behind this huge geographical disparity.

GMR FC: World Cup 2026 - What brands need to know to activate at the biggest World Cup ever

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Our guest on this show is Jessie Giordano, Executive Vice President for Global Sports at GMR FC, which is part of global experience agency GMR Marketing. Jessie joined us to discuss the opportunities and challenges for brands looking to activate around the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We covered what brands should know when it comes to activating around that tournament, what GMR FC experts have learned from previous World Cups, and how their experience activating at Super Bowl with the NFL can be applied to the biggest sporting tournament in the world. We also looked to the future to predict what will need to be done to ensure World Cup 2026 has a legacy that goes beyond Messi.

Detroit City FC: The story behind the club created to drive social change and how that effects its work with brands

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Detroit City FC were founded from a community beer league and have been driving social change in the city ever since. We speak to the club's co-founder and CEO, Sean Mann about how the club became the first professional sports team in the US to wear a shirt supporting LGBTQ rights, how it balances being a force for change in Detroit with success on the pitch and how all this affects their work with brand partners.

We also find out what it's like to experience a match at the Keyworth Stadium and how the Messi effect is or isn't trickling down to the USL. We also look ahead to World Cup 2026.

Taika Waititi: Directing football and telling the story of the worst team in the world in his new film, Next Goal Wins

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0000

We're talking to Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi about his new film Next Goal Wins. The film tells the story of the American Samoa football team and their quest to score just one goal following their historic 31-0 humbling by Australia in 2001.

Taika discusses the film as well as the difficulties of directing a football match, whether football takes itself too seriously and other sports stories he'd like to bring to the big screen.

EA Sports FC24: Choosing Haaland, the role of the game cover in FC24's marketing and the strategy behind EA Sports FC Futures

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0000

IOur guest is James Salmon, senior marketing director for EA Sports FC. We discuss why Erlin Haaland was the best choice to be the first EAFC cover star, the role of the cover in marketing FC24 and how FC Futures and female players in Ultimate Team signal the future for the series.

Messi, Kane and Kerr - The most marketable footballers with SportsPro's Michael Long

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:30:00 -0000

We're talking with Michael Long, editorial director at SportsPro about SportsPro’s annual list of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes (50MM). We discuss why Messi had to be number one, the benefits for 'brand Messi' in the US and if anyone can dethrone him next year.

We also talk about the increase in the marketability of women's football and the players driving it, as well what Harry Kane offers to brands that Neymar doesn't and why there are more footballers in the list than athletes from any other sport.

To find out more and view both the 50MM shortlist and the extended list of 125 athletes, head to https://50mm.sportspromedia.com/downloads/2023/download-the-top-125-list/

The top ten is below:

Lionel Messi
Lebron James
Alex Morgan
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Megan Rapinoe
Mikaela Shiffrin
Lewis Hamilton
Simone Biles
Kylian Mbappe
Max Verstappen

Goal Click - From North Korea to working with the USWNT, how Goal Click helps points the lens on the lesser known stories in football

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0000

On this show we're talking to Matthew Barrett, founder of Goal Click about their unique approach to football photography and storytelling. We hear about working with the USWNT and Concacaf, telling football stories in war zones and refugee camps and how using disposable cameras offers something not found in mobile photography.

To see the photography Matthew is referring to in this show, either visit the Goal Click website or follow them on Instagram.

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goalclick/

Web - https://www.goal-click.com/

EA Sports FC 24 content creator and esports caster, Brandon Smith on esports and life as a gaming content creator

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 06:24:00 -0000

On this show, we’re talking to streamer, content creator, and esports caster Brandon Smith. Brandon's career has been focused on the FIFA video game series, now EA Sports FC 24 and has seen him amass more than 2m followers across TikTok, Facebook Gaming, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Brandon discusses his own career, EA Sports FC as an esport and what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creating content on virtual football

PepsiCo: Mark Kirkham on how music, grassroots and gaming are helping PepsiCo reach the new generation of football fan

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0000

On this show, our guest is Mark Kirkham, SVP and chief marketing ffficer of PepsiCo’s International Beverages business. Mark talks about the role that music, grassroots and gaming play in the company's football strategy and PepsiCo's recently renewed UEFA Champions League partnership.

Mark also discusses PepsiCo's extensive history with music, what it takes to plan the Champions League final pre-game ‘Kick Off Show’ and with a 2024 Final at Wembley Stadium on the way, their expectations for the show.

Hashtag United - Much more than a YouTube football team and the realities of running the world's most modern non-league football club

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 06:58:00 -0000

They have a YouTube following greater than most teams in the Premier League and fans visiting from Australia, but what are the realities of running the most modern non-league football club?

We speak to Hashtag United's chief commercial officer, Seb Carmichael-Brown on what it's really like to run Hashtag United, from deals with adidas and Socios to chasing promotion and balancing the books in the Isthmian League's Premier Division (step three of the non-league pyramid).

Follow Hashtag United on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/HashtagUtd/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HashtagUnited

Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/hashtagutd

Follow Seb on social media

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/sebongolf

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sebcbrown4/

Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/sebcbrown4

Club Tigres Femenil - Growing the women's brand in North America and partnering with Barbie

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're talking to Carlos Valenzuela, vice president of operations and marketing at Club Tigres. Carlos joins us to explain how Club Tigres Femenil is growing its brand in North America and the strategy behind the launch of its English-language social accounts.

Carlos also explains their partnership with the record-breaking Warner Bros. film Barbie and how Club Tigres Femenil became the only football club in the world to partner with the most talked-about film of the year.

Juventus - The story behind Juventus' Creator Lab and the club's video content strategy

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 07:41:00 -0000

Joining us on this show are Mike Armstrong, chief marketing and communications officer at Juventus, and the club’s head of digital media, Marco Castellaneta. Mike and Marco join us to discuss Juventus’ Creator Lab, which creates more than 1,500 pieces of content for the club’s channels every month and has played a major role in generating 2bn more video views this year than last for the club!

The pair talk us through the role of Creator Lab and the stories behind Federico Chiesa - Back on Track, We The Next Gen and Giampaolo Sgura Black and White - three important but very different pieces of content from the Creator Lab.

Angel City FC, Gotham FC and Diageo: Building Brand Partnerships in Women's Football

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0000

On this show, we’re going to Cannes and bringing you a panel from Sport Beach, which was hosted by Stagwell Inc. during last month’s Cannes Lions.

This panel focused on building brand partnerships in women’s football and featured former U.S. Women’s National Team & Gotham FC goalkeeper and current Global Creative advisor for Gotham FC, Ashlyn Harris; actor and Angel City Football Club investor, Sophia Bush and SVP of North America Whiskey Portfolio and Global Baileys at Diageo, Sophie Kelly in conversation with ESPN veteran reporter Holly Rowe.

Stagwell is a global marketing network built to challenge the status quo and during Sport Beach they welcome leading names from sports, brands and media together for conversations based on the cultural zeitgeist of sport and its massive global market.

Diego Maradona - The story behind the definitive film on Maradona's time at Napoli ft. Director, Asif Kapadia and Editor, Chris King

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 06:30:00 -0000

On this show, we're re-publishing GOAL's 2019 interview with director, Asif Kapadia and editor, Chris King about their film, Diego Maradona. We discuss the challenges of working with Diego and the unique process behind the definitive film on Maradona's time at Napoli.

The interview was recorded live at the London Gala Screen of the film and is being published today, July 5th, 39 years to the day since he signed with Napoli. Diego Maradona, the film, is the definitive account of Diego's time in Naples and serves as a microcosm of his life.

The Tabloids to Ted Lasso - How the media covers sexuality and gender in football

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 06:30:00 -0000

This Pride Edition of the Footballco Business Podcast looks at how the media handles conversations about sexuality and gender identity in football.

Our guest host for this show is Jon Holmes, a journalist, media consultant and the founder of Sports Media LGBT+.

Jon is joined by Erin Williams, Sport Programmes Manager at Stonewall and Jack King. Jack covers film and TV for publications including GQ and Vulture, often focusing on LGBTQ+ characters and storylines.

Jon, Erin and Jack will discuss everything from the tabloids to Ted Lasso as they evaluate how the media has and does cover sexuality and gender in the beautiful game and how that treatment impacts LGBTQ+ fans.

Pien Meulensteen: Her career as a broadcaster | growing up around Manchester United | Being a woman in football

Mon, 29 May 2023 06:00:00 -0000

On This show we’re speaking with Pien Meulensteen, a sports presenter, reporter, and commentator working across Sky Sports, BBC Sport, Radio 5Live, CBS, and a number of other broadcasters.

Recently, Pien became the first female to call a live Premier League game on Sky Sports, and took home the 'One to Watch - On Air' award at this year's Sports Journalism Association Awards.

We talk to Pien about her own experiences at Manchester United and her career as a broadcaster and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

EA Sports: The creation of the EA Sports FC Brand with David Jackson, Vice President of Brand for EA SPORTS FC

Mon, 15 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this show, our guest is David Jackson, Vice President of Brand for EA SPORTS FC. David could be considered presiding over the biggest piece of brand work seen in football for decades: the creation of EA SPORTS FC, the brand that will replace FIFA as the title of the EA SPORTS football video game series. We talked to David about the creation of the FC visual identity, how the new brand goes beyond a logo, and what we can expect from it in the future.

Austin FC: What Matthew McConaughey is Really Like | Creating a unique brand | Building fan culture

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 13:19:00 -0000

On this show, we're talking to James Ruth, chief marketing officer at MLS club, Austin FC. James talks about how the Austin FC brand was created, what it’s like having Matthew McConaughey as a Minister of Culture and how all this translates into the stands to create the Austin FC match day atmosphere.

This atmosphere is driven by Austin FC’s unique supporters' culture, sitting at the centre of the club. To help give the supporter perspective, Alex and James joined by Rico Hernandez, VP of Los Verdes, and Christine Hanley VP of Austin Anthem.

Women's World Cup 2023 - 100 Days Out | Lessons from Euro 2022 | Reaching fans in US and UK | Marketing Australia & New Zealand

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0000

On this show, our guest is Jane Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer for Australia for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023. We also have a guest host with Morgan Brennan, Head of Indivisa (Footballco's women's football brand) taking over from our regular host, Alex Manby,

Morgan speaks to Jane about preparations for this summer's tournament, from the bid process to how it is they're reaching fans in the UK and US. Morgan and Jane also discuss the legacy of the 2022 Women's Euro and how Australia's own identity is coming through in its marketing.

Want to know more about women’s football? We, along with our women’s football brand Indivisa we have released our Women's Football Fandom 2023 report.

Covering ten territories and surveying more than 2,000 fans, the report provides insight into who is really watching women's football, why they watch, and how brands and rights holders can reach them during this Summer's tournament.

Download it now https://www.footballco.com/wwc-report

The Footballco Business Podcast is a show focused on the most innovative people working in the world of football media, brands and marketing.

Each episode features some of the most creative minds in the sport, getting their views on the business behind the beautiful game – from partnerships and branding to esports and new platforms.

Make sure you are following this show so you never miss an episode and find more from Footballco via Footballco on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Growing the Bundesliga Abroad Ahead of Der Klassiker - Peer Naubert, CMO at Bundesliga International

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 07:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're speaking withPeer Naubert, chief marketing officer for Bundesliga International. Alex and Peer discuss how the Bundesliga grows its fanbase abroad and how in an age of player-focused fans, competitions can strike a balance between bringing fans in through star players but not being left high and dry when those stars move on.

Also, ahead of Der Klassiker, we find out how the DFL uses this marque match to bring in fans without being overly reliant one a game that only happens twice a season.

The rise of the US soccer lifestyle and its relationship to culture – Mark Lowyns creative director of Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:52:00 -0000

This week, we're talking to Mark Lowyns, creative director at Orlando City, SC, and Orlando Pride and co-founder of Fly Nowhere, as well as being an American football culture connoisseur. Mark talks about the emergence of soccer culture in the US during the 80s and his own introduction to it before he made it his career. Mark covers the relationship soccer has with music and fashion, including looking to the future to predict where soccer as a creative outlet is going next.

Transfer Deadline Day Special: Unique Sports Group's MD Marlon Fleischman on the transfer window, players on social media, the World Cup and the role of agents

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0000

This week on the Footballco Business Podcast, we're talking to Marlon Fleischman, agent and MD of player management services agency Unique Sports Group. Marlon discusses both the World Cup and January transfer window as well as tackling the role of agents and the debate around players on social media.

Adidas Football - Creating Messi's World Cup Winning Shirt | Designing the 2022 World Cup kits | The best ever adidas kits

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0000

This week on the Footballco Business Podcast we're talking to Mateo Kossmann and Andrew Dolan, both Senior Product Managers for adidas Football, on what goes into designing World Cup football shirts.

The pair cover both the performance and aesthetic side of kit design, with a focus on the kits worn by Argentina and Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Here the stories behind the kits, what special considerations went into creating them for the conditions in Qatar and the shirts Mateo and Andrew love the most from the adidas archive

Paddy Power: How to hijack the World Cup with Lee Price, former Head of Mischief at Paddy Power

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 13:24:00 -0000

This week we're talking to Lee Price, former Head of Mischief at Paddy Power. During his time with the bookmaker, Lee was responsible for Rainbow Russians, Paddy Power's campaign for the 2018 World Cup which saw Paddy Power donating £10,000 to LGBTQ charities in Russia for every goal the Russian team scored during the tournament.

As well as talking about the creation of Rainbow Russians, Lee discusses other famous Paddy Power football campaigns, from 'painting' a George Cross on a polar bear to Nicklas Bendtner's pants and un-sponsoring Huddersfield Town's shirt.

Alexi Lalas: Signing Beckham at Galaxy | USA '94 | Growing US soccer's brand | USMNT World Cup predictions

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

This week on the Footballco Business Podcast is a 2022 World Cup Special with former US international and Fox Sports broadcaster Alexi Lalas. Alexi discusses USA '94 and how both fans and the media treated soccer in the US in the 1990s, as well as looking ahead to the USMNT's chances in Qatar.

He also discusses in detail what might be the most important transfer in MLS history, David Beckham to Madrid, and his role in bringing 'Brand Beckham' to the US.

Football Manager 2023 - The story behind the marketing of Football Manager, from working with Gundogan to the power of YouTubers

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:22:00 -0000

This week on the Footballco Business Podcast we're speaking to Alan Granger, Head of Brand and Marketing and Sports Interactive, the developer being the hugely successful Football Manager games.

Speaking to Alan ahead of the launch of Football Manager 2023 we discussed how they keep players coming back and how they bring in new fans. We also discuss player power in the form of famous fans like Griezmann and Gundogan and working with YouTubers and the importance of authenticity and their new partnership with UEFA.

Union Berlin - How Germany's coolest club is being successful while avoiding gentrification

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0000

This week we're speaking to Union Berlin's Christian Arbeit, a man who as well as being the club's communications officer is also their stadium announcer and possibly their biggest fan. We talk to Christian about the rise of Union and how this newfound success has (or hasn't) changed the club's identity. We also discuss the role of the stadium and the fans and how the club mirrors the city it was created in and represents.

United Soccer League (USL) - How the USL and its clubs engage local groups and differentiate themselves from MLS

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:08:00 -0000

This week we're speaking to Greg Lalas, Chief Marketing Officer of the fastest-growing soccer league in the world, the United Soccer League. Greg talks us through the US' relationship with football and why for football to grow in a country the size of the US there needs to be more on offer than just MLS.

Listen now to find out how clubs across its divisions engage fans on a local and US-wide level and how some of the USL's plans to look more European than American, including ideas around bringing relegation and promotion into US sport.

UEFA Women's Euro 2022 - Reaching new fans and working with brands with Kayleigh Grieve of UEFA

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0000

With the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 kicking off this month it felt like the perfect time to sit down with Kayleigh Grieve, Women's Football Marketing Manager at UEFA to discuss the forthcoming showcase event. Kayleigh discuss the challenge of attracting young girls into women's football, UEFA's goals for the tournament and also the challenges faced in making sure as many fans as possible can watch the matches in packed stadiums.

Ben Black and TikTok - How football brands can leverage TikTok and its stars

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0000

On this week's Footballco Business Podcast Alex Manby welcomes TikTok content creator Ben Black. Ben was an early adopter of TikTok (back when it was called Musically) and has gone on to build a huge audience on his platform that, in turn, has attracted some major brands looking to tap into that audience. Alex talks to Ben about the potential he saw in the platform in those early days, how he stays ahead of the game, how brands can work with TikTok creators and his plans for the World Cup.

The FA Cup - modern media consumption and reaching young fans with Ryan Armstrong of the Football Association

Tue, 10 May 2022 20:16:00 -0000

This week on the Footballco Business Podcast it is all about the most famous of all football competitions, the Emirates FA Cup, as it celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first-ever FA Cup Final. On the show is Ryan Armstrong, senior brand manager at the Football Association and the man in charge of marketing the oldest national football competition in the world.

Ryan talks about the competition's proud history, how it attempts to market itself to young fans and striking the balance of celebrating the past whilst also embracing the future! Alex and Ryan also talk about how the media consumption of the competition has changed through the years and how the FA aligns its content with that of the traditional TV broadcasters.

The Footballco Business Podcast is a show focused on the most innovative people working in the world of football media, brands and marketing. Each episode features some of the most creative minds in the sport, getting their views on the business behind the beautiful game.

DAZN - Growing women’s football fandom with the Women's Champions League

Mon, 02 May 2022 08:00:00 -0000

This week on the Footballco Business Podcast we're talking about the Women's Champions League with DAZN's VP of rights partner relations, Katie Smith. Alex and Kate also discuss DAZN's plans for women's football and what's worked so far, from record-breaking crowds to iconic moments.

Wolves, LAFC, Sabrina Comms & BOL on clubs becoming bigger than football.

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0000

We're off to Miami for this episode of The Footballco Business Podcast as we step on stage at Soccerex Americas with Wolves, LAFC, Sabrina Carroza and BOL all discussing how soccer clubs need to look outside of their sport to attract and engage fans. The panel discuss how areas like gaming, music and lifestyle have become integral to a modern soccer club's DNA and how that can be leveraged both in terms of fan engagement and commercially.

The panel in full:

Russell Jones (General Manager at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)

Rich Orosco (Chief Brand Officer at LAFC)

Sabrina Carroza (PR consultant and founder at Sabrina Comms)

Tiago Pinto (Founder & CEO at Bol)

Atlanta United - Creating soccer fan culture and engagement from the ground up

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Darren Eales, president of MLS team Atlanta United joins us to talk about creating a soccer team from scratch in a city dominated by major sports and growing to pack out the Mercedes Benz Arena. Darren discusses how they established their passionate fanbase, what was on his "to do" list when he became the club's first hire back in 2014 and what other football clubs around the world can learn from Atlanta's "fan first" approach.

He and Alex also discuss Atlanta's connection with the local Hip-Hop music scene AND Darren's infamous performance with rapper (and Atlanta fan) Waka Flocka Flame to celebrate Atlanta United making the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. You can watch that video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6us_hdAegks

Mundial - The role of football magazines in a digital age

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0000

For many football fans who look back on the 90s with fond memories, MUNDIAL magazine is somewhat of a bible. For those who work in the print industry, it is a blueprint. A beautiful magazine with well-told stories and an example of an incredibly high watermark of modern journalism. On this episode of The Footballco Business Podcast Alex speaks to one of the man behind the magazine, Owen Blackhurst.

Owen talks about the challenges of not only turning to print when the rest of the world was going digital but also about keeping the magazine going during the Covid crisis, his favorite cover stars and the future of MUNDIAL as a publication.

You can follow Mundial on Twitter and Instagram @MundialMag and order back issues of the magazine via the website http://mundialmag.com

Juventus - TikTok, Twitch and Dusan Vlahovic with Mike Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at Juventus

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0000

On this show, we're talking to Mike Armstrong, chief marketing officer for Italian football giants, Juventus. We're focusing on the club's success on TikTok and Twitch, the content that worked best, the growth potential within these channels and the strategy behind using them to announce the arrival of flagship signings such as Dusan Vlahovic.

You can see Juve's excellent TikTok and Twitch content via the below links:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juventus

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/juventus

J League - The Iniesta Effect with Kei Koyama, Global Business Officer at J League

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:00:00 -0000

Alex Manby sits down with J League's global business officer, Kei Koyama to talk about the future of the competition and how a domestic football league, such as Japan’s J League, grows its brand and status. They also discuss the impact that European superstars such as Andrés Iniesta had on the league's reputation outside Japan, the league's ground-breaking rights deals and the vision for growth and expansion in the future.

Media.Monks - How brands can work with women’s football

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:22:00 -0000

We're looking at the world of digital innovation in women's football and how brands can better understand and activate in this space. To do this. we're speaking to Nora Henriksson head of sport and managing director at Media.Monks.

Inter Milan - Rebranding the club for the digital age

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 08:19:00 -0000

We're speaking with Luca Danovaro, chief marketing officer at Inter Milan, about how the club went about their re-brand, navigating that relationship with the fans and what the future holds for one of the most iconic clubs in European football.

Peter Crouch - Growing his brand and social media in football

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:50:00 -0000

Peter Crouch talks about his work with Dulwich Hamlet and how he's coped with life after football, the pressures of social media on the modern professional and why he would have loved to have been a pro in the 1970s.

Stonewall - Rainbow Laces Day and tackling LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Football

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0000

20% of sports fans believe that anti-LGBTQ+ language is harmless if it's just meant as "banter". That is the mentality that Stonewall seeks to challenge every year with their Rainbow Laces campaign - their annual day of messaging that sport is everyone's game! Ahead of the 2021 campaign Alex Manby spoke to Erin Williams, sport engagement manager for Stonewall, about this year's 'Lace Up and Speak Up' campaign, the impact that Rainbow laces are having on the acceptance of LGBTQ+ communities in sport and how Premier League stars like Jordan Henderson and Conor Coady has helped grow awareness around the globe.

You can find out more about the work Stonewall do and Rainbow Laces Day via: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/rainbow-laces

World Freestyle Football Association: - Growing freestyle and its place in fan engagement with founder, Dan Wood

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Dan Wood, co-funder and head of partnerships at the World Freestyle Football Association takes us into the world and culture of freestyle football. Hear Dan talking about the growth of freestyle as its own sporting entity, the value of social media in reaching and engaging with new and existing audiences and how the WFFA works with brands around the world to deliver campaigns.

You can find more on the WFFA here: https://thewffa.org

Philips and PSV: The evolution of the oldest brand partnership in football with Head of Brand and Sponsorships, Guus Pennings

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0000

We're talking with Guus Pennings, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at Philips about the partnership between Philips and PSV - the longest-running sponsorship in football. Guus discusses how both parties have kept that relationship fresh in an ever-changing footballing landscape. He also talks about how Philips assist PSV from a footballing perspective by exploring new technologies and why the brand made the decision to give up its long-standing shirt sponsorship deal.

Puma and Umbro: Designing ground-breaking kits for two of the biggest brands in football with Rob Warner from the Spark Design Academy

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0000

This episode of the Footballco Business Podcast is all about football shirts; the technology, the design and the big-money deals that lie underneath the thin layer of polyester that sparks so much passion amongst fans.

Alex Manby sits down with former Puma and Umbro designer Rob Warner to chat about his experiences working with teams like England and Manchester City, his role in one of the most controversial kits of all time and what it is like pitching ideas to football legends like Hristo Stoichkov.

Coming Soon... The Footballco Business!

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 07:48:00 -0000

Welcome to the Footballco Business Podcast: A show featuring the most innovative people working in the world of football media, brands and marketing.

This podcast will give unrivalled access to some of the most creative minds in sport, getting their views on the business of the beautiful game - from partnerships and branding to esports and new platforms.

Plus, we'll look at what the future holds for fan engagement and how rights holders, brands and players are rewriting the football rulebook

There is a brand new conversation every week so make sure you are following this show wherever you are listening to podcasts and find out more at footballco.com.

The Footballco Business podcast… coming soon!