Chris Soult 

Sports PR & Marketing Consultant

Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen  

Henry Chappell at Pitch – a natural presenter with boundless energy and charisma.

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Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours) 

Sky’s ‘Whole New Ball Game’ campaign for the Premier League launch in 1992. Completely transformed football and the product we see today. 

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Best agency (that isn’t yours)

Two Circles – identified the power and possibilities of data before it became fashionable. 

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Best young industry talent 

From a broader marketing perspective, I’m always hugely impressed with Steven Bartlett, CEO of Social Chain, whenever I see or hear him. He nails the art of being hyper-relevant while articulating simple and effective leadership techniques that can be applied in any business

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Best sporting event attended

Last year’s Cricket World Cup while working with Uber Eats was pretty special – I missed out on the Final but it was great to see three of England’s group games en route to winning the tournament.

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Best sporting event on TV

Wimbledon – continues to seamlessly fuse the traditional with the latest technology and synonymous with long, balmy summer evenings (when it’s not raining!)

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Best brand ambassador 

Not a brand ambassador per se but the work Marcus Rashford has been doing recently in support of local charities has been phenomenal. It’s refreshing to finally see the work a lot of young footballers do in their communities getting the credit it deserves.

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Best Industry Event or Conference

Sport Industry Awards – it’s not called the Oscars of the sports world for nothing!

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Best film containing a scene depicting the sports 

The Damned United – some great lessons in people management and proof that the cream will always rise to the top.

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Best book recommendation

Africa Solo: My World Record Race from Cairo to Cape Town, by Mark Beaumont – an incredible story of human endurance and perseverance. 

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Best pub or bar

Right now, any would do, but probably 230 Fifth in New York for the views. And I’m still looking for a new local that beats my old stomping ground of The Antelope in Surbiton.

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Best restaurant

The Store in Croydon is a great new local find.  

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Best holiday resort

Costa Rica – a picture perfect oasis of calm and harmony in an otherwise turbulent world.

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Best box set

Mad Men – unbelievable attention to detail from an aesthetic POV and a must-watch for anyone in the creative industries. 

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Best influence on your career

I’ve learned plenty from people over the years (both good and bad!), but a special shout out to Emma Newell – moulded me from a raw and naive graduate fresh out of university to someone with the belief and ambition to go on and make a career in the sports industry. 

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Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6)

Brian Clough (a must for any Derby fan!), Jimi Hendrix, Levison Wood, Barack Obama, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jamie Oliver (for the food!)

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Best job in the sports biz 

Professional golfer. Potential for a 30+ year career traveling the world and getting plenty of fresh air – absolute dream. 

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Best professional regret

Lots. But we can’t change the past so best to take them on the chin and move on.

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Best skill you most covet

The ability to play any sort of musical instrument! 

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Best trait you admire in others 

Teamwork – if someone isn’t pulling in the same direction as everyone else, the wheels soon come off. 

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Best overrated virtue

Working long hours just to prove ‘value’ – the most rounded and productive individuals are the ones that aren’t chained to their desks.

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Best ambition 

To see the sports industry emerge largely intact from COVID-19 and become more collaborative as a result. 

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