Jonathan Neill
Commercial Director
Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:
Tanayah Sam is an amazing speaker with a harrowing but uplifting life
story, who is now doing fantastic things helping young people find a path through life using sport.
Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours)
Channel 4, Meet the Superhumans - it changed perceptions.
Best agency (that isn’t yours):
I really like TwelfthMan – great people, great culture and great work. Plus they have a cool bar in their office.
Best young industry talent:
Rachel Stringer – she’s doing great things in TV presenting, and expanding into production, content and esports. She’s also a member of our fantastic Business Advisory Group at RLWC2021.
Best sporting event attended:
England v Scotland at the old Wembley for Euro 96. I went with my Dad who got me into football, it was a boiling hot day, we’re both Spurs fans and Gazza scores that incredible second goal.
Best sporting event on TV:
FIFA World Cup – a festival of football.
Best brand ambassador:
Michael Jordan – created his own multi-billion dollar brand at Nike which has also had a huge cultural impact.
Best industry event or
Very fortunate to have been with AEG to The Grammys in Los Angeles on a couple of occasions, where their philosophy is “this isn’t to talk work, it’s to get to know you better.”
Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:
Graham Taylor – An Impossible Job.
Best book recommendation:
The Glory Game, Hunter Davies. I love the nostalgia of sport and this is
such an insightful book after the author spent a season with the Tottenham
team during 1971/72.
Best bar or pub:
The Bridewell in Liverpool, it’s a pub in an old prison – best landlords in the
business too!
Best restaurant:
The Cliff, Barbados – such a unique and amazing location.
Best holiday resort:
Sugar Beach, St Lucia.
Best box set:
The Blacklist or Ozark.
Best influence on your career:
My parents – role models, taught me principles and defined who I am.
Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):
Bill Nicholson, Oliver Reed, Winston Churchill, Tina Turner, Neil Armstrong, Queen Elizabeth II.
Best job in the sports biz:
Playing for Tottenham Hotspur.
Best professional regret:
I don’t really do regrets - perhaps not working overseas as yet.
Best skill you most covet:
Being multilingual.
Best trait you admire in others:
The ability to come up with great, original and simple creative ideas.
Best overrated virtue:
Moderation.
Best ambition:
Fulfil my potential and enjoy what I do.
