Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:
Paul Samuels from AEG Global Partnerships is the best presenter I’ve seen.
Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours):
I’m not sure anyone will ever top Nike’s France 98 campaign with the Brazilian team playing football in the airport.
Best agency (that isn’t yours):
CSM have done some mega stuff in the last couple of years in my space.
Best young industry talent:
Lee Warner from JOE Media. He’s doing great things over there especially his work with Hotels.com and Coca-Cola. He’s unbelievable Geoff. Also a big fan ofBen Polak (he’s in his 30s but looks younger) from Brandsmiths the law firm doing some cool work in sports IP (if legal work can be described as ‘cool’).
Best sporting event attended:
I’ll keep it non-football here so I’m not being too biased. Watching England playing test cricket on a Saturday at Lords with my mates in the summer is about as good as it gets. Your wines, your beers, your olives, your dips, your crosswords, your pickled goods...and cricket.
Best sporting event on TV:
Again away from football I’d have to say England winning the rugby world cup in 2003 in Australia. I watched it at a pub at 7.30am during my first year at university. Even though rugby isn’t my number one sport it was still an incredible match to watch.
Best brand ambassador:
It depends on the brand and their objectives (the right answer) but for now I’ll say Raheem Sterling. He’s authentic.
Best industry event or conference:
I’ve always enjoyed Soccerex for the quality of their speakers (and the free pens and stress balls). I remember once seeing Tony Adams speaking brilliantly on addiction and then bumping into Ossie Ardiles in the toilet afterwards (he’d been doing a particularly noisy number 2)
Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:
Not really a film but the bit in the The Last Dance about how MJ signed up with Nike is amazing (as is the rest of the series which I somehow managed to watch 3 times in 2 months during Lockdown I)
Best book recommendation:
The Miracle of Castel di Sangro is my favourite sports book. Non-sport I’d go for The Godfather.
Best bar or pub:
Mason Arms pub in the Lake District
Best restaurant:
The Hawksmoor. I know you didn’t ask but their mac n cheese is astounding. I’d definitely have it as my side dish if I were on Death Row.
Best holiday resort:
Sicily tied with Buenos Aires
Best box set:
The Sopranos will never be topped although Succession may run it close.
Best influence on your career:
A boss or two, a few friends and a couple of family members but I wouldn’t want to name any for fear of inflating their egos...
Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):
Rick Stein to host, cook and talk about his travels, Bob Mortimer to tell ridiculous anecdotes, Jerry Seinfeld to make jokes and Larry David to make everyone feel uncomfortable.
Best job in the sports biz:
3rd choice goalkeeper for a top 6 Premier League football team. Basically Scott Carson.
Best professional regret:
I try not to let myself regret career decisions so I’ll pass on this one.
Best skill you most covet:
Does height count? No. Okay then, small talk.
Best trait you admire in others:
Honesty and confidence
Best overrated virtue:
An elevated job title
Best ambition:
I guess the last year has probably demonstrated that happiness and good
health outweighs everything else