Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:
When I used to work at Converse, the marketing director, Manuel was a great pitch presenter, he knew how to make everyone buy into his vision. He taught me a lot and has shaped my pitching.
Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours):
It has to be the Adidas ‘Rent A Pred’ campaign, they did an activation where 5 aside teams could Whatsapp a hotline and get an Adidas predator player to join their team if they needed an extra player. They had some of the best ballers show up to play with these teams.
Best agency (that isn’t yours):
Wieden + Kennedy. The story of Wieden + Kennedy starting off with Nike as their first account and still being their current agency is incredible to me. I studied a lot of their work when starting my agency and still pay close attention to the work they do now.
Best young industry talent:
Mayowa Quadri has taken the industry by storm, he is the man behind Versus. Versus is a platform which champions the future of football and its rising influence on new music and culture. On top of that he also has a well known podcast called Stoppage Time TV and regularly features on Wright’s house (Ian Wright’s
podcast)
Best sporting event attended:
In October my business partner, Matthew, and I went to watch the Miami Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars NFL game in London. It was our first time watching an NFL game live, we loved the atmosphere and experience around the game. We hope one day to work with some NFL players and teams.
Best sporting event on TV:
Has to be the Olympics, seeing all these athletes come out to represent their home countries is very inspiring and beautiful.
Best brand ambassador:
Anthony Joshua does a really good job being a brand ambassador for the likes of Underarmour, Lucozade, Land Rover, Audemars Piguet, and many other top brands. He is extremely marketable.
Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:
Jerry Maguire. I love the film, especially the ‘show me the money' scene and the ending. It highlights the beautiful side of the sports business. Jerry keeping to his word, delayed gratification, the importance of knowing your worth and the value you bring.
Best book recommendation:
The E-myth changed everything for me, it made me start thinking about systems and making sure I’m working on my business and not in my business.
Best bar or pub:
The rooftop at Shoreditch House, amazing views and vibes.
Best restaurant:
Array Essex, a restaurant and bar near me. They have the best squid I've ever tasted. The interior is very aesthetically pleasing and although it is quite pricey it's worth it.
Best holiday resort:
I haven’t stayed at any resorts but one I really want to stay at is The Palms in Turks and Caicos.
Best Box Set:
The Wire, 10/10 series, I can’t recommend it enough!
Best influence on your career:
I have a few great mentors but the best influence has to be my mentor, Chris Kenna, who constantly shows me that I am capable of achieving much more than I can imagine. He’s living proof that I can.
Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):
Phil Knight (below), Maverick Carter, Rich Paul, Tim Grover, Lewis Hamilton.
Best professional regret:
No professional regrets, i just wished i was audacious from the start and shot my shot at the bigger brands from the very beginning.
Best job in the sports biz:
I used to think being a sports agent but I honestly now think my job, a sports marketer. Helping athletes tell their story, build their brands and engage with their fans, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Best trait you admire in others:
Resilience, I admire those that make sweet lemonade out of the sour lemons life throws at them.
Best overrated virtue:
Organisation, planning without execution adds up to nothing. Planning and putting together a strategy is great but only a quarter of the work, the rest is execution, that’s what really matters.
Best skill you most covet:
Curiosity. Following my curiosity has led me to my passions, opened many doors for me and connected me with the right people. Following my curiosity also means that I am a life long learner, learning is not something I do once, it’s something I continuously do.
Best ambition:
To build something to be proud of and inspire others that look like me that they are capable of achieving much more than they think with the right strategy and work ethic.