Data-driven sports marketing agency Two Circles "reshuffled its executive team to expand internationally as it looks to play a bigger role in the expansion of GroupM's sports marketing offering," according to Seb Joseph of THE DRUM. The agency "is setting up a mainland Europe team to be based in Switzerland" as well as funneling resources to the U.S. through the ESP Properties business, which is being positioned by WPP following its acquisition last May as a next generation sports marketing agency. To successfully exploit both markets, Two Circles "has brought in and promoted talent;" Monsoon Accessorize Operations Dir Matthew Entwistle joins as group managing director, while former Guardian Head of Membership Dale Kirsop has been named commercial operations director. Existing members of the Two Circles senior team Phil Stephan, Jackie Hunter and Kristian Gotsch "have been elevated to lead the agency’s global consulting offer, technology development and its Swiss offering respectively." Two Circle’s founders "will take on new roles," with CEO Matt Rogan becoming chairman and Gareth Balch taking over his responsibilities. Rogan "will now take on the larger role of devising the growth strategy for ESP Properties." Balch said, "The international platform afforded to our business through ESP Properties and GroupM has accelerated our move to the next level. Our key focus now will be on consolidating our reputation by continuing to deliver quality client work across all client revenue streams -- fan, brand and media" (THE DRUM, 2/15).
