As a buzzing day at Stamford Bridge becomes a bustling evening in its environs, welcome to your on-the-button round-up of The Leaders Sport Business Summit 2018. We can’t promise this will be comprehensive, but it should at least provide a few nuggets from what was an action-packed programme once again.
A shout out to our men on the ground, Richard Clarke, Jake Cohen, Kennedell Amoo-Gottfried, and John Portch for providing the majority of the gobbets in this communiqué, and to our main partners Activision Blizzard, Aspire Zone Foundation, Nielsen and ONE Championship, and indeed a hefty pat on the back to all the winners of this year’s Leaders Sports Awards. A whale of a time was had last night at the Natural History Museum, but everyone was out in force, sore heads and all, on the conference floor bright and early this morning.
We’ve been to Frankie’s for some HotelPlanner drinks. I think we saw you there. And as we head off into the night, time to catch up on a business card-busting day below:
Seen:
- It’s been an interesting Leaders Week for clothing. Plenty of suits -- grey, navy -- but the odd splash of colour has livened things up a little. Boris Becker had to borrow a slightly more sober tie at the Leaders Sports Awards on Monday night, and award winner Cynthia Mumbo came in a vibrant number she’d designed herself. Virgin Atlantic CMO Claire Cronin, meanwhile, wore an accidentally on-brand lipstick-patterned dress, which is, she says, Richard Branson’s wife’s favourite. Best Dressed Award though: 49ers President Al Guido, of course. Again.
- La Liga Chief Communications Officer Joris Evers is a paid up convert to kabaddi. Chatting backstage to Star India’s Ipsita Dasgupta, Evers was rapt as he watched a full 40-minute encounter on Dasgupta’s phone.
Heard:
- Plenty of discussion backstage and in the halls on Eleven Sports’ decision to flout the 3pm blackout rules with its recent broadcasts of La Liga games. It’s clear the OTT disruptor has plenty of support – if not quite out and proud - but a fair number of detractors too.
Did someone say hashtag?
Matt Scott: Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani tells #leadersweek that he has received lots of takeover approaches, valuing the club at “double what I invested in it”. But he’s not interested in selling, saying he wants to become one of the “top-eight brands in the Premier League”. #LUFC
Scott Bowers: First class @LeadersBiz session on creating the ultimate digital customer experience with Claire Cronin of Virgin Atlantic and @AlGuido of 49ers. Proper insights. Well moderated @rscibetti #LeadersWeek
Dr Tom Markham: Possibly the greatest @LeadersBiz session ever discussing @LoveIsland v @BritishBakeOff! @FootballLaw and @SkySportsDavid all over it! #LeadersWeek
Annamarie Phelps: Fabulous day 1 @LeadersBiz #LeadersWeek great panels, insights and discussions and good to catch with so many old friends can’t wait for day 2; more of the same please
Follow this link to the rest of the wrap-up.
