Csm Strengthens Cricket Talent With Acquisition
UK-based global integrated marketing agency CSM Sport & Entertainment (CSM) has formally acquired Phoenix Management Group, one of England’s major cricket talent management businesses.
Phoenix Management Group was set up in 2018 by former professional cricketer Neil Fairbrother. The company manages some of the biggest names in English cricket, including Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Stuart Broad, Liam Livingstone, Nat Sciver and current men’s Test captain Ben Stokes. Phoenix also looks after several ex-players and media personalities including Isa Guha, David Lloyd and Michael Vaughan.
The acquisition further bolsters CSM’s talent offering with Phoenix’s players and personalities joining CSM’s existing cricket clients, which include Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Pope, Reece Topley and Matthew Potts. CSM also currently holds a strong presence in rugby athlete management.
Matt Vandrau, Group CEO at CSM, said, “We are delighted to have brought Phoenix Management Group into the CSM business. Having played cricket with and against Neil in the 90s, I know first-hand how driven and committed he is. It’s little surprise he went on to build such a successful talent management agency.
“Neil’s expertise, coupled with our own experience in this space, positions us collectively as the undisputed market leaders within English cricket both commercially and from a talent management perspective. We look forward to working with Neil and his team.”
Neil Fairbrother, Founder of Phoenix Management Group, added, “Everyone here at Phoenix is excited by the prospect of working closely with CSM. As an established global agency, operating across the full spectrum of sport and entertainment, we feel they can help elevate our business to a new level. We can’t wait to get going and look forward to what’s in store for the whole Phoenix family in the months and years ahead.”
CSM were advised by transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson throughout the acquisition process and the shareholders of Phoenix Management Group received support from Seneca, Laytons and Claritas.
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