First Artist & Mission Sports Announce Merger

14 Sep 2016 | tshego

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First Artist and Mission Sports Management have announced a merger, with the formation of First Artist Mission.

The agencies, which between them have been running for more than 45 years, have formed the majority basis of First Artist Mission, which has also incorporated another football-specialist agency, Next Gen, to their group.

Specialising in talent management, sponsorship and football consultancy, brand management and PR, First Artist Mission will represent many high-profile names and up-and-coming stars from football, cricket, Olympics, Paralympics, and broadcast, including Kevin Pietersen, Jordan Ibe (below), Jason Roy, Ellie Simmonds, Steve Bruce, Dieter Hecking, Neil Lennon, Kortney Hause, Jim White, Jack Laugher and Steve Cram.

Mission Sports’ MD, Adam Wheatley will act as CEO for First Artist Mission, while former CEO of First Artist and football agent, Jon Smith, will act as chairman, and highly experienced football agent, Phil Smith, as COO.

Four-time Ashes and World Cup-winning cricketer Pietersen is also a company director.

Jon Smith said: “We are delighted to finally announce this hugely exciting merger between two of the most respected and successful agencies in the sports and entertainment industry.

“Both First Artist and Mission Sports Management have had countless opportunities to merge and join others over the years, but only now and in this guise did it feel right.

“We’re delighted to have some of the most exciting football starlets on our books, in addition to many of the finest names from the worlds of cricket, Olympics and Paralympics and broadcast on our roster.

“Excitingly, this is just the start for First Artist Mission. We’re determined to grow further in the sports and entertainment dimensions and cement our place as the leading management and representation agency.”

Ellie Simmonds secures gold at Rio 2016

CEO Wheatley commented: “Incorporating all our expertise and experience, First Artist Mission will offer a fully holistic management and consultancy service, which we have no doubt will be industry-leading.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to ensure all bases are covered over here and with our fantastic pool of talent and wealth of expertise throughout the team, we’re very confident the future will be very exciting for everyone connected with First Artist Mission.”

Pietersen added: “This is a very exciting chapter for us as an agency. Having been involved in sport for a long time now, I know exactly what’s important from a management agency and how to get the best out of clients.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the brilliant team at First Artist Mission and hopefully using my experience and knowledge to help out along the way.”

First Artist was involved in the formation of the Premier League and was instrumental in assisting Sky launch this in 1992. While guiding the careers of the likes of Les Ferdinand, Ruud Gullit, Andriy Arshavin and Gianfranco Zola, Jon broke the British transfer record on three consecutive occasions, while Phil has been involved in more than 850 player transfers, both from representation and club brokerage perspectives.

Mission Sports Management was formed by Wheatley and Ian Botham in 2000 and has since managed some of the most high-profile names in global sport.