Shorts: Pitch, Burnley Fc, ECB
UK integrated marketing agency Pitch Marketing Group has announced that it has transitioned ownership of the business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
Pitch describes the move as an opportunity to enable ‘its employees to have greater involvement in the future success of the business, and to ensure the long-term growth of the agency.’
The founder of the company, Henry Chappell, has transferred all shares to Pitch’s Employee Ownership Trust as part of the company’s aim to ‘remain independent and allow investment in future growth plans.’
Through the Trust, Pitch’s 40-plus employees will indirectly own a 100% stake in the business.
Henry Chappell, Chief Executive of Pitch Marketing Group, said, “I am incredibly proud of what Pitch has achieved over the past 21 years, and it is all due to the amazing people who have worked at the agency.
“As we look ahead, with the aim of building an agency that can continue to grow for another 20 years, we felt that the employee ownership model would give us the best platform for our staff to thrive, to allow the agency to further invest in our creative capabilities, and to ensure we can stay at the top of our game by continuing to create the best possible work for our clients. It’s an exciting new era for Pitch.”
Pitch provides a wide range of strategic and creative marketing services for a portfolio of brand clients including Asics, BT, Beats, Red Bull and Sports Direct; as well as for global sports properties such as Formula 1 and the Premier League.
Former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife Kealia Watt, a former USA soccer player, have announced an investment in Burnley FC.
JJ Watt, a three-time defensive player of the year winner, retired from the game at the end of the 2022 season after 12 seasons with the Houston Texans and Kealia enjoyed a successful club career with Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars, representing the US national team on three occasions in 2016.
The couple, who are thought to have always held an interest in English football, announced their minority stake investment into the English Football League champions on social media.
Kealia commented, “We went to Burnley, visited the town and we just fell in love. It’s such an incredible place.
“What Vincent (Kompany) has done with this team is unbelievable. We cannot wait to watch this [next] season.
“We’re so excited. It’s going to be so cool – we’ll be there on opening day. We’re counting down the days, we cannot wait.”
Burnley will play in English football’s top flight next season after securing promotion to the Premier League.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Penny Avis, Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE, Jennifer Owen Adams and Gareth Williams as its newest Non-Executive Directors.
The three-year appointments follow the loss of Brenda Trenowden CBE, who passed away in August 2022, and a number of current Board members leaving.
Penny Avis, currently the Senior Independent Director at the PGA European Tour, and Baroness Manzoor, Chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service, will become Independent Non-Executive Directors, while Jennifer Owen Adams, currently Chair of Cricket Wales, and Gareth Williams, Chair of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, join as Cricket Non-Executive Directors.
ECB Chair Richard Thompson, commented, “It gives me great pleasure in welcoming Zahida, Jennifer, Penny and Gareth onto our Board. They are all exceptional leaders with demonstrable strategic experience and expertise across a range of different fields, and are all passionate about our sport.
“The ECB is privileged to be able to call upon their knowledge, communication skills, integrity, judgement, and independence. We look forward to having all four leading and supporting the growth of cricket in England and Wales at this vital time for our game, as we seek to make cricket the most inclusive sport in the UK.”
UK sports radio station talkSPORT has secured the radio rights to a host of upcoming boxing matches after agreeing a deal with promotion BOXXER.
The deal includes the much-anticipated rematch between Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr., Joshua Buatsi vs Pawel Stepien on Saturday 6th May and Lawrence Okolie taking on Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO Cruiserweight Championship at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.
Head of talkSPORT, Liam Fisher said,“talkSPORT is THE destination for boxing in the UK. From the live fights, the trash talk and all the behind the scenes content – our team will face down all the stories to get fans in the ring with these warriors. It will be unmissable entertainment and we can’t wait to get started next weekend”.
London-based media business iD Sports Media has acquired boxing publisher Boxing News.
The motivation behind the deal is to increase Boxing News’ digital presence. The publication was traditionally focused on print.
Rob Tebbutt, ID Sports Media Managing Director, said, “It’s an honour and a privilege to complete the acquisition of one of the biggest sporting institutions in Boxing News.
“Since 1909, Boxing News has led the way in its field as a fiercely independent, impartial news source for boxing fans. It is with an immense sense of pride that we at iD Sports Media have the opportunity to build on over 100 years of heritage and take Boxing News forward together.
“The opportunity to add to the splendid work of the BN team was one that is a dream come true for myself as a lifelong boxing fan. I am full of excitement and optimism and have no doubt that this merger will provide a much-needed source of independent and innovative coverage of the world’s greatest sport. I would like to thank our investors KHI for their backing and support of our vision and cannot wait to get started on this new adventure.”
