Shorts: TNT Sports, Chelsea, Bright Partnerships

Pay-TV provider TNT Sports has revealed Pete Thomas as the company’s Head of Football.

Thomas joins the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network from Whisper, where he served as Head of Sport.

Throughout his career, which spans more than two decades, Thomas has worked across numerous international sporting events, including the Premier League, NFL, European football and rugby.

At present, TNT Sports’ UK football rights portfolio includes the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA competitions, Italy’s topflight Serie A, and Australia’s A leagues. 

“I’m delighted to be joining TNT Sports at such an exciting time, and to have the opportunity to work across the biggest competitions in club football with such an ambitious and progressive broadcaster,” said Thomas.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with the hugely talented team that has set such high standards across TNT Sports broadcasts, to work together to continue the brilliant storytelling that has become synonymous with TNT Sports.”

Chelsea have appointed Daniel McEwan as their new Director of Partnerships, following his six-and-a-half-year tenure at McLaren Racing.

McEwan officially began his role this month, and reports to Chelsea’s Chief Revenue Officer, Casper Stylsvig, who joined the Blues in November 2023.

In his new position, McEwan will play a key role in shaping Chelsea’s commercial strategy, including the search for a new front-of-shirt sponsor.

Chelsea have been without a primary sponsor for the 2024/25 season, although the club recently revealed Fever as its sleeve sponsor and BingX as its training kit sponsor.

McEwan joins Chelsea during a period of significant leadership changes following the club’s 2022 takeover by a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Recent transitions include Chris Jurasek stepping down as chief executive in September 2024, succeeded by Jason Gannon, and Stylsvig’s arrival from AC Milan.

Control of Chelsea Women’s team recently shifted in to BlueCo, the vehicle used by Boehly and Clearlake to acquire Chelsea.

This transition established the women’s side as a standalone business with a dedicated commercial team.

In his career, McEwan has held senior roles at McLaren, as well as agencies such as CSM Sport and Entertainment.

UK-based Sport and entertainment agency Bright Partnerships has expanded by opening an office in Melbourne, after setting up its New York office in 2023.

The Melbourne office will strengthen Bright Partnerships’ support for global sponsorship clients in the APAC region, where it has been delivering activations since 2014.

This expansion comes as Australia prepares to host major sporting events, including this year’s British and Irish Lions tour, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, presenting significant opportunities in the region.

Tiffany Broome, who has been with Bright Partnerships since 2015, will lead the Melbourne office as General Manager.

Broome brings extensive experience managing partnerships including the Rugby World Cup, Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open, MotoGP, and the Olympics.

Rob Bruce, Bright Partnerships agency co-Founder, said, “We are thrilled to be opening an office in Melbourne.

“It is a territory close to our hearts as our London office has always been heavily populated with sport-loving, professional Australians.”

Manchester United’s men’s and women’s teams will feature the RED logo on their shirts during matches on 10th and 11th May, in support of global health initiatives.

Under the terms of Qualcomm Technologies’ partnership with Manchester United, the Snapdragon logo, which typically appears on the team’s shirts, can be replaced once per season with a charitable organisation’s logo.

For the 2024/25 season, Qualcomm Technologies has chosen (RED) to highlight its campaign addressing global health injustice.

Fans will have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition Manchester United shirts featuring the RED logo, along with other apparel.

Proceeds will go to the Global Fund, with matching contributions provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Omar Berrada, Chief Executive Officer at Manchester United, said, “We are proud to use the front of the Manchester United shirt to tell the story of the vital work undertaken by Red to fight against health injustice.

“Qualcomm Technologies shares our ambition to use football as a force for good and this activation underlines that aspiration, especially at a time when the world faces enormous challenges in helping the most vulnerable in society.”

DAZN has hired Oscar Vilda as the UK-headquartered media company’s new CEO of Spain and Portugal.

From next month, Vilda will replace Bosco Aranguren, who joined DAZN Spain in 2022, and has overseen significant growth during his tenure, with both revenue and the number of subscriptions doubling.

Vilda previously served as CEO of telecommunications firm Finetwork.

“Being part of the DAZN project, driven by the ambition of its directors and shareholders to turn the brand into the global home of sport and a meeting point for all fans, is probably one of the most exciting challenges I have faced in my professional career,” said Vilda.

“Contributing to offering unique and specific responses to the needs of a specific type of customer, in a transparent way and taking advantage of the best available technology, makes this challenge even more exciting.”

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