Square 1 Consulting nets Australia World Cup bid role
January 26th, 2010Football Federation Australia has brought in London-based Square 1 Consulting to support its bid for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups.
The FFA explained that it had turned to the agency to ‘bolster its advocacy team and help build the international profile of the bid’ in recognition of the ‘increasing level of media, advocacy and communications work to be undertaken outside Australia’.
The organisation also announced the appointment of Joanna Burns, a founding partner of UK event management firm Alexander Ross, to look after overseas events and coordinate the international comms and relations aspects of the bid from London.
Nine nations have applied to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments, including England for the 2018 tournament. Other countries vying to host one of the World Cups include Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Mexico, Russia, South Korea and the United States as well as a combined bid from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Square 1 Consulting, led by chairman David Bick, is a specialist in the business of sport and has a dedicated offshoot Square 1 Sports led by director Paul McGoohan.
Recently the agency was brought in on a project basis by Watford Leisure (the parent co of Watford Football Club) for crisis comms work as the club faced administration shortly before Christmas. Reporting to CEO Julian Winter, Square 1 led stakeholder comms before the threat of administration was averted.
Key Appointments Made To Australia’s 2018/2022 World Cup Bid Team
January 26th, 2010With the bid process for the 2018/2022 World Cups entering the decisive phase this year Football Federation Australia has made a number of new appointments.
FFA announced today that Rod Allen will assume the role of Head Of Media Relations.
He will report to FFA CEO Ben Buckley and be responsible for all aspects of FFA media, community and public relations and the local media aspects of FFA’s World Cup bid.
Rod joined the FFA in November as Senior Football Media Adviser after working as a media consultant to some of the country’s largest sporting organisations.
Previously he worked as a journalist and management executive for 22 years with News Ltd and Fairfax Media and was most recently the Managing Editor of Sport of the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun-Herald.
With an increasing level of media, advocacy and communications work to be undertaken outside Australia, FFA has appointed leading London sport and communications consultancy company Square1 Sports Ltd to bolster its advocacy team and help build the international profile of the Bid.
FFA has also appointed Joanna Burns, a founding partner of UK consultancy firm Alexander Ross Ltd, to manage overseas events and coordinate the international communications and relations aspects of the Bid from London.
Rose Bowl calls in Square1 Consulting as it targets 2013 Ashes test
September 15th, 2009Cricket ground The Rose Bowl has called in agency support to back its ambitious plans to become the largest cricket venue in the country after Lord’s.
Sport finance specialist Square1 Consulting is advising The Rose Bowl on its £48m redevelopment of the Hampshire ground and the launch of a debenture scheme to finance it.
The agency has been charged with helping to convey to both sporting and wider business stakeholders what the executive board at The Rose Bowl, led by chairman Rod Bransgrove, is attempting to achieve.
The completed redevelopment will see capacity grow to 25,000, the construction of a new 175-bedroom hotel as well as improved facilities and access. The upgrades will be completed by the time the ground hosts its first Test match in 2011 and it is hoping to secure an Ashes test in 2013.
The Debenture Scheme will give participants the chance to secure the right to buy tickets for all international and domestic matches at the ground until 2016 for between £2,500 and £6,000 each. The scheme could raise £4m and will pay an annual bonus enabling holders to recoup their initial investment.
The account marks Square1′s first foray into cricket and is being led by sports director Paul McGoohan and Chairman David Bick.
McGoohan said: ‘Rod Bransgrove and his team at The Rose Bowl are working hard to turn their venue into the best cricket ground in the country. Over 21,000 people attended the One Day International against Australia this week and we are delighted to be assisting them in spreading The Rose Bowl story to a wider audience.’
Square 1 to advise Southampton Football Club’s new owner
July 23rd, 2009Square 1 Consulting is understood to be working with the new foreign owner of Southampton Football Club after his takeover saved the club from administration.
The agency, which specialises in football finance, worked on the takeover deal that saw Swiss investor Markus Liebherr rescue the troubled club.
It is now understood Southampton wants a longer-term relationship with Square 1, under which the agency will advise on corporate PR.
This is likely to include representing Liebherr in the media in matters related to Southampton FC, as well as advising newly appointed board members chief operations officer Andy Oldknow and acting chief executive Nicola Cortese.
It is also believed that Square 1 will provide PR services to former West Ham and Charlton Athletic manager Alan Pardew, who will manage the team.
Square 1 Consulting chairman David Bick heads the account.
The firm has a long history of involvement in foreign takeovers of English football clubs. It handled US businessman Randy Lerner’s acquisition of Aston Villa and deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s controversial takeover of Manchester City. Square 1 also advised Dubai International Capital during its ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Liverpool.
Square1 Consulting advises Travis Perkins on £300 million rights issue
May 26th, 2009Retained agency Square1 Consulting is handling the media relations for Travis Perkins in its £300 million rights issue project.
The UK builders’ merchant and DIY retailer has been a Square1 retainer client since 2005. David Bick, Mark Longson and Mike Feltham are working on the account.
Travis Perkins says that it needs the £300m cash injection to reduce its debt burden and allow it to take advantage of acquisition opportunities.
Square1 Consulting advises Hero Global Football Fund
May 20th, 2009The Hero Global Football Fund has hired Square1 Consulting as its financial PR agency.
David Bick and Paul McGoohan are working on the account.
The Hero Global Football Fund was launched by Dubai-based bank Emirates NBD in 2008 and is a private investment fund which makes investments in the global football industry, owning slices of footballers’ “economic rights”. The fund which is registered in Jersey is planned to have a lifespan of five years. Investors have put in a minimum of $100,000 each and Hero aims to return at least a 10% profit to them.