Nick Wells
East Sheen,London
Summary
Accomplished commercial and operational media professional with 20+ years success in helping to grow a range of successful digital businesses and products. I have international experience in identifying opportunities, building strategic partnerships, negotiating and closing deals and developing propositions within sport across TV, Radio and Digital Media. I have a wealth of experience in commercial roles across a variety of high-profile media companies, SME's and even my own start up, a live arena-based sports events company. As equally comfortable in the boardroom as the local coffee shop I have the drive, tenacity, integrity and entrepreneurship to embrace challenges and find solutions.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work history
Chief Commercial Officer
Tenner
07.2021 - 05.2023
- Tenner is a B2B SaaS platform that enables sports organisations to captivate and monetise their fans across the globe through digital innovation.
- Established and validated B2C proposition.
- Developed, implemented and sold bespoke B2B solutions before selling company to global leader in the gaming and racing space.
MD
Surgam Sports Ltd
08.2016 - 05.2023
- Initially set up as a multifaceted sports agency created to help young athletes maximise their potential in their pursuit and achievement of a career in sport
- Surgam Sports developed into my background consultancy business that assisted clients looking to raise their profile and develop key relationships with professional associations, clubs and sports businesses.
SVP of Sales & Business Development Europe
Footies Ltd
06.2019 - 01.2021
- Footies, a blockchain based ticketing control and engagement platform with a vision to fully digitise the sports match day experience that would be mutually beneficial for both fans and clubs
- This unique technology solution enables sports organisations to control their tickets, increase fan loyalty and generate new revenues
- Duties included leading commercial and business development of this SaaS business across Europe, drive sales and partnerships, devise business and product strategies and ultimately play a pivotal role in the global growth of the company.
Chief Commercial Officer
ASM Sports Group
01.2017 - 05.2019
- Formerly Athletes USA) was founded in 2008 to help student athletes and their families connect to college coaches within the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA
- The team of former college athletes, coaches and scouts utilised our digital platform to connect with a network of 20,000+ American college coaches and ensure that students are marketed to their full potential to some of the world's best universities
- Key successes included developing the client offering by launching a digital subscription recruitment platform and partnering with several the world's best sporting athletes to provide a pathway to turn professional after university
- The ambassador mentoring programme is now industry recognised and with over 3000 successful athletes from 82 countries having utilised the service, we made the dream of playing NCAA sport a reality.
Career break to care for close family member
.
11.2015 - 08.2016
Country Director UK & Ireland
Ticketscript Ltd
07.2014 - 10.2015
- Ticketscript, European SaaS business and market leader in digital self-ticketing, empowering all event organisers to sell tickets online.
- Truly disruptive service provider that helped promoters grow their audience and reap the rewards.
- As Country Director for the UK and Ireland I was responsible for driving all commercial activity across the territory.
- I oversaw both the Sales and Account Management Departments (team of 25 heads) and represented the UK Commercial Department at Group Level reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer
- Key responsibilities included effective day to day running of the UK business, assisting the CCO in developing and executing a strategic plan for territory, manage operational systems and policies, provide on-going reporting and analysis including P&L management, leading and supporting recruitment and also representing the business at relevant industry events and conferences
- Recognised as one of the UK's foremost technology companies by The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 in 2014
- Acquired by Eventbrite the world's leading ticketing and event technology platform in 2016
Commercial Director UK, N Europe & Switzerland
Perform Group (now DAZN)
01.2013 - 05.2014
- Perform, a global market leader in the commercialisation of multimedia sports content across multiple platforms.
- Perform owned one of the largest portfolios of digital sports rights in the world, through contracts relating to more than 200 sports leagues, tournaments and events.
- Commercialisation of its multimedia sports content across internet-enabled digital platforms is achieved by driving revenues through a mix of Content Distribution, Advertising & Sponsorship and developing Subscription Platforms.
- As Commercial Director of Northern Europe I was responsible for managing and overseeing core revenue generation for the group's technology and production services as well as distribution of Omnisport (sports news service) throughout the territory.
- This senior position within the company led a team of 25+ commercial account managers and subscription marketers, as well as a small sales team.
- Much of the focus of the role involved bringing new products and services into existing markets and was responsible for many of the group's most profitable revenue lines.
- Leading teams across the subscription and services departments I was responsible for revenue in excess of £20m per annum.
- Key account responsibilities within this division include Premiership Rugby, Football League Interactive, At The Races, Racing UK, FEI, Euro League, PSA, ITF, Tennis Properties and a number of Premiership football clubs.
Co-Founder & Director
Titans of Sport Ltd
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Titans Of Sport Ltd was a live arena-based events company that provided consumers with a unique fusion of entertainment and sport.
- Having created a concept and built a management team I successfully raised in excess of £2m from one of the UK's largest media and entertainment investment teams.
- The inaugural event Titans of Cricket was created as a natural extension to the explosion of interest that had been seen by Twenty 20 and such formats as the IPL and world Twenty20 Cup.
- The marketing strategy of the company was split into 3 different categories - ticket sales, brand development and enhancement of sponsorship.
- The strategic vision was to establish a long-term brand that would operate both domestically and in other territories where cricket is either an established sport or has a ground swell of popular interest.
- In October 2011 Titans of Cricket took place at the O2 Arena in London featuring some of the worlds greatest cricket stars in front of a live audience in excess of 8,000 people.
- The event was broadcast on Sky Sports 2 HD and continues to be shown on Sky Sports 4.
Marketing Director (consultant)
MM Events Ltd
10.2011 - 04.2012
- After an absence of 20 years The International Festival of Country Music 2012 returned to Wembley Arena (Live Nation) followed by 3 dates in Europe.
- Hired by promoter and CEO of MM Events to develop a cohesive and affordable marketing strategy that would drive ticket sales and raise consumer awareness of the event.
- Construct a media schedule that would engage all audiences across any media or channel within budget
- Appoint and work in conjunction with a UK media planning and buying agency
- Manage and develop strategies with the appointed PR companies.
- Utilising what talent was contractually available, I created awareness and engagement to the event from consumers by developing content rich experiences through various digital platforms.
- Worked closely with our partners to develop the appropriate ticketing and pricing strategy that would maximise revenue right up to the event dates.
- Oversee the development of the festival branding, including the build of the website and other digital and social activity.
- Forge strong relationships with all the venues and European co-promoters ensuring that marketing and communication was on brief.
- Support commercial team in all aspects of revenue generation.
- Work closely with all internal stakeholders including CEO, CFO, in house legal and logistics.
Head of Business Development
Base 79
02.2007 - 09.2009
- Base 79 was a digital rights management and syndication company for short form video dedicated to helping owners of great content generate income from the vast number of publishers exploding into our digital lives all over the globe.
- Founding employee and investor that worked alongside an experienced group of entertainment professionals that included Peter Bazalgette and Kelvin Mackenzie.
- Responsible for negotiating and licensing in video content from various producers including large production companies such as Fremantle and All3 Media.
- Licensed out to publishers, rights cleared, advertiser friendly online video.
- Current clients include News International, Bauer, Hearst Digital and IPC.
- Identifying and developing new revenue streams for Base 79.
Senior Business Dev Manager Satellite
Music Choice
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Music Choice was Europe's leading digital music broadcaster, available in almost 16 million homes in 18 countries across Europe and the Middle East.
- Working across global markets, achieving targets for new business acquisition in terms of revenue and margin.
- Responsible for negotiating distribution of digital music services across cable, broadband and satellite TV networks.
- Responsible for pushing Music Choice into new territory by launching subscription radio services and premium rate interactive services.
National Sales Director
talkSPORT
05.2002 - 01.2006
- Tasked with maximising revenue across portfolio of one national (Talksport) and 18 local independent radio stations.
- Responsible for developing the sales strategy in line with the business plan to strengthen client relationships.
- Duties also included recruiting, training and managing the National Agency Sales Team, London Direct, Commercial, Regional Sales and Traffic/Research. In total over 50 staff.
- Other positions held include Head of Agency Sales, an integral member of the talkSPORT Management Team and Senior Commercial Manager creating a new division within the company tasked with creating significant non traditional revenue streams.
Group Head
Capital Radio PLC
07.1996 - 05.2002
- Various roles working within a market leading sales team, Capital Radio Advertising, that was responsible for maximising revenue through airtime and sponsorship from advertising agencies and clients.
Sales Executive
ITV
Airtime
04.1995 - 07.1996
- Airtime sales and programme sponsorship for various ITV regions - HTV, Meridian, West Country , Scottish, Ulster and Border.
Education
BSc Degree - Social Policy & Administration and Sociology
Surrey University in Roehampton Institute
09/1991 - 07/1994
Wallington County Grammar for Boys
London 08/1983 - 07/1990
Skills
- Business development
- Partnership marketing
- Complex negotiations
- Account management
- Sales strategies
- Networking and relationship building
- Budget development
- Talent recruitment
- Ongoing contract negotiation
- Product development
- Commercial strategy development
- Talent management
- Commercial growth acceleration
- Project leading
- Campaign planning
- Budget development and management
- Persuasive
- Leadership
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Chief Commercial Officer
Tenner
07.2021 - 05.2023
SVP of Sales & Business Development Europe
Footies Ltd
06.2019 - 01.2021
Chief Commercial Officer
ASM Sports Group
01.2017 - 05.2019
MD
Surgam Sports Ltd
08.2016 - 05.2023
Career break to care for close family member
.
11.2015 - 08.2016
Country Director UK & Ireland
Ticketscript Ltd
07.2014 - 10.2015
Commercial Director UK, N Europe & Switzerland
Perform Group (now DAZN)
01.2013 - 05.2014
Marketing Director (consultant)
MM Events Ltd
10.2011 - 04.2012
Co-Founder & Director
Titans of Sport Ltd
01.2010 - 01.2013
Head of Business Development
Base 79
02.2007 - 09.2009
Senior Business Dev Manager Satellite
Music Choice
01.2006 - 12.2006
National Sales Director
talkSPORT
05.2002 - 01.2006
Group Head
Capital Radio PLC
07.1996 - 05.2002
Sales Executive
ITV
Airtime
04.1995 - 07.1996
BSc Degree - Social Policy & Administration and Sociology
Surrey University in Roehampton Institute
09/1991 - 07/1994
Wallington County Grammar for Boys
08/1983 - 07/1990