Daniel McLaren

Consultancy x Podcast

Building upon many years experience and available for short and long term consultancy projects. Specialising in;
- Strategy & Creative Campaigns
- Podcasting
- YouTube
- Social Media Strategy
- Internationalisation

The accompanying podcast shines a light on creativity and innovation within the sports industry, and celebrates those pushing the boundaries. Bringing together a group of diverse voices from different areas of the industry… Show more

Consultancy x Podcast

Building upon many years experience and available for short and long term consultancy projects. Specialising in;
- Strategy & Creative Campaigns
- Podcasting
- YouTube
- Social Media Strategy
- Internationalisation

The accompanying podcast shines a light on creativity and innovation within the sports industry, and celebrates those pushing the boundaries. Bringing together a group of diverse voices from different areas of the industry.

Listen to the podcast on:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2x1tkCfJm3oA541gp9nv3j
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/running-on-coffee-creativity-in-sport/id1752445650 Show less

Helping advise the very talented leadership team of Mide and Tomi as they grow the company from startup to industry innovator. Investors include Aston Villa and England player Tyrone Mings.

Worked across accounts and headed up the social media strategy and execution for Henley Royal Regatta, delivering record live stream viewership on YouTube and repositioned the brand on social media. Helped move agency towards esports and ran own podcast, led website redesign and pushed forward inbound marketing efforts.

Hosted and edited the companies 'Something Quite New' podcast, and worked on the event set up to celebrate the company's 20th birthday.

In 2019, led Henley Royal… Show more

Worked across accounts and headed up the social media strategy and execution for Henley Royal Regatta, delivering record live stream viewership on YouTube and repositioned the brand on social media. Helped move agency towards esports and ran own podcast, led website redesign and pushed forward inbound marketing efforts.

Hosted and edited the companies 'Something Quite New' podcast, and worked on the event set up to celebrate the company's 20th birthday.

In 2019, led Henley Royal Regatta social media output wirth record breaking results;
- YouTube over 1m views for first time (watch time of 12.7m minutes)
- Livestream views up 61% from previous year
- Sold in an influencer led video series during HRR with rower/YouTuber Cameron Buchan Show less

Brought in to aid the team on social media strategy within campaigns. Main concentration was on Zurich Insurance golf sponsorship, working closely with the account management and creative teams. Also provided input into new business pitches.

Started as The UK Sports Network then became Digital Sport. It was a blog developed upon seeing the rise of social media within the sports industry, and became frustrated that no information was available.

It quickly went from being just online, to hosting regular meetups for people interested in the industry. These ran across London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow up until 2018.

In 2015 the opportunity to team up with Snack Media came about and UKSN changed to Digital Sport, with… Show more

Started as The UK Sports Network then became Digital Sport. It was a blog developed upon seeing the rise of social media within the sports industry, and became frustrated that no information was available.

It quickly went from being just online, to hosting regular meetups for people interested in the industry. These ran across London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow up until 2018.

In 2015 the opportunity to team up with Snack Media came about and UKSN changed to Digital Sport, with Snack taking on much of the content creation. In 2017 the relationship became financial and I became full-time CEO. Learned many lessons in my short time there - both what to do and what not to do in business.

Highlights included running regular monthly events, getting over 130k downloads on the popular Digital Sport podcast and securing the investment to even make the venture possible. Show less

Founded an early mover by becoming a YouTube specialist before it was popular to do so. Worked with some great clients on projects including;

Universal Music Group - produced Classic Motown video series
Continental Tyres UK - media launch for FA WSL campaign
Fremantle Media - marketing & social media strategies / helped launch The Football Republic channel for the company as they explored fan YouTube channels.
The FA - aided YouTube channel management for FA WSL

Provided YouTube consultancy and channel management expertise to the Flare team at AMV BBDO. Working on successful campaigns involving Pepsi Max, Mercedes Benz, Whiskas and FedEx.

Primarily worked with the International Cricket Council on delivery of the ICC Champions Trophy. Included the creation of a YouTube specific show, launching of new Twitter account (@ICClive) and content strategy for the event duration and beyond.

The other focus was to work with the great team at Pulse on producing new Twitter products focussed on fan engagement. That concentration on product development meant that the requirements of my role changed to more of technical project… Show more

Primarily worked with the International Cricket Council on delivery of the ICC Champions Trophy. Included the creation of a YouTube specific show, launching of new Twitter account (@ICClive) and content strategy for the event duration and beyond.

The other focus was to work with the great team at Pulse on producing new Twitter products focussed on fan engagement. That concentration on product development meant that the requirements of my role changed to more of technical project director, thus we took the decision to allow them to bring in the right skills and for me to focus elsewhere.

Clients include Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI.tv, Indian Premier League, Champions League Twenty20), International Cricket Council, United States Tennis Association, The ATP, ESPN, BBC, Times of India, Sky Sports, Fox Sports Australia, Telegraph Media Group. Show less

After leaving WAS, I was lucky to work a short term contract with a newly formed Copa90 - then only 6 months old - to help form their social media strategy and general marketing. Helped to hire a new social media team, implement a new strategy and enjoyed seeing the business continue to grow. In 2019 named one of the most innovative companies in the world within sports by Forbes.

WAS is a new kind of agency that combines an innate understanding of social media with digital, PR, and marketing skills.

I was brought in to a team which doubled in size during my time there as our work across the brand categories and main adidas digital team was seen as a great success. Responsibilities for campaign development/execution and overall category strategy (primarily tennis, rugby and football) within social media.

Projects included; MLS/adidas launch of Smart… Show more

WAS is a new kind of agency that combines an innate understanding of social media with digital, PR, and marketing skills.

I was brought in to a team which doubled in size during my time there as our work across the brand categories and main adidas digital team was seen as a great success. Responsibilities for campaign development/execution and overall category strategy (primarily tennis, rugby and football) within social media.

Projects included; MLS/adidas launch of Smart Soccer in New York, running @adidastennis account, tennis campaign with Andy Murray in London, launch of adidas football on Tumblr for Euro 2012, launch of adidas rugby on Facebook... and many more.

Decided to leave at the end of 2012 to take on new challenges after almost 3 years of working with adidas. Went freelance to broaden my horizons and gain more experience. Show less

1st Social Media Manager hire for adidas in the UK (seconded from Carat). Created business case for and launched @adidasUK in 2011 alongside London 2012 'name the ball' competition. Worked on UK activation for adidas is 'All In' 2011 (global brand re-positioning) - short-listed for Global M&M awards in 'Best global launch' and 'Best global communications strategy'

2011 Sports Brand of the Year (Sports Industry Awards). Left post to take up position at We Are Social to work on global… Show more

1st Social Media Manager hire for adidas in the UK (seconded from Carat). Created business case for and launched @adidasUK in 2011 alongside London 2012 'name the ball' competition. Worked on UK activation for adidas is 'All In' 2011 (global brand re-positioning) - short-listed for Global M&M awards in 'Best global launch' and 'Best global communications strategy'

2011 Sports Brand of the Year (Sports Industry Awards). Left post to take up position at We Are Social to work on global adidas account. Show less

Sports Event Management, Sponsorship Sales and Business Networking company based in Reading, Berkshire. Took on short and long term projects mainly based around sport sponsorship sales. Projects included;

- Barking Abbey Basketball Academy - Sponsorship Sales
- Tour Player's Experience - Sponsorship Sales
- Reading Rockets Basketball Club - Commercial Consultancy

Apr 2009 - March 2010. Business Scene - Regional Leader (Berkshire & Oxfordshire)

Managed all major sponsorship accounts at the club including SWALEC, Really Welsh Group, Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Council and protectagroup.

Developed new sponsorship concepts including 'Competition Supporters' to take over from match sponsorship and since sold out for 2009 season, worked with Canterbury of New Zealand on the 2009 playing/training kits and was club liaison with ECB and Essentially Group partners on international fixtures.

My primary role was to design and sell the exhibition places at the annual conference for 90 + exhibitors and sell sponsorship of the event, venue book and run regional seminars and work with the team on the main conference, gala dinner and evening entertainment.

As part of the sponsorship sales for the annual conference, I initiated changes in the sponsorship packages sold that lead to a substantial increase in the number of sponsors and revenue generated.

Left position to take… Show more

My primary role was to design and sell the exhibition places at the annual conference for 90 + exhibitors and sell sponsorship of the event, venue book and run regional seminars and work with the team on the main conference, gala dinner and evening entertainment.

As part of the sponsorship sales for the annual conference, I initiated changes in the sponsorship packages sold that lead to a substantial increase in the number of sponsors and revenue generated.

Left position to take on new role at Glamorgan County Cricket Club Show less

Lead Event Manager on the World Snooker contract for the 2006/07 season that included all four majors (World Champs, Masters, UK Champs and Grand Prix).

Arranged all logistical aspect of the event, apart from the players including; TV liaison with BBC/Eurosport, set and venue branding, courtesy cars, hotels, ticketing, venue liaison, sponsor management, health & safety and marketing.

Finished in position when World Snooker events contract went back in-house at the end of the… Show more

Lead Event Manager on the World Snooker contract for the 2006/07 season that included all four majors (World Champs, Masters, UK Champs and Grand Prix).

Arranged all logistical aspect of the event, apart from the players including; TV liaison with BBC/Eurosport, set and venue branding, courtesy cars, hotels, ticketing, venue liaison, sponsor management, health & safety and marketing.

Finished in position when World Snooker events contract went back in-house at the end of the 2006/07 season. Show less

First role in event management after working on squash and badminton events as a volunteer.

Part of team that organised and managed the Grand Prix series around the UK and the National Championships in Sheffield. Here I first became interested in sponsorship and licensed out the merchandise operation to a third party.

Left to become Events Manager at Paragon Event Management