BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Play Sports Group, the home of Play Sports Network and marketing communications agency SHIFT Active Media, has revealed the names of two new members of staff who will join its growing team.
Nick Barthram has joined the group as strategy director, having been lured from his planning partner position at Prophecy Unlimited. In his role, Barthram will be split between SHIFT and Play Sports Network. At SHIFT he will work closely with the newly-formed management team to lead the strategic output across the agency, as well as driving strategic initiatives on major clients and new business.
Barthram will also work with the PSN management team on key strategic priorities across the growing list of channels, including the Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Bike Network, with a particular emphasis on overall data strategy, ecommerce, CRM and NPD.
Barthram said: “I am looking forward to this new challenge in a sector so close to my heart. The client-list is already a who’s who of cycling, and I’m excited about helping the agency and channel business go from strength to strength.”
The Play Sports Group has also welcomed Chiara Cervasio who joined the business as marketing manager. Cervasio will lead the marketing activity for both SHIFT and Play Sports Network with a focus on developing and delivering content and communications to promote the work that has been created within the Play Sports Group.
Cervasio said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the Play Sports Group and a great time to join the business. It’s inspiring to work with so many creative people who work in an industry they’re passionate about and really love what they do.”
These represent the first major hires by Play Sport Group’s managing director Wayne Brown , who commented: “Nick brings with him an enviable agency pedigree, incisive strategic mind and when you combine that with his love of all things bikes, he was definitely the right hire for us. Likewise, Chiara has tons of energy and passion and that’s what we’re all about here.”
