Hanover Communications, a leading communications and public affairs consulting firm, has announced the launch of Hanover Sport.
The move will combine the agency’s established sporting expertise in the fields of brand storytelling, strategic and corporate communications, fan engagement, sponsorship activation and public affairs, to provide a sport communications offering.
With sport influencing entertainment, culture, purchasing, policy, community engagement, tourism and participation at the heart of the operation, a team has been designed to support brands and organisations navigating the business of sport, from fan ecosystems to decision makers.
Rebecca Hargreaves, former Director at The Playbook, has been appointed Director of Hanover Sport. She has over 15 years of experience working with brands in sport and will oversee the agency’s sport work reporting to Gary Cleland, Hanover Group Managing Director.
She commented on her appointment, stating: “Hanover has a lot of experience working with major brands in the world of sport across different disciplines and markets. The launch of Hanover Sport collates all this expertise into a compelling offering.
“Sport provides so much opportunity for brands to grow but the business of sport is complex, so you need to understand the ecosystem – from fans to journalists, leaders to policy makers. We understand this and most importantly know how to tell brand stories rooted in sport.
“By combining this expertise, we are able to partner with organisations and brands to really help them grow.”
Hanover currently develops campaigns for brands, rights holders, sponsors, broadcasters and regulators including NFL UK, UFC, British Horseracing Authority, SAUDIA, StubHub International, and previously for the Premier League, England and Wales Cricket Board, Sky Sports and Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships.
More appointments include Gavin Megaw, Hanover President, who has worked with The FA, Premier League and ECB providing strategic guidance, and Khobi Patterson-Vallis, who supported Ministers at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Steph Lis, Former Deputy Press Secretary to Prime Minister, and Ceri Reed, the Group Head of Brand who has led global brand campaigns for the likes of Nike and Puma have also joined the roster at Hanover Sport.
“This is a strengthening of our global sport offering,” said Cleland.
“2024 is a huge year in the world of sport, headlined by the Paris 2024 Olympics and UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, and our sports team under Rebecca will have an industry-leading offer to design and deliver strategies that unlock insights, shape narratives, harness influencers, activate campaigns, navigate regulations, and access markets.”
