Voiceworks Sport bolsters senior leadership team with trio of hires

Voiceworks Sport, a fast-growing business of sports audio experts backed by Communicorp UK and based in Manchester, has welcomed three new key appointments to its senior leadership team to spearhead its next stage of growth. It includes Michael Holt as Director of Commercial Partnerships, Stefan Doyle as Head of Sport Social and Richard Herrick as Sport Partnerships Director.

Focused on helping sports brands and rights holders to reach new fans through audio, the slate of new hires comes as Voiceworks Sport, and its business Sport Social Podcast Network, celebrate significant growth in 2022 to date. The new appointments will be focused on securing key commercial and rights holder partnerships, and growing Sport Social’s network of shows and creators.

Michael Holt, pictured, joins with over 20 years’ experience in audio and TV, spanning Commercial Director roles at Discovery Inc, TRACE and The Drum as well as sponsorship and strategy roles at Virgin Radio, Guardian Media Group and the Radio Advertising. Bureau. As Director of Commercial Partnerships, he will be tasked with developing new long-term brand and rights holders’ agreements for both Voiceworks Sport and Sport Social Podcast Network.

Doyle joins as Head of Sport Social, with former Head Jim Salveson stepping into a new role of Director of Sport. Having previously worked across Bauer Media Group’s national portfolio and as a producer for Global, Doyle will work closely with Sport Social’s network of podcast creators to develop content and grow listener audiences.

Herrick, founder of Herrick Associates Sports Consultancy, has also been announced as Sales Director - Sport. Herrick will be targeting new rights holder partnerships for both Voiceworks Sport and Sport Social.

Founded in 2020, Voiceworks Sport launched its Sport Social Podcast Network in February 2021, as a dedicated podcast platform to bring together sports content creators. The network is home to popular shows including Seaman Says, The Late Braking F1 and The Joe Marler Show, and recently celebrated 3.5 million monthly downloads. With a roster of new shows in the pipeline and having recently signed a partnership with Italian football talent management agency S!, the new team will be tasked with unlocking further future growth.

Sophie Hind, Managing Director at Voiceworks Sport & Sport Social Podcast Network, said: “Over the last five years, the marketing and media space has moved on rapidly, and arguably audio more than any other medium. There’s an increasing demand from rights holders and sports clubs to reach fans in an authentic and engaging way, which we’re focused on helping them maximise. As the volume of brands and creators we work with grows, we’re investing in the team to meet the demand, in particular at a senior level. We’re excited to welcome the latest members of the team to the business, who bring a wealth of experience and talent with them.

“Michael, Richard and Stefan will play a key role in this next phase of growth for both Voiceworks Sport and Sport Social, particularly as we explore new commercial and creator partnerships both at home and abroad.”

Michael Holt, Director of Commercial Partnerships at Voiceworks Sport, said: “There is plenty of growth in the podcasting market, with a forecast sales value of $38.8bn globally by 2026, and with 50% of 12-34 year olds listening to podcasts every month there’s no sign of audiences slowing down. We’re increasingly seeing major brands want to tap into this opportunity, to integrate their key messaging in a uniquely intimate and powerful audio format with a highly engaged audience. Voiceworks Sport have already carved out a successful niche in this market, and I’m excited to join the team to help them grow this share even further.”