"Arsenal, Arsene, David Dein and Me" – Alex Fynn Discusses Arsenal's Business Strategy
When:
—
Venue:
Birkbeck Main Building, Malet Street
No booking required
A seminar as part of the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre Public Seminar Series
Given by: Alex Fynn
Synopsis
Alex Fynn has advised the FA, the Football League, and several Premier League clubs including Arsenal on media and marketing. He has occasionally helped Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger on football matters, and advised former Arsenal FC director David Dein on television rights and the creation of the Premier League.
In this presentation, Alex, drawing on the best selling book Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub (co-authored with Kevin Whitcher) (first published in 2011, and brought up-to-date [incorporating events up to September 2016] and re-published in October 2016) Alex discusses how he first met Arsene Wenger early in his career, will speculate on why Arsene never became the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, and discuss some arguments he has had with the great man.
He has known David Dein for over 40 years, and it has, in Alex’s own words, been an “up-and-down relationship”. Alex will discuss why this might be so with reference to his assessment of Arsenal’s business strategy with particular regard to the (1) club’s transfer policy, (2) the role of the manager, (3) the club’s media relations, (4) their commercial activities, (5) the move to the new stadium. Arsenal is often portrayed as a well-run football club. Alex will suggest that whilst this might be true, nevertheless, in his assessment, there are areas where the club could perform more effectively.
Biography
Alex Fynn is a well-known consultant to the sports industry who has also written extensively on the subject of the football business. His clients have included Arsenal, Celtic, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur football teams, as well as the Football League and the Football Association. Through his work, he has been influential in the formation of both the English Premier League and the UEFA European Champions League.
Previously Alex was a director of the well-known advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, latterly as vice-chairman. He was responsible for a number of major clients including Procter & Gamble. Throughout his career, Alex has acted as an advisor on the negotiation of the sale of TV broadcasting rights for a number of clubs and federations including the FA, the Football League, the RFU and the British Athletics Federation.
Reading
Fynn, A. & Whitcher, K. (October, 2016). Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub. London: Vision Sports Publishing.
Those attending the event will be able to purchase a copy of Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub for a special, event-only, price of £5 (RSP £8.99).
Follow Alex and the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre @AlexFynn1 @Birkbecksport
Contact name:
Sean Hamil