Asian sports digital agency Mailman has promoted Lewis Wiltshire to chief executive of its EMEA division and Seven League subsidiary amid global growth plans.
Wiltshire has spent three-and-a-half years at digital sports agency and consultancy Seven League, having been formerly head of sport for social media company Twitter and editor of the sports division of UK public-service broadcaster the BBC.
The founder of Seven League and its previous chief executive, Richard Ayers, will move into a new role as chairman with current Seven League managing director, Neal McCleave, now the chief operating officer.
Mailman added London-based Seven League to its group in 2018, expanded into Southeast Asia in 2019 with a Singapore office and a presence in nine SEA regions. Earlier this month the company opened its first North American office in Los Angeles as part of a global expansion and mission to become the world’s leading digital sports agency and consultancy.
Wiltshire will oversee Seven League’s consultancy arm, which provides strategic guidance for the likes of world and European football governing bodies Fifa and Uefa, Spanish LaLiga club Barcelona, Italian Serie A team Juventus and NFL American football franchise Green Bay Packers. He will also look after the agency business, which includes clients in US major leagues the NBA, NHL and NFL.
Wiltshire said: “The three-and-a-half years I’ve spent at Seven League, including the last two as part of the Mailman Group, have proven to me beyond doubt that our business is a leader in the global sports industry.
“However, there is much still to do to realise our fullest potential and ambitions and I cannot wait to begin that next chapter. Richard and Neal should be very proud of what they have built at Seven League and I am delighted that both will be remaining with the business. I’m excited now to also work more closely with (Mailman Group chief executive) Andrew (Collins) as we scale the Mailman brand globally.”
Wiltshire will report directly to Collins, who acquired Mailman, then a media consulting company, in 2007. Collins said: “Since joining the group three years ago, Lewis has made a huge impact to our group culture, the team and quality of work.
“He has direct platform experience, a high awareness of digital behaviours and a real passion to make positive change in the industry. We’re thrilled to move forward with Lewis as CEO, we’re inspired by his commitment to drive growth in the people and exploring new ventures as we expand our global vision.”
