Play Sports Group brings in advertising industry exec as MD

Cycling-focused digital sports media company Play Sports Group has appointed Wayne Brown as its managing director.

Brown joins the firm from advertising agency Grey London, where he served as chief operating officer. He will report to Play Sports Group founder and chief executive, Simon Wear, and will also receive a seat on the group-level board.

Play Sports Group operates leading cycling brands, Global Cycling Network and Global Mountain Bike Network. In February, media and entertainment company Discovery Communications acquired a 20-per-cent stake in the company.

The investment was designed to allow the company to launch further channels in cycling and across other sports and hire up to 150 people for newly-created digital and creative roles over the next two years, predominantly based at its headquarters in the English city of Bath.

“We have big plans for the Play Sports Group, so attracting someone like Wayne with a proven track record in establishing and growing digital businesses is a hugely important step towards us achieving our vision,” Wear said, according to the BikeBiz website.

“Wayne brings with him a unique blend of advertising, media, data and technology experience that I believe will propel our business, and our clients’ businesses.”