Loughborough University graduates Peter Janes, Charlie Cooper
and Paul Stewart have turned a great idea into a global business
with unique deals with over 250 premium sports brands including the
NBA, Sky Sports and London 2012.
United by a mutual love of sport whilst studying at
Loughborough, Peter (BSc, Sport & Exercise Science, 1999 -
2002, 1st team rugby), Charlie (BSc Geography, MSc, Marketing and
Management, 2000 - 2004, 1st team rugby) and Paul (BSc Recreational
Management 2000 - 2003, 1st team hockey) struck on the idea of
creating a web portal that encourages fans to share sport videos,
blogs, news and debate on a global platform.
The high price tag that comes with premium sports footage didn't
deter the enterprising trio. Their unique concept allows sports
media producers to freely distribute footage via their own video
players that simply plug in to the new network, enabling them to
globally engage with sports fans whilst controlling their own
advertising revenue. Their pitch for a social media sports portal
struck gold with business angels in 2008 and has generated over
£2.5 million to date.
The graduates launched Sportpost.com in March 2010 and rapidly
achieved status as the world's largest sport specific video site
with leading brands including Nike Football, Red Bull, Monster
Energy, UFC and Euroleague Basketball running premium High
Definition channels via the site.
Peter Janes, Managing Director of Sportpost.com explained:
"Previously, media owners would never share their content with each
other, as they would lose the control and potentially the revenue
associated. But our independent distribution model eliminates the
risk. For no cost we can give all sports media owners access to the
platform to help build audiences and drive traffic and advertising
revenue. In return, our unique portal offers sports fans unlimited
access to the world's best sports content."
Sportpost.com also gives a voice to the superstars of world
sport, with exclusive deals to publish personal sport blogs from
athletes including England and Manchester United footballer Rio
Ferdinand, 2010 Grand National winner, A.P. McCoy, Formula 1
drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Fernando Alonso tennis stars Kim
Clijsters, Caroline Wozniacki and Robin Soderling.
"Sportpost.com is an excellent example of student and graduate
enterprise and I am delighted to welcome Peter, Charlie and Paul
back to Loughborough on Thursday 27 October," said Professor Steve
Rothberg, the University's Pro Vice Chancellor (Enterprise). He
continued: "129 business ventures were established by our student
and graduates last year and I am sure Sportpost's story will help
inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs."