The UK’s CODA Agency, owned by US-based Paradigm Talent Agency, has launched a new sports division called CODA Independent Sports.
CODA has partnered with Paul and Barney Crockford of Crockford Management, as well as Independent Talent Group (ITG), to launch CODA Independent Sports.
Meanwhile, veteran brand partnership specialist Debbie Ward has joined the agency to lead on Brand Partnerships, Sync and Corporate.
Ward has more than 20 years of experience, having worked with festivals such as Wilderness and Lovebox and more recently launching Global’s festival brand business of 19 live assets (including Printworks, Field Day, Snowbombing and Victorious).
CODA’s artist roster includes Liam Gallagher, The xx, Imagine Dragons, Sia, Rag’N’Bone Man, Bon Iver, Ellie Goulding, Take That, The Prodigy, Chvrches, Shawn Mendes, Years & Years, and First Aid Kit.
Currently specialising in football, CODA Independent Sports aims to become one of the ‘top global sports agencies’, with a roster of players from across the UK including Premier League players Jordon Ibe, Kortney Hause and Kadeem Harris, among others.
Paul Crockford launched his music management company Crockford Management in 1987, with the current roster including the likes of Mark Knopfler, Youngr, Blue Americans, Basic Tape, Wild Front
and Rothwell.
“Coda Independent Sports is a unique offering combining business expertise with personal attention, and access to a global infrastructure across all media unparalleled in the sports field.”
Paul Crockford
Paul Crockford said: “Coda Independent Sports is a unique offering combining business expertise with personal attention, and access to a global infrastructure across all media unparalleled in the sports field.”
James Whitting, partner at CODA, said: “We are also really pleased to be teaming up with the Crockfords in launching our Sports Agency, CODA Independent Sports. Just need to sign some Arsenal players and that will be job done!”
“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge – CODA has a stellar reputation and an epic portfolio of artists.”
Debbie Ward
Debbie Ward said: “I’m really looking forward to this new challenge – CODA has a stellar reputation and an epic portfolio of artists. There’s so much opportunity to collaborate with brands and talent to create content-rich, engaging and potentially ground-breaking solutions.”
CODA’s James Whitting, added: “We are delighted to welcome Debbie to CODA.
“Debbie comes with a vast knowledge of brand partnerships and we are very excited for the prospect of the additional services and revenues she is going to bring to our clients.”Music Business Worldwide
