Gareth Jones

Experience

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  Cable 7

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2000

  Television Producer and Reporter

  Here I worked as a video journalist and commentator on a weekly sports programme. The show concentrated on ‘lower profile’ UK sports, including kickboxing, athletics, basketball and disability sports.Key Responsibilities: Production programme plans, organising and conducting interviews on location; presenting; commentating; floor managing.Major Achievements: Generally: Developing key journalistic & production skills. Specifically: Conducting live interviews on Rory Underwood’s Testimonial. Show less

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  Wait and See Productions

  Mar 2001 - Mar 2003

  Sound Studio Manager

  I was employed at this television and radio production company to build and then run a Sound Studio. Once completed, the studio was used for the designing and recording of radio programmes, adverts and training aids. Key Responsibilities: Advertising the company; business development; producing advert storyboards /designs; organising voice-over personalities; administration / budgeting.Major Achievements: Creating a successful Sound Studio from scratch and building the company’s client base. Show less

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  Yorkshire Evening Post

  Jan 2002 - Jun 2002

  Sports Writer

  I was responsible for writing, compiling and subediting stories for both the YEP and The Yorkshire Sport.Key Responsibilities: Writing match reports and features; conducting interviews, match previews and TV sports reviews; editing of local sports reports and News in Brief; sub-editing.Major Achievements: Development of a clearer, more efficient local sports section; numerous exclusives.

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  BIGGA Ltd

  Feb 2004 - Apr 2006

  Assistant Editor

  With a circulation of over 15,000, I was solely responsible for the management and production of the magazine. I managed a design team of two; plus 10 freelancers; created and managed all content; reported on various golf tournaments, including The Open; and travelled across Europe for press events. I oversaw a redesign of both the magazine and the company’s website. Key Responsibilities: Managing and organising team members & freelancers; Strategic content planning; interviewing; subscriber review panels; writing articles; attending worldwide press events. Major Achievements: Created subscriber review panels; Enhancing standard of magazine and website with redesign, highlighted by increased subscription & circulation rates and greater website hits. Show less

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  League Publications Limited

  Jan 2006 - Nov 2009

  Journalist

  In a freelance capacity, I wrote for two League Publication’s weekly newspapers and websites. Here I attended press conferences and matches, interviewed and wrote news and feature articles for the newspapers and online.Key Responsibilities: Organising / conducting interviews; attending press conferences and matches; writing match reports; writing features; and sub editing.Major Achievements: Gaining exclusive transfer stories in both Rugby Union and League.

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  BBC Radio Leeds

  Apr 2006 - Aug 2018

  Led multiplatform sports team in one of the UK’s largest sports broadcast regions.Responsibilities:• Content & social media strategy: Created BBC local radio's first ever social media strategy.• Brand: Oversaw major overhaul of brand strategy to better reflect audience by developing a strong “West Yorkshire Sport” Brand, with a digital first approach, which resulted in wider appeal and increased audience figures, particularly in the 25-35 age range.• Editorial management: Leading broadcast production; planning and scheduling; news agenda setting; organising and logistics; risk assessments and compliance; budget management.• Contract negotiations: Responsible for broadcast and commentary rights and talent contract negotiations.Major Achievements:• British Sports Journalism Association Award for Best Factual Programme; two BBC Gillard Gold Awards; and two O2 Media Award.• 40% increase in RAJAR listener figures to West Yorkshire Sport programming.• Top of BBC social media league tables.• 30% reduction in budget spend. Show less Managed 40 full time staff, overseeing the station’s entire programming and news output.Responsibilities:• Strategy: Developed and managed the Station’s programme schedule, editorial and news strategy.• Commissioned and developed multiple new programmes / podcasts across output schedule.• Customer/audience analysis: Introduced audience panel review sessions to stay ahead of changing audience trends.• Brand: Created and executed new innovative station brand launch - “Proud to be Yorkshire”.• Project management: Organised and produced Stations' vast Tour De France Grand Depart coverage.Major Achievements:• Two BBC Gillard Awards for Tour De France Grand Depart• 10% reduction in budget spend. Show less

  • Sports Editor

    Apr 2012 - Aug 2018

  • Assistant Editor

    Jan 2014 - Aug 2014

  • News Journalist & Programme Producer

    Apr 2006 - Apr 2012
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  BBC Sport Website

  Jan 2007 - Dec 2010

  Online Sports Journalist

  I was responsible for writing copy stories and production of both audio and visual content for the BBC Sport Website, as it developed into one of the country’s leading and most visited websites.Key Responsibilities: Writing and editing online articles. Creating audio and visual content.Major Achievements: Played major part in the successful development and strategy of the BBC Sport Website.

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  BBC Radio Sheffield

  Mar 2008 - Dec 2010

  Sports Journalist

  Presenter / producer of Football Heaven (weekdays 6-7pm). Rotherham United commentator.

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  Kippax Productions

  Feb 2009 - Jan 2010

  TV Commentator

  Commentator on rugby union matches.

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  Various

  Apr 2010 - now

  Live Event Organiser / Producer / Host

  Work on numerous live events, including conferences; education seminars; trade shows; award dinners; sponsor lunches; and charity balls.• Digital Sport North: MC for networking events for sports, tech and media professionals.• One in a Million Charity Ball: Content producer and floor manager for Bradford based charity event.• Rugby Football Union: Part of the organising committing for the RFU Volunteer awards. Responsible for creating pre-production video content, creating packages about each winner. Host awards evening.• Yorkshire Cricket: Planner and host of various events, including Player of Season Awards and sponsor/business lunches and conferences, creating event frameworks and deliverables roadmaps.• BIGGA: Host and onsite producer for annual two-day education conference and trade show.• Huddersfield Town: Host of Player of Season Awards. Show less

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  BBC Radio 5Live

  Aug 2013 - Jan 2017

  Broadcast Sports Reporter

  Employed as reporter/commentator on Premiership Rugby Union and EFL football matches across the country

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  BBC Radio Leicester

  Jan 2014 - May 2014

  Leicester Tigers presenter & commentator

  Loaned out from Radio Leeds to Radio Leicester, I presented the station's Leicester Tigers output, including Premiership and European games, including Clermont away. I also commentated on LV Cup matches.

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  BBC

  Mar 2014 - May 2018

  BBC Kick-Off Trainee Sports Reporter Scheme Manager

  Managed one of the BBC’s largest trainee schemes, with 40 trainee reporters positioned across local BBC Radio stations and sports website.Responsibilities:• Digital advertising campaign• External partner relationship creation and management• Recruitment; KPI’s setting; mentoring. • Training programme creation and training.Major Achievements: • Increase from 25% to 50% of female reporters. • Increase from 5% to 45% of ethnic minority background reporters.

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  The Yorkshire Rugby Union Show

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

  Presenter - The Yorkshire Rugby Union Show

  I created my own YouTube channel to enhance my digital video skills and presence. Presented in both traditional ‘TV Style’ 30 minute shows and in ‘digital shorts’ this channel covers rugby union stories from all levels.This ranges from serious stories, such as the Doncaster player who was diagnosed with Cancer; to immersive/fly on the wall coverage of Yorkshire Seniors’ Cup Game; to fun sections like Dizzy Kicks. Every piece/programme is produced, presented, filmed and edited by myself.Key Responsibilities: Presenting; Producing; Content/Guest sourcing; Filming; Editing; Advertising. Major Achievements: 30,000 views with just six shows (minimum advertising). Show less

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  Leeds Trinity University

  Aug 2017 - May 2018

  Sports Broadcast / Journalism Lecturer

  Having been employed by the University to modernise their teachings, I developed my own syllabus. This was to ensure teaching reflected the dramatic changing nature of the industry and to incorporate more digital platform training, such as creating video digital shorts and podcasts.Key Responsibilities: Course syllabus design; lecturing; mentoring; podcasting; setting targets for students. Major Achievements: Modernisation in Radio / Multimedia teaching; increase in ‘Firsts’ for both Level 5 & 6. Show less

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  Sporting Life

  Aug 2018 - Mar 2024

  Flutter - Timeform/Sporting Life Head of Content

  Flutter PLC - Sporting Life / Timeform Head of Content, Social & Audio/Visual Aug 2018 - presentMember of the senior leadership team, directly managing editorial; social media; creative design; audio/visual production teams.Responsibilities:• Day-to-day lead of editorial; B2B content production; PR services; and B2C revenue delivery.• Content, brand and social strategy: Implemented new, multi-platform content and brand strategy to move company from a website focused mentality with an aging audience demographic, to a multi-channel, social-first mindset, targeting a younger user base.• B2B management: Pitching; interpreting briefs; proposals; client relationship management; production deliverables. • Stakeholder management: Engaging, collaborating, and influencing key internal and external stakeholders, including directors and CEO's.• P&L responsibility & budget management: Growth of B2C revenue lines via customer sales; membership subscriptions; onsite advertising; content sponsorship. Control of spend for editorial/freelance spend; marketing & PR campaigns; talent recruitment.• Marketing: Planning and implementation of both social media and out of home marketing campaigns.• Market analysis and performance reporting: Responsible for data performance monitoring and reporting; analysis of customer behaviour patterns and evolving industry and competitor trends.Major Achievements:• 54% year-on-year (2023) increase in customer website sales.• 33% increase in editorial customers over last two years.• 6% year-on-year (2023) growth in subscription revenue.• £500k increase in B2B editorial revenue in 2023.• £100,000 content sponsorship agreement.• 200,000 additional social followers over last two years; 15milion Tik Tok video views Jan-April 2024.• 750% increase in YouTube subscribers; 39% year-on-year (2023) increase in YouTube impressions & 8% increase in watched hours. Show less

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  DAZN

  Sept 2024 - now

  News Lead Editor

  Leading DAZN's sports news content team, delivering news, opinion and live blogs for the biggest worldwide events, including Boxing, NFL, Boxing, football, tennis and golf.