Collective Media Group launches sport division

Collective Media Group has launched a sport-focused division, Collective Media Sport. 

Founded by ViacomCBS executives Claire McArdle and Rebecca Knight last year, the premium factual producer is aiming to produce content across the whole spectrum of unscripted output.

It aims to offer creative consultancy and production expertise to sports rights holders, governing bodies, clubs and brands, to help develop and distribute content around their IP, and is already delivering the highlights shows for The Legends Tour - which are distributed in around 40 international markets. 

It also claims to have multiple other productions in development with international sporting talent attached.

BAFTA award-winning executive producer and showrunner Matt Wilkinson will head the division, having worked with the likes of The Ryder Cup, FIFA, Chelsea FC, and Paddy Power on content, delivery and distribution strategies in his 15 years’ experience in the industry. He has also worked on entertainment productions such as I’m A Celebrity, A League Of Their Own and Soccer Aid. 

Collective Media Sport will also be assisted by Collective Media Group’s partnership with Entourage Sports & Entertainment. The pair partnered last year, with the latter representing personalities from the worlds of sports, media and entertainment - including a number of high-profile South American footballers.

Wilkinson said: “With our experience and proven track record at the highest level, we are uniquely placed to offer consultancy to both established and embryonic sports rights holders, and then take their IP and create programming that brings their sport to new audiences - as demonstrated by our work with The Legends Tour. Collective Media Sport is also keen to work as a production partner offering world-class production teams and experience.” 

McArdle, co-CEO of Collective Media Group, added: “The world of sport is the home of some of the world’s most fascinating, powerful and inspiring stories.  We have recently been securing some very exciting access, which we hope to be able to announce very soon. Collective Media Sport will work closely with our unscripted activity, to bring the best of what we do to our sports partners. With Matt at the helm, and all the experience that he brings, we hope to build on the exciting start the company has made in its first year.”