Mark Jones

NC Management is one of the most prolific and well respected talent management and sports marketing agencies in the Australian landscape.

I have been responsible for recruiting and representing some of Australia's most iconic and represented athletes and personalities in the sport, media and entertainment industries including:

Ashleigh Barty
Dylan Alcott
Stephanie Gilmore
Molly Picklum
Tayla Harris
Valentino Guseli

Sierra Kerr

Pat Rafter

As a primary and experienced agent in the agency I contribute to all key areas including sales and revenue identification and securing, new client and business development, financial management, brand and strategy, business development and industry integration.

Expansive industry connections with brands, rights holders, sporting federations, media organisations, entertainment outlets and promoters.

Identified, negotiated and secured some of the most lucrative and high profile commercial deals, partnerships and investment partnerships on behalf of clients and the agency.

Aspire Talent Group (formerly The Sports Group) was one of the most prolific and well respected talent management and sports marketing agencies in the Australian landscape for over a decade.

Under my direction the agency recruited and represented some of Australia's most iconic and represented athletes and personalities in the sport, media and entertainment industries including:

Daniel Ricciardo
Dylan Alcott
Mary Fowler
Scotty James
George Smith
James Magnussen
Steve Hooker
Brooke Boney
Linda Marigliano
Kaylee McKeown
Craig Bellamy
Tess Coady

As the Founding Director I led the agency in all areas including financial management, new client identification and recruitment, brand and strategy for the business as well as represented talent, business development and industry integration.

Established and fostered one of the broadest and most trusted and integrated networks of contacts and partners across all aspects of the sport, media and entertainment industries in Australia as well as with global partners.

Deep and trusted relationships with brands, sports and entertainment agencies and promoters, sporting bodies and federations, media organisations, coaches, athletes and stakeholders.

The most prolific sports management agency of its time in Australia, with a niche focus on the Olympic Games and on Football, with the resurgence of the Socceroos and their qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Led on athlete commercial strategy and campaign fulfilment, servicing partner contracts, licensing and intellectual property arrangements. Led on targeted athlete identification and procurement of athlete prospects and their stakeholders of influence.

Recruited and retained some of the biggest names in Australian sport:

Ian Thorpe
Lucas Neill
John Aloisi
Cadel Evans
Shane Watson
Libby Trickett
Torah Bright
Steve Hooker
Matthew Mitcham
Marcos Ambrose

Led the group pitch for the highly sought Ardent Leisure account by competitive bid. Designed and subsequently took to market, an integrated sponsorship and sales strategy for key assets, AMF Bowling and Dreamworld.

Developed a sponsorship, sales and marketing strategic plan, which became a key focus area for the business moving forward. This included benchmark sponsorship deals for Australian cricketers Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie.

Developed and implemented the marketing and media strategy for the inaugural first class cricket match held at Telstra Stadium, which resulted in an Australian venue match-attendance record.

Won a significant contract with Telstra Stadium and NRL franchise team, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Created an integrated marketing, promotional and publicity plan to underpin the Clubs' shift to Telstra Stadium.

Oversaw the single-biggest sponsorship portfolio in Australia, simultaneously managing every partnership contract and all associated events and promotions.

Provided sponsorship and partnership services to the high-circulation Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and Australian newspapers. Managed the delicate balance of a multi-stakeholder environment involving all Heads of Department to ensure partnerships were maximised commercially, while maintaining title credibility and editorial authenticity.

Developed and managed sponsorship leverage programs with the NRL, AFL, NSW Waratahs, Sydney Festival, Sydney New Years Eve celebrations and the Sydney Turf Club. Worked with each major partner to create and implement in-paper marketing activity, including all associated events and activations.

Key liaison for News Limited advertising and marketing agencies to ensure the full integration of the sponsorship function into the overall marketing mix.