Stefan Hopewell

Hi, I'm Stefan Hopewell, Director of Ingenious, the Manchester based Sports Communications and Public Relations & Sponsorship Management agency.

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I am an experienced professional who has considerable experience of managing and being part of a major sports events team. I specialise in Public Relations and Media Management. After 5 years being involved in running two businesses not connected to sport in any way I have returned to the sports arena refreshed and motivated to make a difference. I have launched a new company - Ingenious - so if you're involved with a brand considering sponsorship of any kind, a sports governing body or an athlete seeking personal management, then please get in touch. I have a proven track record of securing positive media coverage for a range of clients and experience in crisis and reputation management with a strong interest and knowledge of social media.

Director at The Coffee Hub

August 2008 - February 2011

Specialising in Coffee Shops in the business environment, the pilot site of The Coffee Hub in Didsbury, Manchester was launched in 2009 with excellent results, exceeding the initial expectations of the business plan.

Owner at Stefan Hopewell Enterprises

January 2004 - February 2011

Media & PR Consultant, Sports Management Consultancy, Coffee Franchise Owner. January 2006 – July 2008 Coffee Franchise Owner, Manchester Responsible for raising the start-up funding and running the operation on a day-to-day basis. Public Relations Consultant & Sponsorship Management Client: Arriva Trains March 2004 – June 2004 Public Relations Consultant & Sponsorship Management Client: Arriva Trains March 2003 – June 2003 Public Relations Consultant – Rugby Football League February 2003 – October 2005 Responsible for the public relations activity in South Wales surrounding the world famous Challenge Cup, then sponsored by Powergen. o Extensive ticket competitions and product placement in South Wales media o Placement of ‘ghosted’ columns in South Wales media o Creation of press office in partnership with Westgate Sports news agency

Director at The Sports Channel

March 2004 - December 2005

March 2004 - December 2005 Director – The Sports Channel Leeds Executive Producer, International Netball – England v South Africa o Brokered the first ever television broadcast deal to screen international netball live on SKY Sports and devised the production policy for the 3 match series between England and South Africa. o Responsible for recruiting appointed facilities company and in partnership with clients England Netball, for selecting presenters and commentators. o Sold the overseas TV rights to Super Sport, who screened the entire series ‘as live’ o Sold highlights packages to TV New Zealand Executive Producer, International Netball – England v Jamaica o Responsible for the continuing relationship with key clients England Netball and TV facilities supplier o Managed signage companies who installed perimeter advertising boards o Sold overseas TV rights to TV Jamaica Tournament Director – York 9’s 2005 o Responsible for delivering a successful tournament and for the management of all 24 competing teams. o Operated as media manager o Was responsible for risk assessments and liaising with host partner, York City Council. o Secured sportsmatch funding to match sponsorship from Kellogs Frosties o Managed the ‘Earn Your Stripes’ York 9’s community marketing programme Associate Director – Lezignan 9s 2004 Lezignan, France. o Liaised with hosts FC Lezignan-Corbieres to take the 9 a side rugby format into a new territory. o Secured recognition from the Rugby League European Federation which saw the York and Lezignan tournaments gaining a 5 Star rating. Tournament Director York 9s 2004 York o Implemented a new – two-day format o Responsible for securing impressive media coverage for the tournament o Recruited new names to the international rugby league scene, Jamaica who were crowned champions o Operated as media manager

Media & Public Relations Consultant at Rugby Football League

2002 - 2005

A varied role encompassing working closely with sponsors and sponsor's appointed agencies to maximise the sponsorship property. - Responsible for the 'Powergen Challenge Cup Tour' where the historic Rugby League Challenge Cup was taken on a tour of community clubs - Managed the Media activity for the New Zealand v Wales international at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in November 2002 - Was the RFL's 'PR Man in Cardiff' whilst the Powergen Challenge Cup final was played at the Millennium Stadium' whilst Wembley was being rebuilt.

Media Manager at Student Rugby League

January 2001 - May 2004

January 2001 – May 2004 Student Rugby League Media Manager A voluntary role, I was tasked to develop a media presence for the sport with a specific brief to communicate the key messages of elite performance and career achievement of student rugby league alumni.

Press Officer at Student Rugby League

May 1998 - December 2002

Media Manager & Team Liaison at Damart Russian Tour

February 2002 - April 2002

Media manager and team liaison officer to the Damart sponsored tour by two rugby teams from Russia - Locomotiv Moscow and Strela Kazan. This was a very challenging position - managing team logistics, interpreters, media, sponsors and host teams and local authorities to ensure smooth running of their two week stay. Despite the large scorelines against the teams, the highlight of the tour was arranging a parade at half time of the Challenge Cup Final at Murrayfield, Edinburgh where the teams were welcomed by the 70,000 strong crowd. Many lifelong friendships were made during this tour and is one of the highlights of my career.

Tour Press Officer at Student Rugby League Europa Cup

September 2001 - September 2001

Kazan, Russia Responsible for the media management of all four home nations who were participating in the tournament, communication of news stories and liaison with tournament hosts. This tournament will go down in history for putting the city of Kazan on the rugby league map when 16,000 people turned up for the opening match. The tournament took a sober twist on September 11 2001, when the news of the atrocities in the USA filtered through to the tour parties.

Management Consultant at Rochdale Hornets

May 2001 - September 2001

A general role, responsible for recruiting sponsors, managing current sponsor portfolio and day to day running of the club.

Public Relations Executive at Heritage Projects Ltd

January 2001 - May 2001

Heritage Projects Ltd York Public Relations Executive A varied role responsible for the relaunch of the world famous ‘Jorvik’ Viking museum. o Planning relaunch strategy o Running the pre-launch press office o Placing ticket competitions in regional and national media o Operating accreditation for pre-launch journalist tours o Planning and managing launch event

Media & PR Co-ordinator at Rugby League World Cup 2000

February 2000 - January 2001

Rugby League World Cup 2000 Media Co-ordinator February 2000- January 2001 Leeds A challenging role working with a wide range of people from volunteers to world class professional athletes and tournament executives o Managed the day to day press function and corporate communications o Set the news agenda for the tournament o Created the reputation management & crisis management strategy, including policies on doping, drug misuse and sponsor withdrawal o Trained and supported competing nations and RLWC executives in media training
 o Recruited and managed appointed Public Relations agencies o Managed appointed media accreditation agency to ensure media had correct accreditation and access o Supported and managed volunteer regional press officers o Worked closely with other sports governing bodies, NGO's and Government agencies o Set up and managed media centres in Leeds and Cardiff for the duration of the tournament o Created the mailing list database which is still in use today to distribute press releases from the Rugby Football League Media Department

Media Manager at Student Rugby League

September 1999 - December 1999

Media Manager, Student Rugby League World Cup September 1999 – December 1999, Manchester, Leeds & Hull. A voluntary role, this was my first break into public relations in sport. Working with all 12 participating nations to develop a media profile I created the media strategy for the tournament and in what was a first for the sport at the time, developed an online presence and distributed press releases via the internet and email. o Staged launch events at participating venues o Managed the tournament website o Created tournament media strategy o Managed day to day relations with accredited media

Director at Ingenious

January 2011

- Sponsorship Recruitment and Activation - Event Creation, Management & Delivery - Public Relations & Media Management - Brand Management and Evaluation - Crisis & brand reputation management - Professional, commercial & lifestyle advice to athletes

Chairman at Mancunians RL

April 2009

Founder and Chairman of Mancunians RL, Manchester's Fastest Growing Sports Club. Mancunians were created in April 2009 and have gained promotion in both of the two seasons of existence and will play in the North West Premier Division of the Rugby League Conference in 2011 running two adult mens teams. - Recently secured funding from the Rugby Football League and Manchester City Council for a Community Rugby League Coach.