Chris Hurst joins sports indie

Chris Hurst

Sports and live events indie Whisper has hired a former development exec behind the BBC’s digital coverage of the 2016 Olympics to supercharge its own digital strategy.

Chris Hurst has joined the indie as digital strategy director, leading a team that provides regular content across Formula One, the NFL, SailGP and Women’s Football coverage.

Having worked for the Premier League, Nielsen Sports and BBC Sport, Hurst has more than 15 years of digital and multi-platform strategy experience. At BBC Sport, he oversaw the digital development and social media offer for high profile events including the 2016 Rio Olympics, before leaving to join Nielsen.

Hurst’s appointment strengthens Whisper’s offering to broadcasters and rights holders looking to develop their multi-platform offer and enhance its digital focus for both existing clients and future business.

Whisper chief executive Sunil Patel said: “Chris brings real depth of digital knowledge to the team, having worked with some of the biggest sports organisations in the world, including rights holders, broadcasters and research agencies.

“With changing habits in the way people view and consume sport and entertainment, digital expertise and strategy has become fundamental for maximising all existing and future business.”

Hurst will continue to run his own digital sports business, C J Hurst Consultancy, as well as fulfilling roles as a non-executive director of the Rugby Football League and a trustee of the Women’s Sport Trust.

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