“Hello, we’re iMedia.
For over 15yrs we have created 100’s of events for 1000’s of people. Some for the world’s great organisations, and some our own. But what sets us apart is our Purpose; to create truly meaningful experiences that can make a real difference to people’s lives. And how do we do this? Not by guessing, but knowing. So we have now centred our business around The Wondr Academy – our internal R&D – where we study the latest scientific research into emotional connections. Integrating this into our Event Design and producing events of real quality through painstaking attention to detail in our operational process. This takes experience, time and passion.“
– Julian Hay, Founder of iMedia
Experience and Track Record
We have worked…
People
Events
Countries
Our Background
In 2001 iMediaSport was spun-off from its Dentsu advertising roots as an independent, privately owned sports marketing consultancy. We wanted to create a streamlined company that could deliver cost savings, time efficiencies, insight and creativity.
We successfully developed into an experienced team of sports marketing specialists with the support mechanism of one of the world’s leading communication networks. Over the years we have worked with a broad portfolio of national and international brands, agencies and rights owners. Winner of ESA’s International Sponsorship Award for the most effective use of strategic sponsorship, our work has also been presented to the European Commission as Industry ‘Best Practice’ and has been published in ‘Sponsorship Works – Top 30 Case Studies – A Brand Marketer’s Casebook.’
How We Got Here
Over the years, the idea of “peak experience” – where an individual achieves a moment of transcendent insight and purpose – increasingly fascinated us. The world of sport, with its emotions and drama, its ability to lift people out of the everyday and let them taste glory through their heroes, naturally stimulated this interest. We started to look more deeply and broadly and this took us into the realms of psychology, philosophy and studies of human potential.
From there, our fascination with peak experience developed five years ago into an internal project (The Wondrlust Project) to research, test and develop our ideas. We asked where we would want a peak experience to lead and concluded that the answer could lie in helping that person to fulfil their true potential. We then considered what an individual might have to do to maintain inspiration and new- found purpose once the moment had passed. So we developed a series of guidelines that would help achieve this.
And then, [two] years ago, we decided to share our thinking and passion with the outside world and put our thinking, creativity and commitment into an online magazine, Wondrlust.com. And because we wanted to practice what we preached, we tried to live and work by Wondrlust principles and thinking.
So, on the OUR WHY page we explain the thinking behind what we do. And now we are taking matters one stage further by introducing The Wondr Academy, a natural progression from the R&D work at the core of the Wondrlust Project and the thinking behind Wondrlust.com.
What Makes Us Different
We want to create moments of extraordinary experience – peak experience. Profound moments where people feel more alive and fulfilled. And this ambition increasingly colours and influences all our work.
Our core business has always been the creation of high quality events and experiences which can – at their best – influence individual behaviour. And we have always aimed to deliver far beyond customer satisfaction.
But now we want to challenge the perception of what really makes a difference to people. What creates deep emotional connections which instil loyalty and commitment, through meeting desires, not just expectations. This is what makes us different.
And from this, a primary requirement is knowing how to create a high quality experience. How to design a programme which integrates practical experience, creativity and the knowledge of the science that drives elevated, or peak, experience.
We are committed to bringing all these elements together to create moments that will bring inspiration, insight and deep emotional connection.
Meet The Producers
Born and educated in England, Julian has worked in London for over 20 years with national and international blue-chip brands and rights owners. In 1994 Julian launched his career as a planner in Dentsu’s European Head office, and within 3 years had set up Dentsu Europe’s first sponsorship / event marketing Division. In 2001 Julian set up iMediasport Ltd while still maintaining a close strategic partnership with Dentsu. Within 1 year iMediasport won the ESA International Sponsorship Award, and work presented to the European Commission Commercial Communications Expert Group as an example of industry Best Practice.
Julian set up iMediasport as a sports marketing consultancy offering advice to brands, rights owners and private investors on how to grow their business interests – whether building sponsorship programmes for brands, developing marketing plans for rights owners or creating new sporting properties.
Business experience includes work with Canary Wharf, Canon, Casio-G- Shock, Coca Cola, Ebel, English First Division Rugby, FIFA2010 World Cup Hospitality, FINA World Swimming Championships, FISU Universiade 2015, Golf in the City Ltd, Hitachi, IRB Rugby World Cup 2019, JAL, Konica, Lexus, Manchester United, Mercedes-Benz, Nokia, NEC, NTT DATA, Red Bull Air Race, Rugby Players Association, Sharp, Sony, Sportingbet, The Open, Toyota, Toshiba, TriCem.
After starting his career in Sales and Marketing at Unisys, Paul then moved to World Duty Free to help develop their online services offering. In 2000 Paul joined InterClubNet as a researcher to help develop an internet site designed to facilitate the transfer of football players between clubs throughout the world.
In 2001, Paul joined forces with Julian Hay to assist in setting up iMediasport Ltd. During Paul’s 10 years at iMediasport he has built up experience working with many international brands including Lexus, Coca-Cola, Sportingbet, Red Bull, Toyota and Sharp and rights holders including the R&A, FINA, IRB, UEFA and FIFA.
Paul managed Lexus’ international sponsorship business from their pan-European dealer golf programme and endorsement deals with Colin Montgomerie and Annika Sorenstam to the global activation of The Open Championship. He was also instrumental in winning the ESA International Sponsorship Award for the Lexus / Colin Montgomerie Sponsorship Strategy.
Other recent work includes Sharp’s sponsorship activation of the Euro 2012 Championships, Red Bull Air Race sales, Sportingbet brand audit, launching Golf in the City Ltd and research and analysis of FINA’s World Swimming Championships.
Jonty began his working life as a commercial solicitor with the ëcityí based law firm of Hill Dickinson’s, before being recruited by Abercrombie & Kent – international 5-star travel company – to create, structure and launch their ‘sports and active’ business across their 25 country / 45 office global network.
Genuinely passionate about all sports, Jonty’s work at iMediasport has been extensive and includes working with numerous international brands and Rights Holders on projects as diverse as host city and sponsorship negotiations for Red Bull Air Race; FISU Universiade 2015 host city bid; IAAF World Athletic Championships sponsorship sales; Hitachi, NEC, Sportingbet strategic consultation etc. Most recently Jonty has been involved in Sharp’s Euro 2012 sponsorship activation strategy
Most recently Jonty has been overseeing all elements of NTT DATA’s Open Championship Sponsorship, and has recently returned from Cancun (Mexico) where he was a guest presenter and panellist at the FINA World Water Polo Conference.
Victoria has worked within entertainment both in the UK and USA over the past 20 years. Her journey began with iMediasport, assisting Lexus with their international golf programme, as well as Golf in the City.
Victoria transitioned into Production, interning at the BBC as a researcher, which led to freelance production work with numerous film and commercial companies and overseeing ad’s such as Asda, Daily Mail, XFM and Sainsbury’s.
Whilst with The Goof Film Company, Victoria worked directly with the Emmy winning HBO creative services team; on ‘Wit” with Emma Thompson and “Churchill” with Albert Finner. In New York Victoria produced the acclaimed Independent Film “Happy New Year” – released in 2013 on DVD and on Demand, after a US cinematic release.
Back in the UK & into TV & the on-line space, Victoria created and produced with iMedia “The Call Back” – The first Tween Triple Threat Talent Show, which aired online in 2013, and is in negotiations for national broadcast.
Victoria runs the Mercedes-Benz “Drive to the Major” global golf programme – working directly with Germany HQ and Mercedes-Benz UK.
Following a school career in St Andrews, Scotland, the Home of Golf, Natalie graduated in Edinburgh in 2013 with a BA Honours. To compliment her degree Natalie has also been involved in some of the UK’s largest sporting events and competitions.
As part of her University course Natalie was involved in a six month placement with Prestige Ticketing, the corporate hospitality provider and organiser for the London 2012 Olympics.
Some of her other experience include working with Ralph Lauren at Wimbledon and being part of the press centre team for five years at The Open Championship.
Having carried out these experiences and completing her degree Natalie built up a keen knowledge of the sporting industry.
Natalie joined iMediasport in 2014 to work on all aspects of the company. She works across all areas of Mercedes-Benz account including “Drive to the Major” global golf programme, Patrons Day, R&A Fleet Event, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, MercedesTrophy UK.
Organisations We Have Worked With
Endorsements
“We have had a long and happy relationship with iMedia. The team were very quick to understand the complex workings and foibles of our organisation the championships we run, which is not always a given with all agencies. Indeed, we specifically asked for them to be retained to keep the expertise and excellent working relationship”
Director, Governing Body
“In my personal experience iMedia have been a pleasure to work with while being committed to executing to a very high standard on behalf of their clients. They have always been extremely professional and friendly and I would be happy to recommend them”
Board Director, International Entertainment Agency
“We have been using iMedia as a supplier for over five years. They have been an integral part of all experiential activities for parts of our UK and International HQ. The team has a very flat structure which allows for speed of decision making and a much better communication platform. All of our activities calls for a great amount of information gathering, event planning and full cost breakdown. They have the capacity to run multi-complex activities.”
Event Director, Global Multinational
“I have been extremely happy with the quality, quantity and delivery of all our events and I believe that the iMedia team have a full and thorough understanding of the high levels of standards and customer focus that we require as a leading brand. iMedia always deliver on cost and time, a very strong attribute. I would have no hesitation in recommending iMedia for all aspects of sponsorship & event activation.”
Divisional Head, Global Multinational