In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible . Make fans or enemies; never indifference

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In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible . Make fans or enemies; never indifference -

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AND BRANDS
SCALE IMPACT

HELPING ATHLETES
GROW BRANDS

Build bold brands using simple and proven frameworks,
that turn passion in to performance.

I’m on a mission to

SIMPLIFY BRAND
& SPORTS MARKETING STRATEGY

Tap into decades of Global brand experience with simple, repeatable frameworks that elevate Brands, Athletes & Rights Holders.

Trusted Partners & Clients…

  • Kitlocker
  • Nike logo with the word 'TEAM' below it, all in gray on a dark background.
  • RPA logo - athlete marketing partner
  • A sports jersey with pink and blue geometric patterns and the text ''Black Girls Rock'' lies on green grass. The jersey features the logo of Black Girls Ruck, and pink Nike swoosh logos on the shoulders.
  • Two smiling girls standing against a brick wall, with a logo of a large stylized 'K' and the text 'Miss Kick Foundation' overlaid.
  • Woman with wavy blonde hair and glasses smiling while holding a shiny football with a red, white, and blue design.
  • A woman wearing a light blue dress with a white headscarf, standing sideways with one hand on her hip, next to a painting of a rugby player in a white uniform holding a rugby ball.
  • Women playing basketball on an outdoor court during a tournament, with some players jumping for the ball near the hoop. The court has a logo that reads 'Ball Out 3x3 Championship 2021' and is set up with banners and a tent in the background.
  • Man in black athletic shirt lifting a kettlebell in front of a white brick wall
  • Logo of Women's Sports Alliance with black circular emblem and bold black text on a yellow background.
  • A youth football team in green jerseys with 'BIGKID' printed on them, posing outdoors on a football field. The team includes both boys and girls, with some kneeling and others standing, holding a football and wearing bright athletic shoes.
  • A woman in a sports jersey celebrating with a fist pump.
  • Logo of Black Prince Trust featuring stylized black and white face with closed eyes and the text 'Black Prince Trust' below, and website www.blackprincetrust.org.uk.
  • Group photo of female basketball players on an indoor court, wearing colorful jerseys, with a game timer and scoreboard in the background, and a 'LOVE BASKETBALL' logo at the bottom.
  • A female basketball player dribbling in a game, wearing a jersey with the logo 'Hoopity' and surrounded by spectators.
  • Logo of Middlesex Cricket featuring a blue crest with a crown on top, three stylized cricket bats inside, and the words 'Middlesex Cricket' below.
  • A young woman standing beside a soccer goal on a lit outdoor field at night, smiling and looking up.
More Clients


What is a Brand Consultant?

Brand Consultants are senior marketeers that help with defining marketing strategy, developing your positioning & ensuring brand distinction.

When is the right time to hire a Consultant?

Are you a Company or Creator trying to grow in the world of Sports Marketing?  Do you need help with branding or marketing strategy? 
Do you need a sounding board or maybe a longer term project partner?

Think of me as your extra team mate, the bench support, someone with outside perspective and knowledge who can help bring out your best and empower you to meet your goals.

 
A man wearing a yellow hoodie and white pants sitting on a beige sofa, using a silver MacBook laptop and wearing headphones, in a well-lit room with large windows and green plants.

Check out the latest free tool:
Brand Outreach Templates

Free Athlete Resources

Young man jumping in the air holding a basketball on colorful outdoor court with yellow, red, and blue sections.
People working together on a table covered with newspapers, photos, and notes, using pens to write or review documents, in a collaborative work environment.
A young man in a red football jersey and a black vest sitting against a wall in a bar or club, with colorful lights and neon signs in the background.

Services Offered

Two men are standing in a gym, one is holding a laptop and speaking, while the other listens attentively in front of a whiteboard and weight plates.

Consulting

I directly serve Athletes to develop & activate personal brands, Clubs to connect brand campaigns and Brand Teams to develop strategic thinking.

A man in a green jacket speaking into a microphone is seated at a table during a panel discussion. Two men in black shirts sit beside him, while a water bottle and glasses are on the table. In the background, a screen displays headshots and names of other panelists.

Conversation

I am frequently invited to share insights from inside Global Brands, thoughts on the future of Athlete Marketing or discuss changing trends in the Sports Industry.

Four men standing on a grassy field under a large umbrella, looking at a laptop together, with rain falling around them.

Coaching

Once our project is up & running, many clients retain my services by way of brand coaching or mentorship, acting as a support role for future brand growth.

A coach giving instructions to a youth soccer team on a field, with the coach holding a laptop and the players listening around a soccer ball.

…My name is Rich, I’m a former Nike brand senior leader, and now Founder of First Five Marketing.

Half the time I work with teams in fractional leadership roles to create corporate brand and marketing strategies , the other half I focus on brand building and activation in the sports marketing industry.

Who is First Five?…

Hear from the network…

“Not just a markete. ,Rich crafts elite marketing strategies and truly cares about making a positive impact, he consistently enhances brand value for the long term”

— Matt McKie, CMO, Manchester United

“Rich’s depth of knowledge, insight and wealth of experience is invaluable for sports organisations; and has helped Hoopsfix reach levels we did not know were previously possible.”

— Sam Neter, Founder, Hoopsfix

Recent blog posts…

Better Sport makes Better People.