A Liverpool startup has signed three former Manchester United directors.
Fourth Wall works with more than 50 sports clubs and federations across the UK and worldwide, providing services and systems to maximise fan engagement and reduce administration.
Vange Kourentis, Mike Dunphy and Mark Hargreaves, who worked together at United, have now joined the firm as it eyes further global expansion.
Fourth Wall said Kourentis is renowned for leading the way in commercialising sports rights globally with digital transformation at the core. At United he oversaw the delivery of retail, bar and restaurant experiences in four continents as well as the launch of mobile phone content services with Vodafone and video streaming with BSky.
He then founded Sports Revolution, which became the largest digital media rights firm for sports in the UK, with 65 contracted clubs and stadia, delivering many more firsts worldwide in football and rugby, including stadium Wi-Fi and virtual broadcast advertising.
“Fourth Wall lead with technology and they always have, which is why when they asked me to join the company as commercial director I was delighted to do so,” he said.
“The team are all former club employees, like myself, so they understand the problems first-hand and are building practical solutions that deliver real outcomes for clubs, which is hugely exciting.
“They have a fantastic tech stack and already work with many of the biggest clubs and rights holders, which is a great platform to grow from.”
Dunphy’s background is in tech product management, but quickly evolved to complete commercial management, business development and rights management when he moved from Vodafone to United to head up their JV project MUmobile. He spearheaded numerous football firsts, according to Fourth Wall, building an ecosystem that enabled multi-million revenue streams.
He has since worked for and with clubs including Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC and Real Madrid, as well as tech suppliers developing products, propositions and rights deals.
Dunphy commented: “It’s great to be back working with Vange and Mark. The opportunity to join Fourth Wall at such an exciting time for the business was too good to turn down.
“We’ve made an immediate start and are already speaking to clubs that the company does not work with currently so we’re off to a superb start. The next 12 months look fantastic for Fourth Wall.”
Hargreaves was previously IT director at United and general manager of Manchester United Interactive. He has delivered many complex projects including the redesign and rebuild of manutd.com twice, integrating all club departments, services and revenue streams.
He also helped Ve Global grow from three employees in the UK to 850 worldwide in a matter of a few years.
“Fourth Wall has a superb technology stack as well as a very experienced and hands on management team, both of which were hugely appealing to me. I am in my element and am committed to making a big difference at the company,” said Hargreaves.
Anton Botes, CEO at Fourth Wall, concluded: “I have known Vange, Mike and Mark for a long time and knew, at the right time, the trio would be perfect at Fourth Wall. It’s great to be working with them and I am looking forward to witnessing amazing results.”
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