Digital publisher LADbible has appointed Nick Speakman as its new director of social.
Speakman, the founder and director of humorous digital sports publishing brand SPORF, announced that he would be leaving his post as Manchester United’s global head of social media two weeks ago.
“Leading forward the social media operation at Manchester United has been the honour of a lifetime,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
“From four staff members, across a handful of social platforms, to building a best-in-class digital team recognised as a benchmark for clubs across the sports industry. Together, we’ve built the playbook, evolved our channels, transformed our content, launched into new markets and broke platform records.
“None of this is possible without the trust and support from the incredibly talented people working collaboratively across each department at this football club. With a very special mention for Ian Nolan (Manchester United’s CCO/director, media network) who trusted me with such responsibility, while guiding and developing my role over the last five years. I can’t thank you enough.
“I’ve had the privilege of experiencing trophy wins across the men’s and women’s team; welcoming home and working with the 🐐 (Cristiano Ronaldo); introducing club-first social media initiatives; proudly representing the club at sport’s biggest events; meeting United fans from all over the world; playing on the hallowed Old Trafford pitch and even scoring at the Stretford End. The list goes on.
“But with every journey comes a new chapter and I’m grateful to have been given an unbelievable opportunity to take on my biggest career challenge yet.
“A final thank you to every single person who has played a part in making this role what it is today. From colleagues at the club, to fans in the stand and everyone who has reached out over the last five years. You’ve made it special. Once a Red, always a Red.”
He joined Manchester United in 2020 from Manchester-based Social Chain, which was co-founded by Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor.
When Social Chain acquired SPORF, he joined the Manchester firm as head of brand. He also has experience working for BT Sport as a social media manager.
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SPORF was born in 2012 as an idea Speakman had in his university bedroom. It initially started as Twitter account BBC Sporf, parodying BBC Sport, but transitioned to become a content publisher. It bagged the BBC as one of its high-profile clients despite the corporation previously attempting to close it down prior to it dropping BBC from its name.
He told BusinessCloud in Social Chain’s offices in 2019: “Will there be new platforms? Will people use their phones less? Use different technology?
“Looking at the really big picture, what will the website look like when we’ve got enough content and relationships with athletes? Could we one day have a Netflix series? A TV station? A magazine?
“As we mature as a brand, we want to move away from ‘Anthony Martial has just scored a goal’ to ‘Martial – what music does he listen to? What does he buy when he goes shopping? What’s he like as a father?’
“It doesn’t matter where the content sits, as long as we maintain that consistent tone of voice and core value of showing a different side to top athletes and sports teams.”
Speakman will now lead a dynamic team of social media experts and creatives to create engaging content for LADbible’s 503m followers.
It currently employs over 400 members of staff and has a market cap of over £225m.
The news of Speakman’s arrival comes two months after former BOXPARK CEO Simon Champion joined as the company’s chief business officer.
On the announcement of his appointment, Speakman added: “LADbible Group is the world’s biggest and most influential social publisher, engaging millions of people daily and collaborating with the world’s biggest brands.
“I’m honoured to join such a trailblazing team.”