Patrick Horan Email and Phone Number

I worked with PlayHQ - a rapidly growing sports tech business whose platform powers community sport across Australia - to help it understand its capabilities and potential opportunities across Communications, Content Strategy and Media/PR, with the ultimate objective of driving long-term brand value.

In this role I had ultimate responsibility for all user-facing aspects of Cricket Australia’s large and varied ecosystem of digital products used by millions of cricket fans, attendees and participants.Leading a team of more than 30 full-time staff and working with a multi-million-dollar budget, I delivered engagement and commercial outcomes for the organisation while leading the development and maintenance of world-class products and content. During my three-year tenure I evolved our business strategy from a primary focus on driving scale and short-term gains to consolidating and improving the user experience, growing a first-party database and fully realising the commercial potential of digital output and assets. Despite the myriad challenges of Covid our revenue was maintained, major strategic projects (particularly related to data and participation) were progressed, and audience numbers increased – CA’s flagship editorial brand cricket.com.au is the most visited sports property in Australia every summer, delivering a domestic UA of 3m+ during peak months in FY22 while CA’s range of social channels are followed and enjoyed by more than 20m active users globally all year round. The role required strategic nous, nuanced and decisive leadership, and diligent maintenance of an array of stakeholder relationships and strategic partnerships.

In a key senior role within the Digital team I was – at various stages – responsible for feature and live content delivery, managing CA’s relationship with Optus Sport, leading integrated content provision for commercial partners, owning CA’s Gaming strategy and activity and maintaining an informed view of potential forays into new spaces such as podcasting, VR/AR and e-sports. I also provided ongoing strategic input regarding content and how we could optimise formats and channels to leverage our unique position and reach new audiences, as well as overseeing the production and delivery of digital broadcasts of dozens of elite matches every season. These tasks involved extensive stakeholder management, working with a wide variety of vendors and partners, all aspects of content delivery – from ideation and pitching to production and promotion – and building and maintaining relationships with key talent, particularly active and former elite cricketers.

Alongside my roles in digital media I maintained a keen professional interest in live comedy for more than a decade. I regularly contributed reviews of stand-up and theatre shows as well as related articles to major publications on a freelance basis, being published in the Herald Sun, The Age, UK comedy website Chortle and most recently Time Out Melbourne. I have also sat on multiple judging panels for major awards at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Had responsibility for digital coverage delivery and strategy across all sports for all News Corp Australia masthead sites, with a particular emphasis on AFL and major international events.- Managed a team of highly skilled employees producing world-class sport coverage- Oversaw logistical planning and editorial direction for major events- Commissioned original content from journalists and producers across multiple mastheads- Worked with editors and executive management on strategies for audience growth- Briefed product team and designers to create cutting-edge multimedia content- Designed and maintained social media and commercial strategies across multiple platforms

Had responsibility for commissioning, assigning and delivering the highest quality digital news and video coverage of all sports across Fox Sports and News Corp Australia masthead websites.- Oversaw ongoing coverage of all sports across News Corp masthead and Fox Sports sites- Generated and executed original ideas for innovative coverage of sport events- Founded and produced The SuperFooty Podcast, Australia’s No.1 AFL podcast- Ran digital coverage of major events, including Australian Open tennis and Comm Games

Commissioned and delivered news, video and multimedia products related to major national and international sporting events across Fox Sports and News Corp Australia masthead websites.

Led project teams to create consistently unique and innovative content while creating and curating editorial content across an array of sporting codes

Key leadership role in HWT's editorial department, managing the Digital team to produce world-class news and sport coverage while working with the masthead's Editor and steering committee on long-term strategies and launch of pioneering digital products

Curated, produced and ultimately managed digital news coverage for one of Australia's fastest growing digital destinations

The Tribune was Ireland’s quality Sunday newspaper until its closure in early 2011, renowned for the excellence of its sports section. Progressed from reporting and sub-editing to designing the entire section, managing the production team and writing two weekly columns.