Listen to this articleMailman Group offers a full spectrum of marketing services including media partnerships, PR management, activation, brand sponsorship and training/education. The company also produces reports assessing the influence of western sports teams across digital in China called the Red Card. They’re actually just about to release the very first Red Card NBA which has got some very exciting findings in it. Below is our recent interview with Thomas Streatfeild-James, Brand Executive at Mailman Group:
Q: Thomas, you’ve recently announced $18 Million Series A round; could you tell us something more?
A: A few years ago the company reached a point where our ambitions were clear but we couldn’t achieve them with the resources that we had available. We had the ability and knowledge to make it but lacked the local know-how to really take Mailman to the next level. We went in search of investors, focusing not on the capital that they could provide, but the wisdom and expertise that they could bring to the table. In partnering with Yao Capital, we have gained powerful allies that can help guide us with their extensive experience of China and foresight of where the Chinese sports market is going.
Q: Tell us something about your history?
A: We were established in 1999 as a postkard marketing company, delivering postkards to Shanghai’s top venues long before social media arrived. In 2007, Andrew Collins acquired Mailman and in 2009 we made the switch to digital. We grew up alongside the internet in China and the knowledge and experience that we’ve gained on this journey is what makes us who we are today.
As China’s youth began playing sport, the digital and content landscapes were also taking shape. In early 2009 there wasn’t a single global sports team actively engaging with Chinese fans, so, in 2010, we made Liverpool FC the first team online in China. Since then, we have launched the official presence of many other of the world’s biggest and best sports organisations and talents.
We’re growing rapidly, last year our team was around 35 people, now we’re at 80 and that’s just in our sports arm. We’re always looking for new opportunities to both learn and when the time is right, expand our business.
Recommended: MC360 Platform Helps Its Users Build, Manage And Customize Professional Resumes
Q: What exactly does Mailman Group do?
A: Mailman Group now has many arms. At our core, is Mailman, which is our sports digital consultancy and marketing platform. We help global sports rights holders and organisations build a successful business in China.
Recommended: Pacific Lock Company – USA-Made Padlock Solutions
Q: Who are the primary clients of Mailman Group?
A: We have many clients from all around the world. We work closely with the Bundesliga and Borussia Dortmund, numerous Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. We’ve also recently begun working with both the NFL and NHL, expanding their presence online and also the US Open (tennis) have joined the family. We also work with several athletes and brands including Kobe Bryant, Novak Djokovic, Conor McGregor and Nike.
Last Updated on September 24, 2017
Activate Social Media:
