CSM Sport & Entertainment Hires New Managing Director for Australian Branch

June 17, 2014

CSM Sport & Entertainment has hired Rob Smith as CSM Australia Managing Director strenthening their psition in the Asia-Pacific region.

The CSM group of companies operating in Australia includes sports marketing consultancy Fast Track, adiposity commercial rights sales and talent management agency Essentially, branding specialists ICON, global hospitality experts iLUKA, and motorsport marketing giant JMI.

The news highlights CSM’s aggressive growth strategy for the APAC region following this month’s opening of the Singapore office and the relocation of Jonathan Castleman, CSM Group Managing Director Middle East and APAC, to Singapore.

Smith joins CSM from GroupM agency SponsorCom and brings with him a wealth of experience from across the sports, media and entertainment spectrum.

“I am rapt to be joining CSM at such a pivotal moment for the business in Australia.  The opportunities for each of the CSM businesses are many and exciting” said Smith.

“The potential for Essentially in commercial rights sales as well as athlete management was a significant factor in my decision to join the group.  Furthermore, the work Fast Track did with HSBC on last year’s Lions tour raised the bar for sponsorship activation, illustrating the benefits that can be derived from a partnership between brand, sport and agency.  There is lots of potential in this market for brands and businesses to drive significant value from aligning with events, teams, sports and talent from across the sport, media and entertainment spectrum – with our fantastic team and broad product and service offering, CSM is well placed to help them do that” said Smith.

Smith will drive the strategic growth of CSM across Australia, reporting into Jonathan Castleman.

“Australia is a hugely important sports market globally.  Rob’s appointment to oversee the group reflects our commitment to and belief in the potential that it offers.  We have big plans for Australia and the region and this is just the start of the journey” said Castleman.

Seb Coe, Chairman of CSM also commented “Australia is one of the biggest sporting nations in the world and I am delighted that CSM has appointed Rob to take us to the next level in such an important and growing market.  Australia has an undisputedly strong domestic sporting culture and with major global events such as the AFC Asian Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup coming to the region in 2015, it plays a key role in CSM’s global future.”

CSM is headquartered in Surry Hills, Sydney, alongside Chime Communications’ lead advertising agency VCCP.  CSM also has offices in Melbourne and Adelaide.