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Former PA Sport execs team up in grassroots deal

Three former PA Sport executives have teamed up to provide media and communications services in community and grassroots sport.

Content FactoryThe Content Factory, run by Chris Buckley and Andy Elliott, has announced a partnership with Simon Lansley’s ConnectSport to provide outsourced comms services with the sport-for-development sector.

ConnectSport was founded in 2011 by Lansley, a former PA sports editor. It offers a free news service for community sports organisations, and has also provided outsourced media and content services to The FA, Football Foundation, FIFA Football for Hope and The PFA, as well as leading sports charities such as Panathlon and Coaching for Hope.

The Content Factory, founded also in 2011 by former PA Sport chief executive Buckley and the ex-director of content Elliott, provides media and communication services to a large portfolio of sports and other organisations, and will now support ConnectSport’s work.

Lansley was until recently head of marketing and communications at Street League, the national charity which uses football to tackle youth unemployment, but has left to focus on the new partnership. He joined Street League in 2012 after 15 years at PA.

He said: “After a long career in mainstream media, I have thoroughly enjoyed helping to raise the profile of Street League over the last four years. Now, with the support of The Content Factory, we are excited by the opportunity to help even more grassroots organisations win the coverage and awareness which their fantastic work deserves.”

Buckley said: “Simon has built a strong reputation within the grassroots and community sport sectors and has a wealth of experience in journalism, media and communications. We’re delighted to be working together again and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

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