Name: Edward Freedman
Job Title: Non-Executive Chairman, Icons.com
Job Role: Edward brings his vast retail and football knowledge to the Icons operation and is involved in all the major deals, initiatives and decisions.
Background: Edward has over 40 years experience in the retail industry and in the late 80s was Managing Director of Tottenham Hotspur. He then moved to Manchester United and became Managing Director of Manchester United Merchandising from 1992 onwards. Over the next six years he transformed the commercial side of the club's operation and built the Manchester United into the biggest brand in world football. He was also a key player in the formation of the Premier League and was hailed by The Economist as "football's merchandising guru".
Team: Manchester United
Favourite current player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Favourite ever players: Pele, Johan Cruyff, Eric Cantona
Greatest player ever seen live: Pele in the '66 World Cup at Goodison Park when Portugal kicked him off the park
Favourite footballing moment: Has to be winning the World Cup in '66
Playing record: Played for London School Boys then had to go on an actually earn a living
Contact: Phone: 0 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 7267 3934 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Email: edward@icons.com
Name: Dan Jamieson
Job Title: Managing Director, Icons.com
Job Role: As Icons MD Dan runs business day to day; overseeing the marketing and supply operations, negotiating third party deals and planning the growth of the company.
Background: Graduating with an Economics degree from Cambridge University, Dan has worked in media marketing for 13 years, working for the Guardian & Observer newspapers, Channel 4 and being Head of Marketing for Capital Radio. He worked at Zone, Icons' parent company, for three years as a digital strategist and developed the plan for the Icons website re-launch in 2008.
Team: Growing up in the city in the glory years of the 70s and 80s it was inevitable that he would become a dedicated Liverpool fan.
Favourite current player: Luis Suarez
Favourite ever players: Diego Maradona, Ian Rush, Paul Gascoigne
Greatest player ever seen live: Kenny Dalglish
Favourite footballing moment: Champions League Final 2005, Istanbul
Playing record: Dan is player-chairman of Grantchester Road, a Sunday League football team entering its 14th season and is dreaming of a return to the top flight and a possible cup run.
Contact: Phone: 020 7267 6640 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 020 7267 6640 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Email: dan@icons.com
Name: Ben Soley
Job Title: Marketing and Promotions Executive, Icons.com
Job Role: As Icons Marketing & Promotions Executive, Ben is responsible for the marketing of Icons’ range of signed football memorabilia and promoting the Icons brand to the adoring footballing world.
Background:
Ben joined the Icons team fresh out of the University of Essex with a degree in Psychology. At the university, Ben ran two radio shows and a weekly club night. He ran thriving promotional campaigns for these that saw the club night become one of the most successful student nights in Colchester. From these experiences, as well as a stint in Vodafone’s Marketing department, Ben know how to market any product to an audience.
In addition, Ben has had articles published in the university paper and on websites such as RhythmnCircus.co.uk. His journalistic experience adds depth, and good spelling, to our writing team while his organisational skills make sure promotional drives are run smoothly and efficiently.
Team: Liverpool. As a lad from London, Ben still managed to get to Anfield on a semi-regular basis and is yet to see them loose at home, although they have never won an away game whilst he has been in attendance, which he feels solely responsible for.
Favourite current player: Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard.
Favourite ever players: Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Zidane.
Greatest player ever seen live: Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Dennis Bergkamp.
Favourite footballing moment: Undoubtedly, Liverpool winning the champions league, although this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0NT6aUwN8c&feature=related) is a close second.
Playing record: Winning the F.A. Cup final without a goalkeeper on Championship Manager 2011. In terms of actual playing record, youngster Ben was awarded ‘player of the day’, and later the illustrious ‘player of the week’ award, at Queens Park Rangers training sessions. Unfortunately Ben, like Arsenal, hasn’t managed to add to his silverware collection since 2005.
Contact: Phone: 020 7267 0151 Email: ben@icons.com
Name: Nick Wirght
Job Title: Editorial Intern
Job Role: As the Editorial Intern, Nick's role is to ensure all the content on Icons English and Spanish websites is up to date, accurate and well written. He is also responsible for the management of our social network presence, and updating our blog.
Background: Since graduating in Hispanic Studies and Portuguese from Queen Mary University of London, Nick has been pursuing a career in sports journalism. He has worked at local and national newspapers, and has had work published in a range of publications, including the Sunday Times. Before joining up with Icons he completed an NCTJ in newspaper journalism at Harlow College. Speaks Spanish and Portuguese, and has spent time working as an English teacher in Spain and Mexico.
Team: Arsenal
Favourite current player: Robin van Persie
Favourite ever players: Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, Tony Adams are the childhood heroes.
Greatest player ever seen live: Dennis Bergkamp or Trevor Benjamin
Favourite footballing moment: Tony Adams smashing home in the dying minutes against Everton in 1998 when put through on goal by Steve Bould to cap a 4-1 win as Arsenal won their first title under Wenger.
Playing record: Started career on right-wing for Fulbourn Falcons under 9s. Once invited to train with Ipswich Town (possibly by accident). Right-back for Queen Mary University II team, bit of five-a-side every now and then.
Contact: Phone: 020726779069 Email: nick@icons.com
Name: Scott Hutchison
Job Title: North America Business Development, Central & East Coast Region, Icons.com
Job Role: To expand the profile of the brand and the sales across North America and to forge strategic partnerships with media, retail and brand partners.
Background: After earning his MBA in Marketing from Loyola University of Chicago, Scott has spent 14 years working for global marketing services agencies like Leo Burnett Worldwide, Ogilvy & Mather and Draftfcb. From a soccer perspective, Scott has helped to develop Stateside media sponsorship strategy for SiriusXM Satellite Radio, World Football Daily, FourFourTwo magazine and more.
Team: As a clueless American visiting London for the first time in 1997, I bought a ticket to to see Chelsea v. Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and instantly fell in love with the game. Have followed the Blues ever since...boy, did that decision turn out well for me!
Favourite current player: Frank Lampard
Favourite ever players: Gianfranco Zola, Alan Shearer, David Beckham, Damien Duff
Greatest player ever seen live: Wayne Rooney
Favourite footballing moment: Champions League 2005, John Terry's late header puts Chelsea into the quarter finals and knocks out Barcelona
Playing record: Being 6 foot 4, you'll either find me in goal for a local rec league or preferably out on the basketball court
Contact: Phone: 1-773-504-7788 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-773-504-7788 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Email: scott@icons.com