CODA Launches Sports Division; Appoints Debbie Ward To Lead Brand Partnerships, Sync & Corporate

CODA
– CODA
The agency launched a dedicated sports agency by the name of CODA Independent Sports

London-based CODA Agency today announced the establishment of CODA Independent Sports agency and the appointment of Debbie Ward to a new leadership position.

The sports division is the result of a partnership with Paul and Barney Crockford of London-based Crockford Management and Independent Talent Group. The agency is launching with an emphasis on soccer, with the Premier League’s Jordon Ibe, Kortney Hause and Kadeem Harris among the athletes on its roster.

“Coda Independent Sports is a unique offering combining business expertise with personal attention, and access to a global infrastructure across all media unparalleled in the sports field,” Paul Crockford said in a statement. Crockford’s music roster includes Mark Knopfler, Youngr, Blue Americans, Basic Tape, Wild Front and Rothwell.

CODA partner James Whitting said in a statement: “We are also really pleased to be teaming up with the Crockfords in launching our Sports Agency, CODA Independent Sports. Just need to sign some Arsenal players and that will be job done!”

Debbie Ward
– Debbie Ward
Joined CODA as the agency’s lead on Brand Partnerships, Sync and Corporate

Ward has joined CODA as the agency’s lead on Brand Partnerships, Sync and Corporate, coming to CODA with more than 20 years of experience in brand collaborations, having worked with Wilderness, Love Box, Field Day, and Printworks festivals.

“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge – CODA has a stellar reputation and an epic portfolio of artists,” Ward said in a statement. “There’s so much opportunity to collaborate with brands and talent to create content-rich, engaging and potentially ground-breaking solutions.”

CODA is partnered with Paradigm Talent Agency and launched a joint ventured with Independent Talent Group in 2017. Based in Europe, its overseas roster includes Imagine Dragons, Take That, Shawn Mendes, Ellie Goulding, Bon Iver, Liam Gallagher, The xx, and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man.

In 2018 CODA has signed Geoff Meall, Tom Taaffe and AnnBewers, all from UTA.