CODA Agency Launches CODA Independent Sports and Expands its Brand Partnerships Team with Debbie Ward

11 December 2018 - Press release

CODA Agency announces two major growth moves today; the creation of sports agency CODA Independent Sports, and an expansion of their Brand Partnerships and Corporate team with the appointment of Debbie Ward.

CODA have partnered with Paul and Barney Crockford of Crockford Management, as well as Independent Talent Group (ITG), to launch CODA Independent Sports.
Currently specialising in football, CODA Independent Sports aims to become one of the top global sports agencies, with a roster of elite players from across the UK including Premier League players Jordon Ibe, Kortney Hause and Kadeem Harris, amongst many others.
Paul Crockford said: “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.”
Crockford launched his music management company Crockford Management in 1987, with the current roster including the likes of Mark Knopfler, Youngr, Blue Americans, Basic Tape, Wild Front
and Rothwell.
James Whitting, partner at CODA, said: “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!”
In other news, veteran brand partnership specialist Debbie Ward has joined CODA as the agency’s lead on Brand Partnerships, Sync and Corporate.
Ward has more than 20 years of experience devising brand collaborations across media and live music, including leading the art of brand integration at festivals such as Wilderness and Lovebox and more recently launching Global’s festival brand business of 19 live assets (including Printworks, Field Day, Snowbombing and Victorious). Debbie led the brand team of 20+ and won activity such as Smirnoff Equalising Music programme and Magners & Orchard Pig Global exclusive term.
Ward said: “I'm really looking forward to this new challenge - CODA has a stellar reputation and an epic portfolio of artists. There's so much opportunity to collaborate with brands and talent to create content-rich, engaging and potentially ground-breaking solutions.”
CODA’s James Whitting, said: “We are delighted to welcome Debbie to CODA. Debbie comes with a vast knowledge of brand partnerships and we are very excited for the prospect of the additional services and revenues she is going to bring to our clients.

CODA, which is partnered with Paradigm Talent Agency and who launched a joint venture with Independent Talent Group last year, is the fastest growing European live music agency. Its eclectic roster includes Liam Gallagher, The xx, Imagine Dragons, Sia, Rag’N’Bone Man, Bon Iver, Ellie Goulding, Take That, The Prodigy, Chvrches, Shawn Mendes, Years & Years, and First Aid Kit. CODA most recently won Agency of the Year at the Festival Awards 2018.