Adrian Bevington: Crisis communications, football and the coronavirus
Like every industry, sport is trying to cope with the impact of the coronavirus and understand how it will reemerge once the current crisis has passed.
In uncertain times, clear and effective communication is always crucial. Adrian Bevington has managed this function at a number of high-profile football organisations, most notably the English FA. He has also held key strategic roles.
Adrian Bevington
Bevington is well-placed to articulate the core tenets of effective communications at this time and understand the opportunity to reframe a better, more socially-responsible football industry once society returns to some semblance of normality.
We also discussed Adrian’s career with England and Wales as well as the changing nature of football media.
TOPICS
The communication principles to use in the coronavirus crisis
The differences of approach around European football
Rights and wrongs of a holding statement
The possible repositioning of football after we return - “We could be a better society at the end of this, one where we are kinder”
Reframing the narrative around the game
Collaborative working between clubs
Looking back at changes during Adrian’s time as Director of Communications for the England team
The first Twitter World Cup
The influence of Gareth Southgate in England’s recent PR revival
The change in newspapers’ influence and tone in recent decades
How England players like Lampard, Gerrard etc learnt to handle the media
The rigours of the role - being on call 24/7, arguments, powerful personalities
How to use social media to correct negative stories
The move to become MD of Team England
The rarity of moving into a leadership role with a background in communications
In the post-coronavirus football world will the leadership of football clubs lean more to communications and community?
Moving to the FA of Wales for this their successful Euro
The pressure of certain countries/club and how that can stifle joy
Extrapolating a positive culture when you have a great leader
Values - creating them and communicating them. “Values are not just words, Values are what you live”
Having stretch targets and creating transparency with supporters
The pressure of success and how that affects values
Adrian’s key tips for sporting organisations when we emerge from the coronavirus
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