THE ALBACHIARA JOURNAL

An eclectic collection of our opinion and perspective, from our travels and encounters.

Sports Darwin Moment
roger mitchell
May 3, 2019

One of the huge challenges for any content creator is the tsunami of available “copy” out there for free. Good content. Gratis. It’s bloody hard to compete with “free” Incidentally, this exactly was the dilemma facing my splendid podcast co-host, Grant Williams, in founding his SVOD financial media company Real Vision. “don’t do it, there […]

Read More

Library

Placing sports bets in Vegas

On what is one to reflect upon during an 11 hour flight to NAB in Vegas? The future, I’d say. The last 30 years in music, sport has been utterly dictated by tech disruption. Whether it’s from the rights holder perspective, the broadcaster, sponsor, publisher, artist/athlete. But it’s only started. Do people get that? Are […]

roger mitchell, Apr 23, 2019

Who is really rocking the music biz today?

The real problem of modern record companies nowadays is not what we often hear about: the lack of amazing artists, of big numbers, of big margins… The real problem is the lack of great, visionary pioneers and leaders.   When I started in this business, everybody knew the names of the people who were shaping […]

Sàndor Von Mallasz, Apr 2, 2019

AAA Condottieri illuminati cercasi

Quando penso all’eccellenza italiana, la mia mente torna a 10 anni fa, quando visitai per la prima volta Solomeo. Un piccolo e delizioso borgo umbro, è noto ormai in tutto il mondo perché sede di un marchio simbolo di tutto ciò che di bello e superiore l’Italia può produrre: Brunello Cucinelli. Ero in viaggio con […]

raffaella cardarelli, Mar 19, 2019

Is charisma just a fraud?

I was never any good at English. In fact my teacher told my parents, (albeit with a breath soaked in whisky), that I would not pass my English Higher. I did, I even fluked a B, but he was actually correct. I had no feeling for the language, the style, the flow, the poetry. At […]

roger mitchell, Mar 11, 2019

Cantona or Kante? A business lesson from sport

In the Reform Club sessions of our podcast, there was a lament about a lack of flair in sport, on and off the field. Now, for sure, Grant and I do have a tendency to lead our guests into discussions around Higgins, Botham, Senna, Barry John, Best, and even Charlie Nicholas. We love that stuff. […]

roger mitchell, Feb 19, 2019

Basta. Mi licenzio!

  Vi è mai capitato di pensare o, più concretamente, pronunciare un: “Basta. Mi licenzio!”? E vivere il “dopo” più come una liberazione, che come una preoccupazione? A me sí! 20 anni fa. Ero, molto giovane, la Responsabile Marketing di un quotidiano importante, ma non ero felice.  “Basta. Non metterò mai più piede in questo […]

raffaella cardarelli, Jan 31, 2019

Authenticity of content

Sometimes your week finds a way to summarise itself at the end. Bringing together a whole load of apparently unrelated events into a theme and common thread.  This is the story of a week like that, with its fils rouge. A potpourri of stimuli coming together, thanks to a new business partner. In our case, […]

roger mitchell, Jan 22, 2019

Danzando con le api per costruire un futuro migliore

E’ opinione diffusa e dai più condivisa che i nostri figli, oggi, scelgano i loro studi “al buio”, finendo per frequentare scuole superiori e corsi di laurea che non li prepareranno a dovere per il lavoro di un domani sempre più imperscrutabile.  Si è affermato a più riprese, e giustamente, che quando la generazione Z – […]

raffaella cardarelli, Jan 13, 2019

A very merry Christmas to all of you, from all of us! Un sereno Natale a tutti voi, da noi tutti!

We are looking forward to a new year of sharing knowledge through stories and to seeing you all in 2019! Sarà un onore continuare a condividere conoscenza attraverso le nostre storie anche nel nuovo anno. Ci vediamo nel 2019!  

raffaella cardarelli, Dec 23, 2018

The corporate jester

  For many, the most interesting character in Shakespeare is the Fool. He appears in one guise or another in almost all the plays, but, likely, most famously in King Lear. The Fool, or his close cousin, the Jester, have always played a central role in the courts of power, entertaining the aristocracy. Usually clever […]

roger mitchell, Dec 19, 2018

The incredible transformation of HR, the ugly duckling

  Once upon a time, in the Business Kingdom, lived an ugly duckling called HR. This is the story of her incredible transformation into a beautiful swan. Because, sometimes, dreams do come true.   HR came to life with an important task: to select the most beautiful birds of the world and to make the Business Kingdom […]

raffaella cardarelli, Dec 11, 2018

Vox populi e il potere della radio intelligente – Roberto Puliero

Le voci dei cronisti diventano spesso parte integrante del ricordo ‘storico’ di un dato avvenimento. La voce che per prima ci dona la Notizia, la voce che è più nell’istante del Momento, diventa parte integrante dell’Attimo storico e passerà un tutt’uno con il ricordo stesso. Fate un rapido check mentale e pensate al primo avvenimento […]

Jacopo Ziliotto, Dec 3, 2018

Una vita da mediano

  I could be artificially clever here and talk business about team building, the need for different people and different skills, the importance of the artisan over the artist. I could throw in some pertinent impressive quotes from some famous person. Without much effort I could make this the heart of an American self-help book about […]

roger mitchell, Nov 27, 2018

A VC and sporttech goldrush

What is early stage investing really all about? Once you strip away the BS. Are we in a VC and sportstech bubble, where fundamentals are forgotten? If so, what axioms can keep you on solid ground? Over the last 4 years, especially via our ongoing work with the football sector in Israel, we’ve been exposed to […]

roger mitchell, Nov 19, 2018

Think small, aim big

Sentiamo spesso parlare di Big Data. Con questa definizione si descrive l’insieme delle tecnologie e delle metodologie che permettono la raccolta e l’analisi dettagliata di grandi quantità d’informazioni, spesso molto eterogenee tra loro. Sono utilissime, se sei un leader di un’industria, uno di quelli che aspira a dettare le regole e che, per questo, deve […]

Sàndor Von Mallasz, Nov 7, 2018

Ridisegnare un sito: un viaggio strategico, non informatico

Abbiamo deciso di inserire in piattaforma un Journal, proprio perché siamo coscienti che raccontare è molto meglio che presentare; condividere le proprie passioni, attira professionisti che la pensano come te e, quindi, potenziali clienti e partner con cui non solo avviare progetti di sostanza […]

raffaella cardarelli, Nov 6, 2018

The Odyssey of journalism

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the story of the last dozen years in what used to be called the newspapers and magazine business. I, Albachiara, have had a ringside seat in all this, in a case study that will be in all the top business school MBAs. It will be called: The sociopaths who drank the Kool Aid. So where are we now? Let’s focus merely on sports journalism (ok content if you must) […]

roger mitchell, Oct 27, 2018

2 belle facce della stessa medaglia

Quando mi è stato chiesto di produrre un’immagine per il podcast di Grant e Roger, mi sono trovato ad affrontare, per l’ennesima volta, quel conflitto interiore che mi accompagna da tutta la vita, sulla natura della Realtà, cosa sia reale e cosa no, cosa sia ‘vero’ – nel senso di ‘giusto’ – e che cosa non lo sia. Prendiamo lo sport […]

Jacopo Ziliotto, Oct 9, 2018

The new dawn of knowledge

In an ever more saturated business world, where barriers to entry have all but disappeared, competitive threats are everywhere, business models change in the blink of an eye and the “new” customer is harder and harder to please, the only resource we, (business) people, can still turn to, to really make a difference, is knowledge. Knowledge has been described, […]

raffaella cardarelli, Sep 30, 2018

Sport’s Forgotten Market

For all of us of any generation, sport is a life journey. So, how we view it at say 50 is naturally with different eyes than the 10 year old we once were. Sport remains a constant, a certainty, a point of reference. Or does it? These days, when we have the arrival of very rational financial investors and PE firms, more and more of us are dismayed by the accepted […]

roger mitchell, Sep 22, 2018

La nuova musica italiana

Troppo spesso leggo e sento parlare di “nuovi gggiovani” o di “it.pop” e amenità del genere: sono definizioni di circostanza, utili per chi non sa distinguere tra Motta, Nitro e Sfera Ebbasta e che fa molto prima a categorizzare tutto in un unico calderone. Ma c’è una grande differenza tra questi ragazzi, a cominciare dal fatto che i repper cazzucazzucazzu e la trap sono principalmente prodotti […]

Sàndor Von Mallasz, Sep 20, 2018

We in Scotland were OTT back in 2002

It is impossible if you operate in sports or media, to not feel you are constantly playing buzzword bingo. Social media allows us all to “brand” ourselves as experts on the meme of the day, and in my sector, its cut-the cord, over-the-top(OTT), B2C, rights owner content strategy, unbundling of paytv, data led engagement.[…]

roger mitchell, Jun 3, 2015

The Albachiara Podcast

Are you not entertained?

Episode 22. May 9, 2019

Guest: Chris Cairns

Grant and Roger welcome world class, and very erudite, cricketer Chris Cairns for a very honest conversation about played sport and the directions he sees in the business of sport. He firstly discusses how he has dealt with being the son of a great sportsman; then about the future of New Zealand sport, Allblacks and CVC; what takes a sportsperson to elite level; inside stories of great all rounders; Miller and the Don; Christchurch and the role of sports; matchfixing; and, finally, the future of sport content and rendered virtual worlds.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 21. May 2, 2019

Guest: Eddie Pepperell

Following a compulsory eulogy for the greatest footballer Celtic FC has ever had, Billy Mcneill, Grant and Roger welcome a very special guest this week: Eddie Pepperell. A unique insight into the mindset and DNA of a top top golfer and very impressive young man. On and off the course, he is astonishingly deep, and yet not too serious. Just perfect. All we can say is we’ve got our golfer for the next generation. 

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 20. Apr 25, 2019

Guest: Matt Rogan

A jammed packed episode for all sport lovers with a great guest. Matt Rogan, co-founder of Two Circles, one of the most forward-thinking sports marketing agency in the world. What a story Matt told us! Son of sporting parents; a reluctant wing back wanting to be Nevin; standing in the Shed; loving the lonely mental battle of tennis and golf; the attraction of the David Speedies in life; leadership culture in sport, Adrian Moorhouse, and building a great company vision; challenging governing bodies to grow and get better; sport, following music, a deep dive on modern data driven sports marketing; selling your company when the right time comes; a different view on Tiger’s redemption; the history of the U.K. in the Olympics; coaching kids in 2019. Just wow! 

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 19. Apr 22, 2019

Guest: Goal - Own goal

From Malibu to Augusta National, our hosts discuss NCAA and true sportsmanship; German bottle crashing at Dortmund; Neeta’s story changing young girls’ lives; Augusta showcasing women’s golf in all its splendor; “stop the greed” for ticket prices; Fulham going down; rebranding the FA for the politically correct; Strachan becoming MrAngry; not liking the scousers; soft London football. Splendid chat. 

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 18. Apr 18, 2019

Guest: Federico Smanio

Grant and Roger delve into the world of Italian football with Federico Smanio. Ex pro, ex league director, currently running the wonderful Wylab sports incubator. Federico is a powerful and rare example of a professional athlete turned into a sports businessman thanks to his resilience, academic studies and sacrifice. His insight into the sport from all perspectives is totally authentic. 

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 17. Apr 7, 2019

Guest: Goal - Own Goal

Grant and Roger enjoy commenting on the international week, dwelling on diverging fortunes for the home nations; the ongoing purgatory of Scotland, and the fearless youth of England. The return of Vialli to his beloved Sampdoria? Playing Serie A in China….thin end of the wedge? Points deductions for breaking FFP, end of “speculate to accumulate”? Ronnie O’Sullivan back at No1 in snooker. The clear evidence of the rise of women’s sport. And of course, the rugby big money saga again!

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 16. Apr 4, 2019

Guest: Richard Gillis

Roger and Grant host Richard Gillis, sports journalist, author (The Captain Myth) and all round thought leader. Astonishing insight on PE investors, leadership, sport polarisation, sporting myths, and authentic punditry (like Benaud). Also discussing Grant’s medal partner Eddy Pepperell, epic rugby comebacks, and F1 sports documentaries. So much in here for anyone reflecting on the changes on sport. As a fan, or big money investor. One of our best episodes. So much in here. Do absolutely not miss this!

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 15. Mar 28, 2019

Guest: Goal - Own Goal

Grant and Roger discuss charming the ladies at baseball, English clubs doing the business in Europe, fan invasions and paying the price, bribing sports directors to get into Uni, and the magnificent chaos of Italian football.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 14. Mar 21, 2019

Guest: Dave Cormack

The lads welcome Dave Cormack. Based in the US and a massively successful tech founder, he still gives his time and money to his hometown team of AberdeenFC. We talk Joe Harper, Bobby Clark and the arrival of Fergie. Winning attitudes. The upside of 1 team cities, new stadia, leadership, mentality, team building, people management and polarisation.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 13. Mar 6, 2019

Guest: Mark Yusko

Grant and Roger discuss the musical chairs around their own clubs, the modern generation of players and how to coach them. They then open an inspiring door into American sports culture with their guest, Mark Yusko. American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist, Mark is a true believer in college sports values. He has been promoting them at Notre Dame, the highly rated University from Indiana, USA. Mark leaves us with true wisdom, as a world class philanthropist and a huge sports fan.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 12. Feb 28, 2019

Guest: Goal - Own Goal

Grant is back in the saddle with Roger, discussing the closing chapter in the career of Lindsey Vonn. Beautiful memories of the magnificent Roberto Baggio bring to light how much sacrifice is part of becoming a champion. We then hear an incredible golf story of today: how, not tipping your caddie enough, can get you slammed. Finally, Roger and Grant argue over how much a dead player should cost and what price loyalty to the “land of your fathers”.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 11. Feb 21, 2019

Guest: James Davies Yandle

Roger is joined by guest host Mike Meehall Wood, whilst Grant takes a well earned rest. Special guest interview with James Davies Yandle. Today’s podcast talks extensively about: sledging and homophobia; Scottish football culture and the ongoing pull of losing but authentic teams; the importance of real football people to mentor young kids (Eric Harrison!); the role of academies and undue pressures placed on children; working with Fabio Cannavaro; the traits of good and bad coaches; nature v nurture; when playing with Garcia make you realise the reality; is pro sport now curtailing the full university education route in sports (?); growing pains in professional rugby; emerging markets changing sport on and off the field; playing in other countries like NFL/NBA; the potential of Newcastle United and how big finance looks at it; hockey OTT mycujjoo; and, finally, what could be the best way to market niche sports.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Mike Meehall Wood

Episode 10 - The Meeting - Part 3. Feb 13, 2019

Guest: Murray Barnett, Steve Martin, Giles Morgan

Third and final part of our fabulous Meeting at the Reform Club in London! Grant and Roger conclude it, discussing the future: where to now for sport? Will the increasing influence of big finance undermine the authenticity our fathers gave us? And, in conclusion, will female sport keep us real?

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 10 - The Meeting - Part 2. Feb 7, 2019

Guest: Murray Barnett, Steve Martin, Giles Morgan

Part 2 of our fabulous afternoon in London at the Reform Club with Murray Barnett, Steve Martin and Giles Morgan.
Following a short, yet poignant analysis of the recent sports industry report just published from Deloitte, the guys discuss GOATs and generational conflicts. The future of sport journalism, great storytelling and content that works.
So much wisdom and competence in the room!

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 10 - The Meeting - Part 1. Feb 3, 2019

Guest: Murray Barnett, Steve Martin, Giles Morgan

Grant and Roger introduce the first session of the Meeting, an in-person discussion on the future of sport, and its related businesses, with top industry figures. In Part 1, extraordinary insight into the future of sponsorship and broadcasting, all from the perspective of the fan.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 9. Jan 13, 2019

Guest: Colin O'Donnell

Grant and Roger return for 2019, sampling the crazily in-depth knowledge of die hard Gooner Colin O’Donnell. Asking if Wenger was really a bluff in debt to Graham. Charlie, Chipper and Fever Pitch, Arsenal TV and new stadia. Is Gerrard more of a winner than Rodgers. Oh and some Irish golf and rugby to top off what was truly a one of a kind interview. 

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 8. Jan 3, 2019

Guest: Goal - Own Goal

Grant and Roger forensically dissect the Sunderland documentary and the inside persona of Martin Bain; calling “bullshit” on the media and their last chance saloon; models for top journos becoming their own brand; Charles Barkley and authentic dads; lamenting the end of Cup replays; the folly of caretaker managers; and private equity’s creeping control in sport. 

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 7 Part 2. Dec 20, 2018

Guest: Giles Morgan

Grant and Roger are totally absorbed by the storytelling talent of Giles Morgan, as he recounts the culture and glory of Welsh rugby, great commentators, taking on Beefy as a schoolboy, Björn Borg setting tennis alight, and different formats in golf. Oh and we get into all the very big issues in the industry. Engagement, authenticity, and the keeping the “magic of emotion”. Sporttech and learning. DONT NOT MISS THIS, TRUST ME!

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 7 Part 1. Dec 19, 2018

Guest: Goal - Own Goal

Grant and Roger heap praise on Steve Clarke and Killie, enjoy the rehabilitation of Tyson Fury and boxing, rats at the Palace surely not?, the Pogba virus is only a symptom of the cancer, and “loser sexism” in football. Whilst introducing the life and times of the magnificent sport industry guru Giles Morgan.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 6 Part 2. Dec 13, 2018

Guest: Steve Martin

Grant and Roger discuss with Steve his love of rugby and golf, from the importance of being a young flyhalf in Ulster during the Troubles, thru what works and doesn’t work today, to building esprit de corps at the Ryder Cup. Dangers for rights holders with the fragmentation of broadcast platforms and the prospects for OTT? Ending discussing women’s sport and Beckham, as sport moves more into celebrity, fashion and lifestyle.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 6 Part 1. Nov 26, 2018

Guest: Goal - Own Goal

Roger and Grant discuss the dignity of boxing and a new golden age with Dazn; Lowrys and the PFA, why Scudamore is worth every penny, and paying to go to the stadium to NOT see the game. We sample,  pregame, the wisdom of guest Steve Martin MC Saatchi.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 5 Part 2. Nov 19, 2018

Guest: Murray Barnett

Roger and Grant are joined, this week, by Murray Barnett. In what promises to be a truly captivating interview, discussions range from what makes a great sports pundit, to Football and World Rugby, to the post Ecclestone era of Formula 1 motorsports and to the future of how the world’s sports fans could be consuming sport content while honoring the past.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 5 Part 1. Nov 10, 2018

Goal - Own Goal

Grant and Roger discuss the Fulham death spiral and how to trade it, magnificent violence in the Argentinian superclassico, the football Leaks X-ray into decaying values,  fake caps for Rooney; ending with the glory of the work ethic authenticity of Marcelo Bielsa.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 4. Oct 14, 2018

Guest: Stuart Cosgrove

Amazing discussion with media legend and ultra fan Stuart Cosgrove on fan culture and what they now want from modern media, and how to service it. An honest critique of modern (Scottish) tv rights negotiations; the need to grasp the massive opportunities of sporttech. Genius ideas. Stuart beautifully articulates how you fall in love with your club and why. You can tell why Stuart has had an amazing career.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 3 Part 2. Oct 8, 2018

Guest: Ray Ranson

Ray Ranson talks to Roger and Grant about the evolution of U.K. football over 40 years. From Malcolm Alisson to Mourinho. Ray tells us stories from the perspective of player, chairman and financier including buying Coventry, the Rangers asset play, hedge funds, and trading sports assets. This is slow media that is full of gold.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 3 Part 1. Oct 7, 2018

Goal - Own Goal

Roger and Grant discuss some of this week’s sporting news that you may not have been on your radar and what it all means for the sporting community. Sports Streaming, Gary Neville, Messi, Halesowen Town, and the BBC all feature and as is often the case, Grant and roger don’t see eye to eye on everything in this full episode of Goal/Own Goal. But one thing they do agree on is that the Ray Ranson teaser will get everyone excited for a GREAT Part 2.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 2. Sep 28, 2018

Guest: Jim Kerr

Jim Kerr of the infamous band “Simple Minds” takes time out from his world tour to join Roger and Grant in a discussion around football culture and connection, from boyhood to fatherhood. The modern generations and content. The role of authentic in music and sport, buying Celtic, and so much more. With irreverent commentary on all the week’s topical sporting news.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams

Episode 1. Sep 20, 2018

Guest: Pat Nevin

Pat Nevin, post punk world class footballer for Chelsea, Everton et al, club ceo, player unionist, pundit and thought leader, joins Roger and Grant in a discussion around modern fan culture compared to the Shed, today’s sport media, how Chelsea has developed under Sarri, is America changing European football, the skills needed to buy and run clubs, being ceo at motherwell, attitudes to diversity in football, and so much more. With irreverent comment on all the week’s topical news.

Hosts: Roger Mitchell - Grant Williams
© 2018 Albachiara sagl - all rights reserved terms of use Privacy Policy