As part of its continued servicing of existing clients and new business growth, Essentially has strengthened its senior team and today announces the appointment of Will Dowdy as Sales Director and Sarah Dawson as Head of Client Services, with Nick Hoyle moving into the role of MD UK.
Will Dowdy joins from AEG after five successful years where he rose to Director of Partnerships. During his time there he secured long term entertainment sponsorships with the likes of Sony and PepsiCo for The O2 and naming rights deals with the Co-operative and KPMG. Prior to AEG Will worked at Benchmark Sport and Global Media. He joins Essentially 
to head up the sales team and assist the drive for new sponsors across its large portfolio of sport, music and event properties.
Sarah Dawson has joined to head up the expanding Client Services Division, overseeing the Rights Management, Events and Brand Management & Activation teams. In recent years the Division has expanded into music to compliment its sporting offering and the team delivers campaigns for international brands including Miller Genuine Draft’s “Miller Music Tour” in New York, Dove Men+Care’s sponsorships in Rugby Union, Laithwaite’s Wine partnership with the ECB and the commercial rights of the RaboDirect PRO12 on behalf of Celtic Rugby.
Most recently Sarah was Director of one of the Olympic Legacy projects, Gold Challenge, which was partnered with Team GB & Sport England and encouraged 150,000 consumers into Olympic sports in the lead up to London 2012. During this time she also directed one of the three test events in the Olympic Stadium for 20,000 consumers. She was previously Head of Sport for Limelight Sports, UK Sports Agency of the Year 2010 and prior to Limelight Sports, was an Event Director for Taste Festivals at Brand Events, the company behind global events including Top Gear Live and Taste Festivals.
Nick Hoyle
Alongside the two external appointments Essentially promotes Nick Hoyle into the position of MD having had responsibility for running the UK Sales Division as well as wider company new business and growth.
Will said: “I could not be joining Essentially at a more exciting time. The company already has an enviable position in sport sponsorship and player management and I look forward to being a part of the continued growth. And on the back of some fantastic work at the London 2012 Olympics, CSM Sport & Entertainment is proving itself to be one of the top sports marketing companies in the world.”
Sarah said, “I am thrilled to join Essentially and help grow the team and business in what is an exciting year for us with the Investec Ashes, Lions Tour and the Miller Music Tour in New York. Being part of CSM has brought all four companies (Essentially, Fasttrack, Icon and iLUKA) closer together and it’s a very exciting time for the business.”