Sportway Media Group today announced its expansion into the Australian sports media industry through the launch of its subsidiary Sportway Australia.
Sportway Australia will be spearheaded by industry stalwarts Mark Hardess and Brian Meinrath. This strategic expansion marks a noteworthy change in the landscape of sports media and event production in the country.
Mark Hardess has been appointed CEO of Sportway Australia. Across his extensive career he has worked in positions that covered media rights sales, broadcast production, running of events, marketing of events and athlete management. He has worked throughout Asia and Australia operating across sports from golf and football to cricket, basketball and tennis. In all his roles, he has showcased his ability to handle large-scale operations, with Sports Federations, Broadcasters and Event Sponsors. Mark’s perspective on joining Sportway reflects our shared dedication to innovation and growth in the ever-evolving sports media industry:
“I am thrilled to embrace this new chapter with Sportway. The expansion into the Australian sports media industry marks a significant milestone, and I am confident in our collective ability to drive innovation and success. I look forward to navigating the challenges and opportunities, bringing forth a new era in sports media excellence.”
Brian Meinrath, appointed as Vice President (VP) of Sales & Business Development, brings his strategic acumen and diverse experience across sport, media and technology sectors. Brian’s specialisation encompasses broadcast technology and production, OTT development, and the commercialisation of broadcast and data rights and sports properties. He was instrumental in the development of a national streaming platform for football in Australia (NPL.TV) as well as introducing AI broadcast camera technology to the local market.
Brian said: “Sportway’s expansion into Australia is timely. It presents an exciting opportunity to work with sports rights holders to re-evaluate their current activity and explore an array of technology that drives efficiency, growth and commercial outcomes. I look forward to playing a key role in shaping the success for Sportway and our customers in Australia”.
Daniel Franck, CEO of Sportway Media Group, expresses his enthusiasm about Mark and Brian leading Sportway Australia:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Hardess as CEO and Brian Meinrath as VP of Sales & Business Development to the newly started Sportway Australia. Mark’s extensive experience, notably with Golf Australia, Sportfive, and World Sport Group, brings invaluable knowledge to our team. Brian’s successful tenure at Pixellot and Football NSW showcases his versatility and leadership. Their combined expertise aligns perfectly with Sportway’s commitment to innovation and growth, setting the stage for a transformative journey in the Australian sports media landscape.”
Sportway Media Group (https://sportwaymediagroup.com/) is a company engaged in the production and commercialization of media rights, also owning technology and software supporting streaming services, including AI production. Operating in thirteen countries with offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki, Riga, Prague, Melbourne, and Auckland, Sportway Media Group is poised to stream over 250,000 events for the 23/24 season across various sports, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.
