The Real Life Ted Lasso: Simon Leslie on Transforming Football Clubs and The Business of Football

Join host Johanna Salazar as she delves into an inspiring conversation with Simon Leslie, the serial entrepreneur, founder of Ink and ReachTV, author, speaker and chairman of Eastbourne Borough Football Club. We cover Simon's passion for football and his vision of creating an engaging, community-centered football club that develops human beings beyond the sport. Simon discusses the importance of learning from older generations, leveraging media and technology to engage modern audiences, and innovating within football through unique revenue models and family-friendly experiences. He also touches on his career as an author and media mogul, the parallels between managing a business and a football club, and his approach to revitalizing the sleepy seaside town of Eastbourne. Key topics include resilience, innovation, community building, digital storytelling, and the challenges and opportunities of leading both a media empire and a lower league football club. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction to Simon Leslie: The Real Ted Lasso 01:13 Meet the Host: Johanna Salazar 01:31 Simon Leslie's Background and Achievements 02:28 Simon's Personal Story about his Grandmother and Shared Wisdom 04:04 Operational Differences: Media Empire vs. Football Club 05:50 Reinventing Ink Magazine Post-Pandemic 08:21 Innovative Strategies for Eastbourne Borough FC 10:40 Engaging the Community and Building a Legacy 10:59 The Power of Testing and Learning 11:32 Family and Community in Football 15:59 Digital Storytelling and Social Media Success 18:37 New Soccer Leagues and Their Impact 21:48 Revitalizing Eastbourne Through Football 27:14 Football Club Challenges and Financial Needs 28:19 The Future of Print Media 30:01 Salesmanship: The Key to Success 34:30 Final Thoughts, Closing Remarks and Credits CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra.This episode was edited by Andrés Cote. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements. WEBSITE LINK mediamachinepodcast.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast X/Twitter: @themediamachinepod PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod ABOUT THE PODCAST This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media. #MediaMachine #TheMediaMachinePodcast #MediaMachinePodcast #JohannaSalazar #SimonLeslie #InkMagazine #EastbourneBoroughFC #AIIntelligence #FutureOfMedia #InnovationInMedia #MediaBusiness #ContentCreation #TechAndMedia #MediaDisruptors #BusinessOfEntertainment #MediaStrategy #EntertainmentBusiness #MediaPioneers #MediaIndustryInsights #MediaAndTech #TechInEntertainment #MediaRevolution #CreatorsAndInnovators #NextGenMedia #MediaTrends #SustainableEntertainment #MediaConversations #Mediapodcasts #MediaBusinessPodcast