Ex-Synergy Duo Launch New Sports PR Agency MatchFit

Sports PR agency MatchFit, with Donald Parish and Will Mitchell at the helm, made its official launch into the market today.  The agency is already working with some major names in UK sport. 

Launched on the back of recent work for the clients such as The Football Association (The FA) and Aviva, MatchFit aims to offer a big agency experience combined with the personal and agile delivery of a smaller setup. 

Established by former Synergy staffers Donald Parish and Will Mitchell, the duo brings over a decade’s experience in sport and consumer PR, across numerous leading sponsorships. 

Since setup, MatchFit has worked with The FA on a number of projects, notably creating and executing a summer press campaign to launch The FA SuperKicks, a new app which aims to increase football participation, fun and learning for both children and parents. The agency has also created and activated a number of campaigns for Aviva focused around their partnership with Norwich City Football Club, and is retained to amplify the Aviva Community Fund for 2020. 

Other client work has included The English Football League’s activation with the charity Mind on World Mental Health Day 2018, highlighting the role football can play in tackling mental health problems. As well as providing white label sports PR consultancy to a number of industry trade partners, MatchFit delivered ongoing PR support for DNAfit, the leading sports, health and wellness genetics brand who appointed former England international Rio Ferdinand as an adviser in 2018. 

Commenting on the launch, Donald Parish, Co-Founder of MatchFit, said:  “By launching MatchFit, we feel expertly placed to answer an increasing need from clients who hugely value quality creative and sporting insight, but also crucially a personal delivery they can trust. Over the last decade we’ve been inspired by, and learnt from, brilliant colleagues and peers. I’m excited about the chance to now do things our way and give clients a team that is truly MatchFit.”

Co-Founder of MatchFit Will Mitchell added:  “At MatchFit we share a deep passion for sport with our clients. Not only for how it can bring people together in these divisive times, but also its ability to move, shape, change and cheer us. I’m proud that MatchFit is now collaborating with brilliant clients to deliver cutting-edge campaigns which truly harness the power of sport.”

David Gerty, PR & Campaigns Team Lead for The FA said: “MatchFit has delivered strong work on a number of projects this year, not least the hugely successful activity for The FA SuperKicks app this Summer. Without question we’ve benefitted greatly from their deep football experience and creative PR approach, matched by high-class delivery we can trust. We look forward to continuing our positive working relationship with the team at MatchFit in the future.”

Another client, Jude Brooks, UK Head of Corporate Responsibility for Aviva said: “We have been continually impressed by the fresh thinking and creativity shown by MatchFit in our time working together. Whether driving internal campaigns or leading external celebrations of our partnerships, they work seamlessly with our in-house team to deliver work we can all be proud of. We look forward to collaborating with MatchFit once again, during the forthcoming 2020 edition of the Aviva Community Fund.”