Paul Blakey Northumbria University, UK

Paul joined the Division of Sport Development, Management and Coaching at Northumbria University in September 2005 after lecturing on Sport and Leisure Management programmes at the University of Chester for the previous ten years. His PhD thesis, from the University of Manchester, focused upon the marketing of small visitor attractions in the North West of England. Prior to embarking on a career in academia, Paul was employed by several sport, leisure and hospitality companies, most notably working as an Assistant Manager with a leading private sector entertainment company. His specialist teaching and research area is marketing of Sport and Leisure, particularly the newly developed concept of ‘Social Sport Marketing’. Paul has worked on collaborative, and individual, research publications, conference presentations and coordinated a nationwide consultancy project for First Leisure Corporation. He is Co-Director of the Sport Management Research Unit (SMRU) within the Department and Paul is also Programme Leader for the MSc International Sport Management.