UPDATED – 27th Feb 23

Applications are now open!

The Digital Marketing Hub Gold Accelerator, delivered by Propel Teams, is a brand new programme for ambitious individuals looking to expand their expertise in digital marketing, and create a clear and concise marketing strategy they can put into action in 2023.

The Digital Marketing Hub (DMH) launched the first round of the Gold Accelerator Programme in January 2023, following the application process in late 2022.

So far 42 individuals from the Digital Marketing Hub have gone through a six-week programme of one-hour weekly sessions, hosted virtually through the Digital Marketing Hub. The feedback from participants has proven how successful it has been and the programme has exceeded all expectations. 

Kevin Pratt, the Digital Engagement and Communications Lead from Snowsports England says “You spend 6 weeks making what feel like small incremental changes in your mindset, only then to realise you have actually fundamentally improved so much of your action plan.”

Karen Parker-Geddes Owner of Dance Energy says “The gold programme was an opportunity for me to reflect on and really focus on refining my digital engagement. It takes you through a process of building up your strategy week by week. As well as all the amazing content and access you have to experts, the engagement with other business owners is invaluable, and I have learned a lot both from listening, exploring and taking action.”

“As I expand my dance business this has given me a solid foundation – it’s a fantastic resource for business owners and I would highly recommend attending no matter what stage you are in your business.”

Applications for round two open on the 27th February and applicants have till the 6th March to complete the submission.  From this a further 42 individuals will be selected from the applications to fill the final three cohorts of the 2023 Digital Marketing Hub Gold Accelerator, which will start in early April.

Taking part not only provides a unique opportunity to hear from and speak with experts from Digital Marketing, but also the opportunity to attend a graduation event at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park,  where a graduation will take place as well as talks and activities to inspire further leaps in Digital Marketing.

Successful applicants will go through a six-week programme starting in April, whereby they will attend a one-hour session each week.

Over the six-week programme participants will be taken through four key topics:

• Understanding your business, your customers and their persona 

• Identifying and comparing digital marketing channels and opportunities

• Creating social media content for specific channels

• Executing your strategy and measuring success

To apply you must first register for the DMH here: https://community.cimspa.co.uk. Then watch out for your joining email. Once you join the DMH platform, you can apply for the Gold Accelerator Programme, where you can select your preferred start date. Applicants will be informed whether they have been selected or not no later than the 17th March.

The Digital Marketing Hub, now in its second year, is proud to announce a team of new partners who have come on board to raise the awareness of this fully funded learning and community platform that is freely available to anyone across sport, fitness and physical activity in England.

The seven new partners joining the Digital Marketing Hub are:

Active Partnerships

Club Matters

Future Fit

Hatton Academy

London Sport

My PT Hub

ukactive

“We are very excited to welcome these seven new partners so that more people who are involved in sport and physical activity can benefit from the Digital Marketing Hub” explained Ollie Bell, Commercial Director at CIMSPA. “Not only will more people become aware of this fully funded and free to access resource, we have excellent opportunities to collaborate, improve the learning available and grow our community of supportive, like-minded people”.

Research has shown that people in a diverse range of roles – students, freelance trainers, sport volunteers, marketing executives, gym & leisure operators and business leaders – all wish to improve their digital marketing expertise. These new partners represent a broad spectrum of the sport, fitness and physical activity ecosystem, allowing more people to hear about the Digital Marketing Hub in their niche or setting.

Being a partner with the Digital Marketing Hub is free of charge. Each partnership is established on mutual collaboration for the benefit of shared goals. The ultimate aim is to best support the diverse workforce that are the heartbeat of sport, fitness and physical activity who need that extra helping hand to best promote their session, activity, club or organisation. If you are interested in becoming a partner with the Digital Marketing Hub please email Ollie Holt: academypm@cimspa.co.uk.

Rosie Benson, Head of Clubs at Sport England, says “Sport England’s Club Matters Team are delighted to be working with the Digital Marketing Hub. Our allied aims of helping organisations to succeed by understanding their people, reaching new audiences, maximising their engagement, and driving growth offers us an exciting opportunity to collaborate and develop new resources to support the sector.”

Nicki Couzens, Relationships Partner at Active Partnerships, says “Active Partnerships are pleased to support the Digital Marketing Hub.  

The variety of webinars, templates, tools and guidance along with the support through items such as the accelerator programme mean the DMH can help support organisations and the workforce understand how to use digital marketing to maximise their impact and encourage more people to be active”.

Carl Richards, Head of Group Education and Operations at Future Fit says “In an industry where over 50% of the workforce say they need support with building their career, teaming up with the Digital Marketing Hub allows fitness professionals the chance to build confidence and access guidance they can use to engage, gain and retain more clients”.

Chris Norfield, Head of Digital Behaviour Change at London Sport says “We believe in the power of digital marketing to help more people access sport and physical activity. But we know that getting started with digital marketing can be difficult, particularly for smaller organisations and those reliant on volunteers. From navigating the complex jargon to keeping up with the ever-changing set of channels or tactics – it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start.”

“That’s why we’ve partnered with the Digital Marketing Hub to make this journey easier for those in our sector. DMH is a great way to bring together simple and actionable advice relevant to those who share our mission of helping people live better lives through physical activity.”  

Richard Hewitt, UK Country Manager Hatton Academy says “We see a lot of our own values reflected in the DMH, when it comes to educating and empowering those who work within the world of fitness and physical activity. We have long sought to equip Hatton Certified Instructors with the knowledge and ability to market their skills, capabilities and ultimately their product, and thus stand the best chance of engaging their target audience.” 

“We see our partnership with the DMH as an extension of this goal, opening a door for Instructors to access a well-funded initiative that can positively impact their long-term education and success.”

Lewis Agnew, COO of My PT Hub says “With digital marketing becoming an ever relied upon lead generation strategy, we’re honoured to partner with the Digital Marketing Hub and look forward to working with you and other like minded brands to deliver valuable insights into such an important topic.”

In December 2022, ukactive published  ‘Digital Futures 2022’ report, which can be downloaded here. The key takeaways reinforce the need for the free resources of the Digital Marketing Hub to provide easy to access and comprehensive content:

91% of respondents say digital helps increase participation

88% say digital helps increase retention 

88% say digital helps to make a positive social impact

66% say their use of digital supports the sector as a whole 

60% say digital will play a critical or central role in their future 

The Digital Marketing Hub is a free resource delivered by CIMSPA, supported by Sport England and funded by the National Lottery. Following a successful first year the Digital Marketing Hub is continuing its headline partnership with Google and the Digital Marketing Institute, and growing its influence across the sport and physical activity landscape. The platform is now available as an app and continues to expand the range of content and support available.

To find out more about The Digital Marketing Hub visit https://digital.cimspa.co.uk/.

To register for the Digital Marketing Hub visit https://community.cimspa.co.uk

18th November 2022

The Digital Marketing Hub launches its Gold Accelerator Programme

The Digital Marketing Hub (DMH) delivered by CIMSPA and supported by Sport England through a National Lottery award, has now entered its second year. The DMH is a free digital marketing resource and community platform available to anyone involved in sport and physical activity in England – such as freelance trainers, sport volunteers, charities, marketing executives, business owners and gym operators.

An area for Year 2 growth of the DMH is the launch of The Digital Marketing Hub Gold Accelerator Programme, which is free and fully funded. It has been created to provide ambitious individuals with a new way to expand their expertise in digital marketing beyond that currently available in the DMH.

Following the success of the group coaching programme in Year 1, it is clear that being part of a group of learners with the support of a trainer, and sharing with peers is important. This type of learning really helps individuals and organisations bring their digital marketing strategy to life.

The Digital Marketing Hub Gold Accelerator Programme is now ready to accept its first round of applicants to participate in the programme commencing in January 2023. This programme will provide cohorts of learners with dedicated trainer led sessions and access to expert mentors.

Successful applicants will go through a six-week programme starting in 2023, whereby they will attend a one-hour session each week.

Over the six-week programme participants will be taken through four key topics:

1. Understanding your business, your customers and their persona 

2. Identifying and comparing digital marketing channels and opportunities

3. Creating social media content for specific channels

4. Executing your strategy and measuring success

Graduates of the Gold Accelerator Programme will have enhanced skills and expertise to take their digital marketing strategy or plan to the next level. 

Adam Freeman-Pask, Head of Digital Innovation at Sport England says “We welcome the addition of the Digital Marketing Hub Gold Accelerator Programme, alongside the existing expert webinar sessions and the new community feature of the Hub.”

“We have seen the value accelerators can bring first hand via our Birmingham 2022 legacy investments and the Innovation and Digital Accelerator. Sport England are looking forward to the first round of registrations opening and the accelerator launching in early 2023.”

The first round of applications opens at 12pm on the 21^st November and will close at midnight on Monday 28^th November.  To apply you must first register for the DMH here: https://community.cimspa.co.uk. Then watch out for your joining email. Once you join the DMH platform, you can apply for the Gold Accelerator Programme, where you can select your preferred start date. Applicants will be informed whether they have been selected or not no later than the 18^th December.

Register today and find out more about the DMH here: https://digital.cimspa.co.uk/