About us

JSC has over fifteen years’ experience in PR and communications, specialising in the lifestyle, sports and venue sectors, with global expertise and connections throughout the world of horse racing.

 

As well as promoting some of the UK’s biggest racing festivals, including The Investec Derby and Royal Ascot, JSC works with brands to enhance their reputations through sponsorship.

 

A foundation built in the traditional media landscape of print, television and radio, JSC’s expertise now flows throughout the digital media sphere where it holds an exceptional record of reaching audiences through online traction

Values

Creativity, results, expertise, passion, high standards and joie de vivre

 

 

Meet the team

Johnno Spence

Johnno set up JSC in January 2004 and remains its Managing Director. JSC has quickly established a reputation as one of the most creative and reputable agencies in the sports and consumer PR industry with a wide variety of clients.

Johnno started his career at Craigie Taylor International (now Brand Rapport) as a PR Executive where his first clients included Vodafone and The Famous Grouse.

After two years, Johnno was promoted to an Account Director and started to focus on horse racing accounts, working specifically on the PR for Jockey Club Racecourses such as Sandown Park and Epsom Downs, venue for The Epsom Derby.

Johnno specialises in working with major brands to develop their reputation amongst high-end clients. To this end, JSC is retained by major international names such as Investec and Sodexo.

Anthony Minoprio

Anthony has been JSC’s resident sport & sponsorship activation expert for 7 years and heads up Investec’s sports sponsorship accounts. Previously working for IMG’s consumer division where he managed accounts for Rolex and the men’s professional tennis tour, Anthony hits the sweet spot every time when it comes to delivering flawless tri-media campaigns for his clients.

He knows just about every sports journalist out there and is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to social media.

Alice Cooper

Alice joined JSC as an Account Executive in March 2015. Prior to making the move over the sea from Ireland, Alice spent time at the Dublin office of Global PR Agency FleishmanHillard. 

Alice obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at University College Dublin and with an acute interest and family background in horse racing, Alice also worked for BBA Ireland during sales seasons.

Alice works on accounts such as Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, Amlin Plus insurance and Newmarket Open Weekend.

 

 

Hugo Barran

Following six months' experience at Collosus Bet, Hugo joined JSC in July 2015 as an Account Executive

Hugo has a keen interest in cricket, horseracing, golf and rugby. He works on accounts such as London Racecourses, Investec, Unibet and 32Red.

George Smyly

George graduated from University of Exeter with a degree in French and Spanish. Following four months working at Arqana in Deauville, George joined the JSC team in June 2015.

George works on a number of key accounts such as the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Racing Breaks, the Magnolia Cup, the Lambourn Open Day, 32Red and Matchbook. George also handles individual client representation covering trainers and jockeys that include Bryony Frost, Richard Hannon, Rebel Racing, Martyn Meade, Nico de Boinville, Jim Crowley, Tom Marquand and Josephine Gordon. A long-suffering Aston Villa fan, George has a passion for all sports.

Emma Chamings

Emma graduated from the Royal Agricultural University in 2016 with a first-class degree in International Business Management. As well as succeeding to a high level in the eventing world, Emma has always held a keen interest in the racing world and has ridden as an amateur jockey at both Newbury and Lingfield racecourses. Emma is an important member of the JSC team whose role includes work on the Investec Derby as well as Goodwood Racecourse and the 32Red King George.

She also is a keen singer and is available to hire for weddings and private functions.

Sam Lawrie

An NCTJ qualified journalist, Sam started his career in the racing media in 2006, working on Channel 4 Racing and Racing UK.  

He joined the team in November 2018 following a 10 year stint at the Racing Post, where he was responsible for filming and editing on location feature videos, directing studio shows and running social media channels. He will work across all JSC accounts helping to deliver online content to the media and clients. 

 

Tessa Champion

Tessa (right) joined the JSC team in August 2017 having spent time out in France and Dubai. She comes from an equine background having ridden as a point-to-point jockey and has always been in and around horse racing. Tessa is a graduate of Cardiff University and a huge sports fan who spends her spare time either riding out for trainers, playing netball or cycling.

Tess is working on accounts including Qatar Racing, The ARC Moorcroft Masterminds Quiz, Chips4Charity Poker, The Property Race Day, “The Broad Appeal Ball… Strictly Cricket” and Client Representation for trainer Ed de Giles.