Phil O'Brien
From beginnings as a press photographer in my home town of Liverpool, I enjoyed a photography career which saw me capturing images of The Queen, Princess Diana, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Freddie Mercury, Ayrton Senna, Brian Clough and more.
But it wasn’t enough – I wanted to build something of my own. So, at the age of 22, I started my own business – EMPICS.
EMPICS went on to develop an award-winning technology product and become the world’s largest independently owned sports photography agency, before it was acquired by to the Press Association in 2004.
Since then, I’ve been enjoying “funemployment” with roles as diverse as a Strategic Advisor to the Duchess of Rutland to the founder and chair of a charitable trust for children.
I like anything which has the Wow! factor.
Updates
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RT @leshinton: Once upon a time, on trains, you surveyed which newspaper people read. Now you check out whether they're using Apple, Androi…33 hours ago from web | Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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RT @ClimbingFish: "I would rather regret the things I have done, than the things I have NOT!" Inspiring space @csiSL - and fab party! http:…
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@colinrosenthal I think any kind of sport has potential to bring out best and worst in us :-)
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"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it." W. C. Fields
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@davemyring Lifetime training of shouting at the TV hasn't helped. Some folk not worked out that it's not nice to do it personally!
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@groutie60 Sure it's the world over. Passionate mix - our kids and sport. Useful reminder - anything to make us think twice ...
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@freedmanhp4 Think you are right. It's mostly about questioning decisions - and this often reflects copying what the professionals do.
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@libbyreeve Interesting idea - would the rising mist still blur?
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@redskinsfanuk Yes, we shouldn't forget it is the minority. And we all can have our moments - sports & our kids are both passionate...
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@richshave Yes, we need a designer to make it as popular/good looking as "Keep Calm...." cc @aggerscricket
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@colinrosenthal Now tennis. My favourite game. Remember taking my son to tournaments. I was shocked! Made McEnroe looked like an angel!
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@davemyring I was surprised it was same in US. Big fuss about bullying by a coach at Rutgers Uni which has focussed attention here.
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@mikec12 Ah - chewing gum is also a big feature in US. But no-one quite chews it as aggressively as Fergie.
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@markcroxon Mini-rugby is good at this - although I've seen some moments on the touchline. Who's their Yankees equivalent?
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@charlesthetooth I remember U9s football being challenging. Reason I got my son into cricket. It's much better - but culture creeps...
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@misanthropegirl Think we all just realise that sport is fun - and happily, most of us do. Sometimes just need a gentle reminder :-)
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@wuffx Sad, but true. Football especially. We've shouted at the TV so long - we think it's acceptable to do it face to face :-(
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"What separates winners from losers is the courage to persist long enough to win." ~ David Cottrell
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@NeilDenny Steve (not Mike) @eRideShare had put it as his favourite quote in a Meetup profile. Great advice for the open minded.. :-)
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That should be Steve @erideshare! Doh...
Profile
Summary
From beginnings as a press photographer in my home town of Liverpool, I enjoyed a photography career which saw me capturing images of The Queen, Princess Diana, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Freddie Mercury, Ayrton Senna, Brian Clough and more.
But it wasn’t enough – I wanted to build something of my own. So, at the age of 22, I started my own business – EMPICS.
EMPICS went on to develop an award-winning technology product and become the world’s largest independently owned sports photography agency, before it was acquired by to the Press Association in 2004.
Since then, I’ve been enjoying “funemployment” with roles as diverse as a Strategic Advisor to the Duchess of Rutland to the founder and chair of a charitable trust for children. I like anything which has the Wow! factor.
Currently working with John Lynch on startup Climbing Fish.
But it wasn’t enough – I wanted to build something of my own. So, at the age of 22, I started my own business – EMPICS.
EMPICS went on to develop an award-winning technology product and become the world’s largest independently owned sports photography agency, before it was acquired by to the Press Association in 2004.
Since then, I’ve been enjoying “funemployment” with roles as diverse as a Strategic Advisor to the Duchess of Rutland to the founder and chair of a charitable trust for children. I like anything which has the Wow! factor.
Currently working with John Lynch on startup Climbing Fish.
Specialties: Strategy, media, new technology, photography, start ups, charities, personal networks, Future Work, Personal Networks, Visual Communication
Experience
- Feb 2012 - PresentVolunteer / Cricket Without BoundariesVery happy to be involved with the great team at Cricket Without Boundaries. Delighted to have taken part in their Spring 2012 project in Uganda - http://bit.ly/As69nF Planning to get involved more.
- Jan 2012 - PresentCo-Founder / Climbing Fish"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid" - Albert Einstein
- Jan 2009 - PresentChairman / Belvoir Castle Cricket TrustWork on a voluntary basis for this children's Charity which I helped found in 2009. More details at http://www.belvoircastlecrickettrust.co.uk and http://www.philobrien.com/projects/creating-a-charity-belvoir-castle-cricket-trust/
- Nov 2007 - PresentStrategic Advisor / Duke & Duchess of Rutland - Belvoir CastleAssist with long term planning for Belvoir Estate.
- Apr 2004 - PresentBusiness Development Director / Press AssociationResearched and developed opportunities for the Press Association's business in the UK and internationally. Undertaken alongside Chief Executive role with EMPICS (my business which PA acquired in 2004)
- Jun 1985 - PresentFounder & CEO / EMPICS Sports Photo AgencyFounded East Midlands Picture Services in summer 1985. Progressed to being leading sports photographic agency, EMPICS. Major Clients such as UEFA, Chelsea FC, Manchester United, all UK National Newspapers, etc. EMPICS was sold to the Press Association in 2004. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMPICS
- Nov 1983 - PresentPhotographer / Leicester MercuryWorked as staff photographer for the paper.
- Nov 1982 - PresentPhotographer / Nottingham News ServiceRan Nottingham Office of busy news photo agency in East Midlands
- Jul 1981 - PresentTrainee Photographer / Mercury Press Agency LtdStarted photographic career with Toxteth Riots in summer 1981.
Education
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1980 - 1981Richmond College of FEPhoto Journalism
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1973 - 1980St Francis Xaviers College, Liverpool
Additional Information
Websites:
Honors:
CBI Real Business Award 2003.
Technology in Business supported by Vodafone.
Presentations by Gordon Brown & William Hague.
Interests:
Connecting people to help them make positive changes for themselves and the world around them.
