Michael Payne (executive)

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|03|25|df=y}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|03|25|df=y}}

| birth_place = London, United Kingdom

| birth_place = London, United Kingdom

| occupation = Marketing Executive

| occupation = Sports Business Leader

| known_for = Director of Marketing at the IOC

| known_for = Director of Marketing at the IOC. Author Sports Business Books.

| website = [https://michaelrpayne.com/ michaelrpayne.com]

| website = [https://michaelrpayne.com/ michaelrpayne.com]

}}

}}

'''Michael Robert Payne''' (born 25 March 1958) is an English and Irish marketing executive and author, for many years head of the marketing division of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) and from 2004 through 2016 with [[Formula One Group]].{{cite web |title=F1 hires marketing whiz Michael Payne |date=18 June 2012 |url=http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/f1-hires-marketing-whiz-michael-payne-away-international-olympic-committee |publisher=Autoweek 18 June 2012 |accessdate=13 July 2015}} He is the author of the 2005 book ''Olympic Turnaround'', the 2021 book ''Toon In!'', and his autobiography, ''Fast Tracks and Dark Deals'', published in 2025. He contributes widely to the media on sports business issues.{{cite web |title=Payne, Michael Robert; Who's Who 2014 |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U253938 |publisher=A&C Black (Subscription or library membership required) |accessdate=13 July 2015}}

'''Michael Robert Payne''' (born 25 March 1958) is an English and Irish marketing executive and author. Nominated by ''[[Advertising Age]]'', as one of the world's 50 most influential marketeers for many years head of the marketing division of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) and from 2004 through 2016 with [[Formula One Group]].{{cite web |title=F1 hires marketing whiz Michael Payne |date=18 June 2012 |url=http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/f1-hires-marketing-whiz-michael-payne-away-international-olympic-committee |publisher=Autoweek 18 June 2012 |accessdate=13 July 2015}} He is the author of the 2005 book ''Olympic Turnaround'', the 2021 book ''Toon In!'', and his autobiography, ''Fast Tracks and Dark Deals'', published in 2025. He contributes widely to the media on sports business issues.{{cite web |title=Payne, Michael Robert; Who's Who 2014 |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U253938 |publisher=A&C Black (Subscription or library membership required) |accessdate=13 July 2015}} From 2025 on, Chairman of [https://en.volleyballworld.com/ VolleyballWorld].

== Biography ==

== Biography ==

Payne was educated at [[Highgate School]]. A British [[skiing|free-style skiing champion]] in 1970s, he began marketing his fellow athletes, helping them find sponsors to permit them to compete.{{cite web |url=http://www.china.org.cn/olympics/news/2008-08/06/content_16143673.htm |title=IOC Marketing Supremo: Smile, Beijing |date=6 August 2008 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |publisher=china.org.cn}} Payne was drafted into the IOC in the 1989, having previously worked at ISL Marketing, a Swiss based marketing company that in 1982 had been appointed by the IOC to develop a global marketing program.{{cite news |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/Archive/SBJ-In-Depth/2005/07/How-The-IOC-Took-On-Nike-In-Atlanta.aspx |title=How the IOC took on Nike in Atlanta |date=11 July 2005 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |work=Sports Business Journal Daily}} During his 17 years with the IOC, he contributed to the development of a multi-billion marketing program for the organisation, worldwide.{{cite web |title=Payne – London 2012 to tap fountain of youth |url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/print-edition/payne-london-2012-tap-fountain-youth |date=22 October 2008 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |publisher=Sportbusiness.com |first=Struan |last=Campbell}} According to media outlets, Payne is "credited with turning the Games into a financial success" through the television and marketing deals he negotiated for the Olympics during his tenure.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/051131331331fg3asd1f1asdf1ad23f1asd23f1asd23f1sd23f1asdg/dfg/02/14/manual_103457.html |title=London Bid 'Has Improved' |work=[[Sporting Life (British newspaper)|Sporting Life]] |accessdate=23 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515133431/http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others%2F05%2F02%2F14%2Fmanual_103457.html |archivedate=15 May 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0214/olympics.html |publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] |date=14 February 2005 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |title=Boost for London's Olympic Bid |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050921184651/http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0214/olympics.html |archivedate=21 September 2005}}

Payne was educated at [[Highgate School]]. A British [[skiing|free-style skiing champion]] in 1970s, he began marketing his fellow athletes, helping them find sponsors to permit them to compete.{{cite web |url=http://www.china.org.cn/olympics/news/2008-08/06/content_16143673.htm |title=IOC Marketing Supremo: Smile, Beijing |date=6 August 2008 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |publisher=china.org.cn}} Payne was drafted into the IOC in the 1989, having previously worked at ISL Marketing, a Swiss based marketing company that in 1982 had been appointed by the IOC to develop a global marketing program.{{cite news |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/Archive/SBJ-In-Depth/2005/07/How-The-IOC-Took-On-Nike-In-Atlanta.aspx |title=How the IOC took on Nike in Atlanta |date=11 July 2005 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |work=Sports Business Journal Daily}} During his 17 years with the IOC, he contributed to the development of a multi-billion marketing program for the organisation, worldwide.{{cite web |title=Payne – London 2012 to tap fountain of youth |url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/print-edition/payne-london-2012-tap-fountain-youth |date=22 October 2008 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |publisher=Sportbusiness.com |first=Struan |last=Campbell}} According to media outlets, Payne is "credited with turning the Games into a financial success" through the television and marketing deals he negotiated for the Olympics during his tenure.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/051131331331fg3asd1f1asdf1ad23f1asd23f1asd23f1sd23f1asdg/dfg/02/14/manual_103457.html |title=London Bid 'Has Improved' |work=[[Sporting Life (British newspaper)|Sporting Life]] |accessdate=23 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515133431/http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others%2F05%2F02%2F14%2Fmanual_103457.html |archivedate=15 May 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0214/olympics.html |publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] |date=14 February 2005 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |title=Boost for London's Olympic Bid |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050921184651/http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0214/olympics.html |archivedate=21 September 2005}}

After the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], he took a position with [[Bernie Ecclestone]], who holds the commercial rights for the [[Formula One]] brand.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2360784/Olympic-reservations-of-an-Englishman-abroad.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140130080541/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2360784/Olympic-reservations-of-an-Englishman-abroad.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2014 |title=Olympic Reservations of an Englishman Abroad |last=Bose |first=Mihir |date=8 June 2005 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}} He remained an advisor for the IOC.

After the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], he took a position with [[Bernie Ecclestone]], who held until 2017 the commercial rights for the [[Formula One]] brand.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2360784/Olympic-reservations-of-an-Englishman-abroad.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140130080541/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/2360784/Olympic-reservations-of-an-Englishman-abroad.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2014 |title=Olympic Reservations of an Englishman Abroad |last=Bose |first=Mihir |date=8 June 2005 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}} He remained an advisor for the IOC.

In 2004 Payne also founded his global strategic advisory group, Payne Sports Media Strategies, advising governments, corporations, broadcaster and sports organisations, including [[Formula One]], [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]], [[WPP plc|WPP]], [[CVC Capital Partners|CVC]] amongst others.

In 2004 Payne also founded his global strategic advisory group, Payne Sports Media Strategies, advising governments, corporations, broadcaster and sports organisations, including [[Formula One]], [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]], [[WPP plc|WPP]], [[CVC Capital Partners|CVC]] amongst others.

Payne also acted as senior advisor for the winning Olympic bids of [[London 2012]], [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio de Janeiro 2016]] and [[2028 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles 2028]].

Payne also acted as senior advisor for the winning Olympic bids of [[London 2012]], [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio de Janeiro 2016]] and [[2028 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles 2028]].

In 2005 Payne released his first book, ''Olympic Turnaround'' that details how the Olympics stepped back from the brink of extinction to become the world’s best known brand and a multi billion global franchise. The book has been published in more than 15 different languages.

In 2005 Payne released his first book, ''Olympic Turnaround'' that details how the Olympics stepped back from the brink of extinction to become the world's best known brand and a multi billion global franchise. The book has been published in more than 15 different languages.

In 2021 Payne released his second book, ''Toon In!'', that in 2022 won the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year Award, detailing the Olympic history through cartoons and how the Games have defied threats.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2022/01/31/In-Depth/Payne.aspx |title=Michael Payne's creative vision for Olympic sponsorship has generated billions of dollars for the IOC}}{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/aroundtherings/articles/2022/05/27/toon-in-wins-illustrated-sports-book-of-the-year-award/ |title="Toon In!" wins Illustrated Sports Book of the Year award}} All profits were donated to charity – Back Up, Sport for Peace, Yunus Sports Hub and Cartooning for Peace.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

In 2021 Payne released his second book, ''Toon In!'', that in 2022 won the ''[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]'' Sports Book of the Year Award, detailing the Olympic history through cartoons and how the Games have defied threats.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2022/01/31/In-Depth/Payne.aspx |title=Michael Payne's creative vision for Olympic sponsorship has generated billions of dollars for the IOC}}{{cite web |url=https://www.infobae.com/aroundtherings/articles/2022/05/27/toon-in-wins-illustrated-sports-book-of-the-year-award/ |title="Toon In!" wins Illustrated Sports Book of the Year award}} All profits were donated to charity – Back Up, Sport for Peace, Yunus Sports Hub and Cartooning for Peace.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

In 2025 released his third book an to worldwide critical acclaim, and referred to as the bible of sports marketing.{{cite book |last1=Payne |first1=Michael R. |title=Fast Tracks and Dark Deals |date=17 November 2025 |publisher=Chiselbury |location=London, UK |isbn=9781916556751 |pages=652 |url=https://www.chiselbury.co.uk/bookstore/p/fast-tracks-and-dark-deals}}

Payne has also written for newspapers including the ''[[Financial Times]]'', [[Yomiuri Shimbun|Yomuiri Shimbun]] (Japan) and [[Forbes]]. He has interviewed for over 100 media outlets including television news programmes in the US ([[NBC]], [[CNN]]) UK ([[BBC]], ''[[Newsnight]]'', ''[[Panorama (British TV programme)|Panorama]])'' Canada ([[CBC News|CBC]]) Australia ([[Seven Network|Channel 7]]) Japan ([[NHK]], [[TV Tokyo]]) China ([[China Central Television|CCTV]])  and [[Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg]], ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal|Wall St Journal]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', ''[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]'', ''[[L'Équipe|L'Equipe]]'', [[Associated Press|AP]], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]], [[Reuters]] amongst others where he is frequently called upon to comment on the business of sport and politics and sport. He is also a regular speaker at international conferences.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

Payne has also written for newspapers including the ''[[Financial Times]]'', [[Yomiuri Shimbun|Yomuiri Shimbun]] (Japan) and [[Forbes]]. He has interviewed for over 100 media outlets including television news programmes in the US ([[NBC]], [[CNN]]) UK ([[BBC]], ''[[Newsnight]]'', ''[[Panorama (British TV programme)|Panorama]])'' Canada ([[CBC News|CBC]]) Australia ([[Seven Network|Channel 7]]) Japan ([[NHK]], [[TV Tokyo]]) China ([[China Central Television|CCTV]]) and [[Bloomberg Television|Bloomberg]], ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal|Wall St Journal]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', ''[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]'', ''[[L'Équipe|L'Equipe]]'', [[Associated Press|AP]], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]], [[Reuters]] amongst others where he is frequently called upon to comment on the business of sport and politics and sport. He is also a regular speaker at international conferences.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

He has served on a number of boards including advisory board to [[Imperial College London]]; Chairman of Crystal Digital International.

He has served on a number of boards including advisory board to [[Imperial College London]]; Chairman of Crystal Digital International. In May 2025, Michael Payne was appointed Chairman of [[Volleyball World]] – the global business arm of the sport of Volleyball – a joint venture between [[FIVB]] and venture capital [[CVC Capital Partners|CVC]].

Michael Payne's autobiography, ''Fast Tracks and Dark Deals: How Sport Became Business and Business Became Sport'', was published by Chiselbury in November 2025.{{cite book |last1=Payne |first1=Michael R. |title=Fast Tracks and Dark Deals |date=17 November 2025 |publisher=Chiselbury |location=London, UK |isbn=9781916556751 |pages=652 |url=https://www.chiselbury.co.uk/bookstore/p/fast-tracks-and-dark-deals}}

In December 2022, the IOC awarded Michael Payne, the [[Pierre de Coubertin Medal]] for services to the Olympic Movement. Only awarded usually to one recipient per year, previous honorees include Dr, [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Emil Zátopek|Emil Zatopek]], [[Juan Antonio Samaranch]] and [[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco|Prince Rainier of Monaco]].

The British Swiss Chamber of Commerce in April 2026, nominated Michael Payne as one of 25 legends, who have contributed to British Swiss business and politrical relations. Other nominees, included [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Lord Norman Foster]], [[César Ritz|Cesar Ritz]], [[Henry Lunn|Sir Henry Lunn]], [[Claude Nobs|Claude Nobbs]] and [[Edward Whymper]].

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:1958 births]]

[[Category:1958 births]]