Ayre

He is currently chief executive of Total Sports Asia, a brand solutions company which advises international companies on their Asian strategies for rolling out specifically Asian sports and entertainment campaigns.

Prior to that he was managing director of Virgin/NTL subsidiary Premium TV having joined that from Huddersfield Town AFC where he had been chief executive and chairman for three years.

His initial focus will be to help grow sponsorship and merchandising revenues and an early task will the hunt to find a sponsor for the new stadium, due for completion in 2010.

He will also be devoting much of his time developing the LFC brand internationally, particularly in Asia, where the club is in for a tough battle against MUFC which is being spurred on in its Far Eastern marketing push by sponsor AIG which is keen to crack the Asian markets.

Rick Parry said: "I'm delighted Ian has agreed to join us and I look forward to him arriving in Liverpool. There couldn't be a better time to be coming to the club as we're looking at a bright future, both on and off the pitch. Ian has a great track record and also understands the values which make this club so special."
 
Ayre added: “"Being Liverpool born and bred, this is a dream job for me. I feel that everything I've done so far – in sports marketing, media and technology – has been leading to this role. I've been away from Liverpool for many years, and I couldn't be returning at a better time. These are great times for the club, there are tremendous opportunities ahead, and I'm thrilled to be part of it."

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