Dawn Group International has appointed award-winning journalist Robert Beasley to a wide-ranging transatlantic role as the company’s media consultant.
DGI chairman Abdullah Ashraf was advised by Beasley throughout the recent acquisition of English football club Tamworth F.C. and was so impressed he has now handed the media expert a permanent position.
The UK national, who enjoyed a stellar career at the top of British journalism, is now a successful PR specialist promoting and projecting firms and business leaders.
Robert’s knowledge of the media is awesome and I am delighted to have secured his experience and expertise for DGI. It’s a far-reaching role. He will oversee the media team at Tamworth as well as promote our sporting interests here in the USA, especially Oklahoma United. Robert will also focus on DGI’s growing real estate portfolio and advise me personally as we continue to extend our interests and expand the business.
Beasley, who is also a best-selling author, is delighted to continue working alongside Ashraf.
Abdullah’s energy, drive and determination to complete the takeover of Tamworth was incredible, and his vision and ambitions for the football club are remarkable. Watching him work on the deal showed me exactly why he has become so successful, so young. He has a real passion for what he’s doing and combines business acumen with an exceptional ability to connect with people and get them on board. I’m a classic example. We hit it off immediately, worked together superbly and the blend is perfect. He’s the young guy with a plan who is going to the very top while I’m, hopefully, the wise old consigliere who’s been there and seen it all before!
A career at the top of British sport
Beasley’s background is centred on elite sport, particularly football — experience Ashraf believes will be vital as he aims to build successful clubs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Over his career he captured exclusive interviews with sporting superstars including Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, José Mourinho, Frank Lampard and Cesc Fàbregas.
Aged just 21, he was providing live broadcasts on top-flight football matches for national TV outlets the BBC and its commercial rival ITV.
Later he spent 22 years working for Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper empire in the UK, where he held key roles as Chief Football Writer of the News of the World and Chief Sports Correspondent of The Sun.
Throughout this time, Beasley was also a regular on Murdoch’s sports and news channels at Sky TV, as well as other TV channels in the UK.
In 2005 he won the coveted Sports Journalists’ Award for the year’s best sports story and also received the prestigious Chris Blythe Award for Scoop of the Year.
His book, José Mourinho Up Close and Personal, about the Real Madrid coach, has been a great success and has been published all over the world, including the USA.
