Francesco Calvo - President of Business Operations

[OCD]

That “They are not consumers — they're fans” quote stood out to me as well.

[pauliewalnuts]

That “They are not consumers — they're fans” quote stood out to me as well.

I like the sound of the bloke but that’s blatant sloganeering which won’t actually be put into practice.

[eamonn]

Yep, it's idealism and a good soundbyte but he'll know the truth. They calculate how much they hope to make on every demographic of fan.

[SaddVillan]

His point about not having representation on Premier League committee and working groups marks a stark contrast with the work that Steve Stride used to do. To be influential, you've got to be on the inside.

His bit about Villa not being on any Committees is very insightful and shows a different approach.

Purslow was a football insider involved in formulating the PSR rules and was mooted to head up the Independent Regulator.

Heck was typically American - only concerned with the bottom line, to the exclusion of all else. Said the right things, but only because he'd probably asked somebody what were the right things to say. You can well.imagine that approach rubbed people up the wrong way - at Villa Park in the fan base and the wider football world

Calvo looks/sounds very much like a behind the scenes, thoughtful, low-key, but very smart operator.

We probably won't see benefits immediately, I reckon he'll play the long game, but if we take what he says at face value, then he should be good for Villa - both in terms of finance and football politics- domestic and European.

[Toronto Villa]

Newcastle have exactly the same problem we do. The money comes from a different source and their source has more of it but they are limited the same way we are.

I am actually surprised their Saudi owners don’t seem that bothered about engaging in financial jiggery pokery to fund them more.

What’s funnier is the group that owns them is buying players from rival teams to support their Saudi owned clubs. Thus helping our PSR or the likes of Chelsea to get better. All while not being able to push on the club they actually own in the PL. Don’t see as many Geordies happily donning Keffiyeh’s as before.

[Stu82]

Impressive article, a completely different approach to the fans than Heck.

I hope he can raise profile of Villa and continue our rise as a club overall.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

That “They are not consumers — they're fans” quote stood out to me as well.

can use it on the protest banners/leaflets when they next ramp it up.

[Skerra]

Believe it when I see it. Words are easy!!

[Olneythelonely]

I agree. I’d have preferred to the interview to have been in the form of a street dance.

[pauliewalnuts]

I agree. I’d have preferred to the interview to have been in the form of a street dance.

Mime, possibly.

[Dante Lavelli]

Heck did that interview where he explained in detail how he increased the turnover of the 76ers (?). He was pretty much following that playbook at villa. Gigs, art, fashion etc. probably demonstrated best by the Ozzie gig.

A lot of that stuff was really working. I hope that’s continued and pushed even more centre stage with the Warehouse and city centre shop.

[Somniloquism]

Heck did that interview where he explained in detail how he increased the turnover of the 76ers (?). He was pretty much following that playbook at villa. Gigs, art, fashion etc. probably demonstrated best by the Ozzie gig.

A lot of that stuff was really working. I hope that’s continued and pushed even more centre stage with the Warehouse and city centre shop.

I expect that kind of fell into his lap as it sound like Ozzie wanted this one final fling in his home city and where else could have hosted it? However credit that he then took advantage with the kit launch involvment which exploded past normal exposure due to it.

[Dante Lavelli]

Agree but under heck we’ve gone from zero gigs to maybe five each summer. Next year will give us the chance to showcase smaller bands too.

The revenue might not be massive but the opportunity to grow the brand is huge. Thh he whcs said the shop is all about turnover larger than profit. The warehouse could be similar and become a real icon for up and coming bands.

[algy]

Heck did that interview where he explained in detail how he increased the turnover of the 76ers (?). He was pretty much following that playbook at villa. Gigs, art, fashion etc. probably demonstrated best by the Ozzie gig.

A lot of that stuff was really working. I hope that’s continued and pushed even more centre stage with the Warehouse and city centre shop.

Yeah, we shouldn’t be throwing the baby out with the bathwater - Heck got that side of things spot on IMO. Seemed a very sensible strategy to have Villa Park and the wider club facilities in B6 in use year-round, which would make all sorts of things from transport to regeneration to matchday catering much easier to improve.