History: remove puffery← Previous revisionRevision as of 18:15, 1 November 2026 Line 87: Line 87: Andres Focil was born in [[Guayaquil]], Ecuador and moved to the US with his family when he was 15 so his in pursuit of advanced medical care for his brother. He attended [[University of Miami]] to pursue biology and pre-med but ended up switching to a focus on business and technology.{{Cite web |last= |last2= |title=SBJ Unpacks: Bills' Hamlin still critical as NFL figures out next steps |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2023/01/03.aspx |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sourtech |title=Ama los deportes, tanto que ahora es proveedor de la NBA, La Liga de España y más competiciones |url=https://www.forbes.com.ec/negocios/ama-deportes-tanto-ahora-proveedor-nba-liga-espana-mas-competiciones-n44308 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Forbes Ecuador |language=es}} Andres Focil was born in [[Guayaquil]], Ecuador and moved to the US with his family when he was 15 so his in pursuit of advanced medical care for his brother. He attended [[University of Miami]] to pursue biology and pre-med but ended up switching to a focus on business and technology.{{Cite web |last= |last2= |title=SBJ Unpacks: Bills' Hamlin still critical as NFL figures out next steps |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2023/01/03.aspx |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sourtech |title=Ama los deportes, tanto que ahora es proveedor de la NBA, La Liga de España y más competiciones |url=https://www.forbes.com.ec/negocios/ama-deportes-tanto-ahora-proveedor-nba-liga-espana-mas-competiciones-n44308 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Forbes Ecuador |language=es}} He was a founding member of Ascenta which was acquired by [[Facebook]] in 2014. He began WMT Digital in 2012 while consulting for Ascenta.{{Cite web |last= |last2= |title=SBJ Unpacks: Bills' Hamlin still critical as NFL figures out next steps |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2023/01/03.aspx |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame's streaming service is driving viewership; subscription model coming next |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2021/07/22/notre-dame-s-streaming-service-driving-viewership.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} His first major client was the University of Miami which hired him to help improve their search engine rankings.{{Cite web |last=Samba |last2=Devin |first2=Eric |date=2023-01-04 |title=Changing the Game: The Growing Importance of Apps in College Sports |url=https://sambadigital.com/changing-the-game-the-growing-importance-of-apps-in-college-sports/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Samba Digital |language=en-GB}} His success for University of Miami led to WMT Digital acquiring many new clients including the entire SEC Conference, LaLiga, [[Snapdragon Stadium|SnapDragon Stadium]] and USA Basketball.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-28 |title=WMT Digital Creates Customized Digital Platforms for Their College Clients as Fan Demand for Exclusive Content Increases |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/12/28/Technology/college-football-athletics-wmt-digital-website-platform-fans.aspx |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=Inside USA Basketball's website rebrand from WMT to improve UX, streamline internal operations |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/12/01/wmt-usa-basketball |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Burns |first=Michael |date=2021-06-24 |title=Watch parties: How shared viewing is boosting fan engagement |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226120315/https://www.ibc.org/trends/watch-parties-how-shared-viewing-is-boosting-fan-engagement/7681.article |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=IBC }} He was a founding member of Ascenta which was acquired by [[Facebook]] in 2014. He began WMT Digital in 2012 while consulting for Ascenta.{{Cite web |last= |last2= |title=SBJ Unpacks: Bills' Hamlin still critical as NFL figures out next steps |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2023/01/03.aspx |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame's streaming service is driving viewership; subscription model coming next |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2021/07/22/notre-dame-s-streaming-service-driving-viewership.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} His first major client was the University of Miami which hired him to help improve their search engine rankings.{{Cite web |last=Samba |last2=Devin |first2=Eric |date=2023-01-04 |title=Changing the Game: The Growing Importance of Apps in College Sports |url=https://sambadigital.com/changing-the-game-the-growing-importance-of-apps-in-college-sports/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Samba Digital |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2026-11-01 |title=WMT Digital meets demand of bowl season |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/SBJ-Unpacks/2023/01/03/wmt-techie/ |access-date=2026-11-01 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}} His success for University of Miami led to WMT Digital acquiring many new clients including the entire SEC Conference, LaLiga, [[Snapdragon Stadium|SnapDragon Stadium]] and USA Basketball.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-28 |title=WMT Digital Creates Customized Digital Platforms for Their College Clients as Fan Demand for Exclusive Content Increases |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/12/28/Technology/college-football-athletics-wmt-digital-website-platform-fans.aspx |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=Inside USA Basketball's website rebrand from WMT to improve UX, streamline internal operations |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/12/01/wmt-usa-basketball |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Burns |first=Michael |date=2021-06-24 |title=Watch parties: How shared viewing is boosting fan engagement |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226120315/https://www.ibc.org/trends/watch-parties-how-shared-viewing-is-boosting-fan-engagement/7681.article |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=IBC }} In 2017 he became a co-founder of AthleticDirectorU, an editorial platform devoted to helping college athletics administrators achieve success in their programs.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-17 |title=About |url=https://athleticdirectoru.com/about/ |access-date=2026-11-01 |website=Athletic Director U |language=en-US}} In 2021, he co-founded both the college athletic employment site, College Sports Connect, and retail engagement platform, Stakeholder Labs.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-17 |title=About |url=https://athleticdirectoru.com/about/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Athletic Director U |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Stakeholder Labs Inc. Form D Filed 2022-06-10 |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1998/193006622000001/filing-main.htm |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=edgar.secdatabase.com}} In 2017 he became a co-founder of AthleticDirectorU, an editorial platform devoted to helping college athletics administrators achieve success in their programs.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-17 |title=About |url=https://athleticdirectoru.com/about/ |access-date=2026-11-01 |website=Athletic Director U |language=en-US}} In 2021, he co-founded both the college athletic employment site, College Sports Connect, and retail engagement platform, Stakeholder Labs.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-17 |title=About |url=https://athleticdirectoru.com/about/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Athletic Director U |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Stakeholder Labs Inc. Form D Filed 2022-06-10 |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/1998/193006622000001/filing-main.htm |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=edgar.secdatabase.com}} In 2024, he led WMT Digital's acquisition of event technology providers, Aloompa and Event Dynamics.{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dave |date=2024-06-03 |title=WMT Digital Acquires Aloompa, Combining Two Leaders in Live Event Tech Solutions |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/wmt-digital-buys-aloompa-mobile-app-provider-live-events/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Miami |first=Premier Guide |title=WMT Digital Acquires Aloompa, the Leading Mobile App Provider for Live Events |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917124536/https://premierguidemiami.com/wmt-digital-acquires-aloompa-the-leading-mobile-app-provider-for-live-events/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-17 |title=Tillion addition the latest data boost from WMT |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/07/17/wmt-acquires-event-dynamic-rebrands-tillion |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}} These acquisitions to led to Andres being the only person born in [[South America]], selected to the [[Sports Business Journal]]'s ''40 Under 40'' list in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Ethan |date=2025-12-27 |title=Forty Under 40: Andres Focil, WMT Digital |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/06/16/forty-under-40-andres-focil-wmt-digital/ |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}} In 2024, he led WMT Digital's acquisition of event technology providers, Aloompa and Event Dynamics.{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dave |date=2024-06-03 |title=WMT Digital Acquires Aloompa, Combining Two Leaders in Live Event Tech Solutions |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/wmt-digital-buys-aloompa-mobile-app-provider-live-events/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Miami |first=Premier Guide |title=WMT Digital Acquires Aloompa, the Leading Mobile App Provider for Live Events |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917124536/https://premierguidemiami.com/wmt-digital-acquires-aloompa-the-leading-mobile-app-provider-for-live-events/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-17 |title=Tillion addition the latest data boost from WMT |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/07/17/wmt-acquires-event-dynamic-rebrands-tillion |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}} These acquisitions to led to Andres being selected to the [[Sports Business Journal]]'s ''40 Under 40'' list in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Ethan |date=2025-12-27 |title=Forty Under 40: Andres Focil, WMT Digital |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/06/16/forty-under-40-andres-focil-wmt-digital/ |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}} In 2025, Focil became a minority investor in the Los Angeles Golf Club, a franchise of [[TGL (golf league)|TGL]] and part of an ownership group that includes Alexis Ohanian, Serena and Venus Williams, [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]] and Michelle Wie.{{cite news |title=Ecuatoriano será protagonista en la final de la TGL, la liga que revoluciona el golf mundial |url=https://www.metroecuador.com.ec/deportes/2026/03/20/ecuatoriano-sera-protagonista-en-la-final-de-la-tgl-la-liga-que-revoluciona-el-golf-mundial/ |newspaper=Metro Ecuador |date=2026-03-20 |language=es}} In March 2026, Los Angeles Golf Club won the TGL SoFi Cup in the league’s second season.{{cite news |title=Ecuatoriano se consagra campeón de la Tomorrow Golf League con Los Angeles tras vencer al equipo de Tiger Woods |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/deportes/otros-deportes/ecuatoriano-se-consagra-campeon-de-la-tomorrow-golf-league-con-los-angeles-tras-vencer-al-equipo-de-tiger-woods-nota/ |newspaper=El Universo |date=2026-02-15 |language=es}} In 2025, Focil became a minority investor in the Los Angeles Golf Club, a franchise of [[TGL (golf league)|TGL]] and part of an ownership group that includes Alexis Ohanian, Serena and Venus Williams, [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]] and Michelle Wie.{{cite news |title=Ecuatoriano será protagonista en la final de la TGL, la liga que revoluciona el golf mundial |url=https://www.metroecuador.com.ec/deportes/2026/03/20/ecuatoriano-sera-protagonista-en-la-final-de-la-tgl-la-liga-que-revoluciona-el-golf-mundial/ |newspaper=Metro Ecuador |date=2026-03-20 |language=es}} In March 2026, Los Angeles Golf Club won the TGL SoFi Cup in the league’s second season.{{cite news |title=Ecuatoriano se consagra campeón de la Tomorrow Golf League con Los Angeles tras vencer al equipo de Tiger Woods |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/deportes/otros-deportes/ecuatoriano-se-consagra-campeon-de-la-tomorrow-golf-league-con-los-angeles-tras-vencer-al-equipo-de-tiger-woods-nota/ |newspaper=El Universo |date=2026-02-15 |language=es}}