About - Nick Bell
Building products that connect people to what they love
Nick Bell is the CEO of Fanatics Collect, a division of Fanatics, Inc. where he leads the company's live commerce platform and collectibles marketplace. A technology and media executive with over two decades of experience, Nick has held senior leadership roles at Google, Snap Inc. (Snapchat), and News Corporation - building and scaling some of the most widely used consumer platforms in the world.
Nick's entrepreneurial instincts showed early. At 16, he founded and sold his first company, Teenfront.com, one of the largest teenage websites in the UK. That same drive has carried through every chapter of his career - from pioneering vertical video and launching Snapchat Discover to leading Google's core Search Experience team to now reimagining how millions of collectors buy, sell, and connect around the sports they love.
Originally from Alnwick, Northumberland, England, Nick now lives in Los Angeles with his family. Outside of Fanatics, he is an active angel investor and advisor to consumer-focused startups and serves on the board of directors of National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI).
Career
2023 - Present
Chief Executive Officer
Fanatics Collect & Fanatics Live
Leading the collectibles marketplace and live commerce division of Fanatics, Inc. Launched Fanatics Collect in July 2024, a platform connecting buyers and sellers of trading cards and memorabilia through fixed-price listings, auctions, and live breaking. Overseeing the transformation of the digital collecting experience for millions of sports fans.
2020 - 2022
Search Experience
Led the product teams responsible for the core Google Search Experience, shaping how billions of people access information every day. Also led Product and Engineering for Google Images, one of the world's most used visual search platforms.
2019 - 2020
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Attention Capital
Co-founded a media and technology holding company focused on buying, building, and scaling media brands and the technologies that power them. Also served as co-managing director at Human Ventures, a startup incubator focused on the attention economy.
2014 - 2019
VP, Global Head of Content & Partnerships
Snap Inc. (Snapchat)
Architect of Snapchat Discover. Pioneered vertical video as the industry standard. Built partnerships with the world's leading media companies including NBC, CNN, National Geographic, and the Daily Mail. Launched Live Stories, Snap Originals, and a robust advertising business. Described by Evan Spiegel as one of his closest lieutenants.
2010 - 2014
Senior Vice President, Digital Products
News Corporation
Drove digital transformation initiatives across the media conglomerate's portfolio of brands. Led digital product strategy for one of the world's largest media companies.
1999 - 2010
Founder
Teenfront.com & Other Ventures
Founded Teenfront.com at age 16, building it into one of the largest teenage websites in the UK and selling it successfully. This early entrepreneurial foundation shaped his approach to building and scaling digital platforms.
Recognition
2016 100 Most Creative People in Business - Fast Company (Ranked #21)
2016 Digital Entertainment Execs to Watch - Variety
2016 Next Wave: Top Professionals 35 & Under - LinkedIn
2018 40 Under 40 - Media Play News
Press & Media
Fanatics Live CEO: We're trying to transform the digital shopping experience - CNBC - Squawk on the Street (2023)
Instant Rips Explained in Nick Bell Interview - Sports Illustrated (2025)
Most Creative People in Business: Nick Bell - Fast Company (2016)
Nick Bell Exits as Snapchat VP of Content - Variety (2018)
Snap's vice president of content Nick Bell is leaving the company - CNBC (2018)
Nick Bell Out as Snapchat Head of Content - The Hollywood Reporter (2018)
Snapchat's head of content Nick Bell is out - Fast Company (2018)
Former Snap Content Head Nick Bell Joins Human Ventures - Variety (2019)
National CineMedia Board Appointment - Deadline Hollywood (2023)
Why Snapchat Is Not a TV Killer: Content Chief Nick Bell on Scripts and Mobile - The Drum (2017)
Speaking & Podcasts
Empowering Sports Fans with Fanatics - Fast Company Innovation Festival (2023)
Nick Bell - CEO of Fanatics Live - The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman (2024)
Nick Bell Talks Instant Rips, Transparency, and Fanatics Live Expansion - Sports Cards Nonsense (The Ringer) (2025)
Snap Content Chief on Venturing Into Scripted Series - Variety Strictly Business Podcast (2018)
Snap VP Nick Bell on Finding the Next Generation of Media Stars - Recode Media with Peter Kafka (2018)
Edinburgh International Television Festival - Keynote - Edinburgh TV Festival (2017)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nick Bell?
Nick Bell is a technology and media executive and the CEO of Fanatics Collect.
What does Nick Bell do at Fanatics?
He leads Fanatics Collect and Fanatics Live, the live commerce platform and collectibles marketplace within Fanatics, Inc.
How can I contact Nick Bell for speaking engagements?
Use the contact form to reach out for press, speaking opportunities, or advisory conversations.
What is Fanatics Collect?
Fanatics Collect is a division of Fanatics, Inc. that operates a collectibles marketplace and live commerce platform. It connects buyers and sellers of trading cards and sports memorabilia through fixed-price listings, auctions, and live breaking experiences. The platform launched in July 2024 under Nick Bell's leadership, combining the community energy of live card breaking with the trust and scale of the Fanatics ecosystem.
Connect
Find Nick online
For press inquiries, speaking opportunities, or advisory conversations.