This Week’s Movers in Sports Media & Marketing

Talent Shifts in Sports Media: Jamie Kennedy Joins GOLFTV

This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, Jamie Kennedy joins GOLFTV as Director of Social Media and Content, a Whistle Sports executive moves to the WWE, and Pau Gasol joins FC Barcelona as US strategic advisor.

For job openings and more on who’s moving where, check out the Hashtag Sports Weekly roundup.

Jamie Kennedy Joins GOLFTV as Director of Social Media and Content
European Tour’s Jamie Kennedy has been named Director of Social Media and Digital Content at GOLFTV. Kennedy previously spent the last 5 years leading the European Tour’s award-winning digital strategy and innovation while managing all the tour’s social media and digital initiatives. In his new role with GOLFTV, Kennedy will lead creating unique digital content for the sports network for audiences around the world.

Whistle Sports Exec Moves to WWE
Nate Loucks recently announced on Twitter that he is leaving the Whistle Sports after over 4 years with the company. Loucks later revealed that he is taking his talents to the WWE where he will assume the role as the company’s Senior Director of International Digital and Social Video. Prior to Whistle Sports, Loucks held roles with Major League Soccer, blip.tv, and Red Bull.

Catalan NBA Star to Become FC Barcelona Ambassador, Amongst Other Roles
Pau Gasol is taking his talents on the court and translating them to quite reputable business ventures. The two-time NBA Champion recently reached an agreement with FC Barcelona to become the team’s ambassador, strategic advisor, and partner in the United States. The two will be working together to enhance the Barça brand within the US as the country is a strategic market of the club.

NFL Announces Several Leadership Changes
The National Football League has announced a wide variety of shifts in leadership within the league’s executive team. Amongst the changes, Mark Quenzel has been named Senior Vice President of NFL Programming and Productions, Ross Ketover has been named Senior Vice President of NFL Films, and Kevin LaForce has been designated to oversee media strategy and business development functions that support the NFL’s media licensing business while continuing to head the NFL’s venture capital fund.

Longtime ESPN Exec Joins NFL Network
Following a highly successful, 30-year tenure with ESPN, Ron Semiao is joining NFL Network to run the company’s programming department in addition to working on other efforts such as the NFL halftime show and NFL Honors. Semiao is set to join his former ESPN colleagues Steve Bornstein and Mark Quenzel in the NFL’s digital efforts.

B/R Multimedia Journalist Jumps Back Into The Sneaker Game
Madison Hartman indicated in a tweet that she is leaving her multimedia role at Bleacher Report to join Stadium Goods as the company’s new Social Director. Prior to Bleacher Report, Hartman held roles at Complex Sports, Sports Illustrated, and Thrillist.

Under Armour CDO Leaves Company For the Second Time
Dave Dombrow is exiting Under Armour for the second time within the last 4 years. Dombrow originally left the athletic wear company in early 2016 as Senior Vice President of Footwear and Accessories and most recently leaves as Under Armour’s latest Chief Design Officer.

CCM Hockey Names CMO
Hockey equipment brand CCM Hockey has hired Caroline Losson as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. Losson joins the hockey brand from a food and beverage marketing background after holding a multitude of rolls with Keurig Canada, Molson Coors, and Coca-Cola. CCM Hockey is a strong proponent of equality in sports, and recently gave Olympic skater Brianna Decker a $25,000 bonus after she broke a major NHL skating record.

Facebook Veteran Exits Company Following Privacy Crisis
Chris Cox is leaving Facebook as the company’s Head of Product due to what many believe is suggested internal business conflicts. In his statement, Cox stated that the company is now “focused on an encrypted, interoperable, messaging network” and that it “will be a big project, and [Facebook] will need leaders who are excited to see the new direction through.”

VICE Creative Exec Rejoins Twitter
Donna Lamar is joining Twitter to lead the company’s in-house Creative #Studio as Executive Creative Director. In her new role, Lamar is set to lead the visual and written expressions of the Twitter brand including product launches, major brand initiatives, campaigns, and core web properties. Lamar previously worked with Twitter from late 2016 to early 2018 as the Creative #Studio’s Creative Director before most recently working with VICE as a Group Creative Director.

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