This Week’s Movers in Sports Media & Marketing

Talent Shifts in Sports Media: Twitter Hires Director of Social and Editorial

This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, Deirdre Fenton to head DAZN’s sports documentary business, Twitter secures new Global Director of Social and Editorial, and Endeavor appoints their first chief digital officer.

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

GumGum Grows Its Leadership Team

GumGum, the artificial intelligence company specializing in image recognition, has made three significant hires in a larger leadership shakeup to advance growth strategy. Tech veteran Patrick Gildea has been named CFO. Previously Gildea worked at Gracenote in the same role. Additionally, GumGum has promoted Ben Plomion from CMO to the newly formed role of Chief Growth Officer, and Adam Schenkel’s responsibilities shift as he moves from VP of Programmatic to SVP of Commercial Development.

Former eBay Exec Joins Endeavor as Media Comglomorate’s First Chief Digital Officer

Endeavor has appointed Guy Schory as the agency and media conglomerate’s first Chief Digital Officer. In the new role, Schory will lead the company’s digital ambitions across product management, marketing, data platforms, advertising, and commerce in addition to Endeavor’s digital direct-to-consumer and B2B operations which include Endeavor Streaming. Schory is a well-known industry exec and has previously held leadership roles at eBay and Paypal dating back to 2006.

Ryen Russillo Set to Officially Join The Ringer

Russillo, who joined ESPN Radio in 2006, announced he’s leaving the Worldwide Leader after 14 years to join The Ringer on a multiyear deal at the end of the month. Russillo and Bill Simmons have been working together over the past year, with the former making regular appearances on numerous podcasts across The Ringer. Once he begins working at an official capacity, Russillo will do three “Dual Threat” podcasts each week during the NFL season, and two per week in the offseason, in addition to joining other Ringer pods.

Twitter Secures New Global Director of Social and Editorial

Alphonzo Terrell has been named Twitter’s new Global Director of Social and Editorial. Terrell, who spent the past decade with Showtime and HBO, most recently as the latter’s Director of Digital and Social Marketing, confirmed the news on Twitter.

DAZN Hires Award-Winning ESPN Producer To Head Original Programming

Deirdre Fenton, one of the producers of Oscar-Winning documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” has been named DAZN’s new Executive Vice President of Content for North America. Fenton will run the streaming service’s sports documentary business and report to Jamie Horowitz and John Skipper, who lead DAZN’s North American operations. Fenton had been with ESPN for the better part of 13 years.

Minnesota Vikings Find New COO

The Vikings have hired former Toronto Blue Jays’ VP of Business Operations, Andrew Miller, to serve as the team’s new COO. Miller spent the past four seasons with the Blue Jays and previously worked with the Cleveland Indians, where he was credited with the growth of the Goodyear Player Development Complex during a decade-long stint. Miller joins the Vikings at the end of the month and will be replacing Kevin Warren who recently departed the team’s front office to serve as the new Big Ten commissioner.

Houston Outlaws Appoint New Team President

The Houston Outlaws, of the Overwatch League, announced Chris DeAppolonio as the team’s President. In the new role, DeAppolonio will continue expanding the brand in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio ahead of the upcoming 2020 season. Additionally, he will lead all of the team’s business and competition-related operations. DeAppolonio previously served as Executive VP of Partnerships at Infinite Esports and Entertainment, the former parent company of the Houston Outlaws.

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