This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, The Players’ Tribune President & Co-Founder Jaymee Messler steps down, Nickelodeon hires a new EVP of Unscripted Content and NASCAR SVP of Broadcasting & Production leaves the company.
For job openings and more on who’s moving where, check out the Hashtag Sports Weekly roundup.
Jaymee Messler has announced she is stepping down from The Players’ Tribune after helping launch the digital media company four years ago. In her time with TPT, Messler oversaw business strategy, sales and marketing, and athlete relations. Messler expressed her love and gratitude for the company in an Instagram post, but says she is leaving to focus on building something new.
Rob Bagshaw has been named EVP of Nickelodeon’s Unscripted Content. In his new role, Bagshaw will oversee development and production of unscripted content across all platforms and formats including both the Kids’ Choice Awards and Kids’ Choice Sports. Bagshaw previously worked as an executive producer on an upcoming YouTube series “If I Could Tell You Just One Thing” and E!’s “The Funny Dance Show.”
After a seven-year career with the company, Steve Herbst is leaving his post as NASCAR’s SVP of Broadcasting & Production as part of the company’s recent layoffs. Herbst served as one of the masterminds behind the 10-year, multi-billion dollar media rights deal with Fox and NBC that lasts through 2024. NASCAR EVP & CMO Jill Gregory will now oversee media, with VP/Global Media Strategy & Distribution Brian Herbst’s assistance.
Tatiana Holifield has been announced as the Indiana Pacers’ new VP/Head of Digital Strategy. In her new role, Holifield will lead up digital strategy for the entire Pacers organization. Holifield most recently served as Viacom’s Senior Director of Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategy.
Alexandra Baldwin has been named President of the PGA’s Web.com tour. Baldwin becomes the first woman in history to ever lead one of the PGA Tour’s six global circuits. After joining the PGA Tour in 2017, Baldwin has served a variety of roles that have prepared her for this “watershed moment” within the organization. With Baldwin’s new position, former Web.com tour President Dan Glod will now serve as the tour’s SVP of Global Sponsorship Strategy and Development.
The Switch, a global leader of managed, private cloud services that enhance video productions, has announced the hire of Charles Conroy as VP of Gaming. In his new role, Conroy will lead the company’s global expansion in gaming and esports. Conroy has extensive experience in professional gaming and most recently served as Chief Development Officer for Next Gen Tech.
Jason Schwartz has shared that he is returning to sports media upon announcing his new position with Sports Illustrated. In the new role, Schwartz will serve as a senior editor for the publication’s investigations and enterprise coverage. Schwartz previously worked as a media reporter at Politico for two years and worked as a senior editor for ESPN the magazine three years prior.
Chris Dahl has been promoted to Director of Communications with the MLBPA after serving as Assistant Director of Communications with the organization since 2015. In his new role, Dahl will oversee all areas of the MLBPA’s internal and external communications. Dahl has been with the MLBPA since 1997.
Pedro Franklin de Araujo has been announced as Orlando City SC’s SVP of Marketing & Branding. In his new role, Araujo will lead the brand and marketing strategy for the club, its team, and its facilities. Araujo previously served as Account Director at Octagon, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment agencies.
Former Facebook Strategic Manager, Lauren Schnipper, joins Next 10 Ventures, a start-up company investing in digital creators worldwide, as the company’s VP of Creator Partnerships. With Facebook, Schnipper assisted in launching both Facebook Live and Facebook Watch, in addition to leading Facebook’s presence at VidCon.
Turner has announced the promotions of Marybeth Strobel and Seth Cole. Strobel has been named SVP of Ad Innovation with Turner Ignite, while Cole has been named SVP of Brand Partnerships with Turner Ignite Sports. Both Strobel and Cole have previously been involved with the company’s advertising efforts to date.
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