This Week’s Movers in Sports Media and Marketing

This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, Nikko Tan joins the Bulls’ social team after three years with the Falcons, Scott Sandalow will head up AS Roma’s American brand development, and Clara Shean is set to join the Diamondbacks for the 2020 season.

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

Former Oprah Winfrey Network exec hired by gaming TV network Venn

Neil Kirsch, who as recently as 2016 was COO and CFO of Oprah’s cable channel, will be joining the Video Game Entertainment and News Network (VENN) in the same position ahead of their 2020 launch. Before his time at OWN, Kirsch spent 9 years as executive VP and CFO of Discovery Networks.

Unlike the traditional paid-TV model at OWN and Discovery, Kirsch will be instrumental in implementing what many see as the future of distribution: online programming. VENN hopes to combine coverage of esports tournaments with Twitch-like live streaming and other video game-related content. With $17 million raised in recent seed funding, VENN plans to open studios in Los Angeles and New York, as well as work with video game streamers who have made a name for themselves on Twitch and YouTube.

Greg Oden comes aboard Edyoucore Sports & Entertainment as athlete advisor

Former NBA player Greg Oden has joined Edyoucore Sports & Entertainment as an athlete advisor, the company announced in a press release. Edyoucore is a company focused on providing young athletes and entertainers with the tools and education necessary to set them up for long-term financial stability. Oden, a former #1 draft pick who saw much of his early career hampered by injury, will join NFL vet Bart Scott and former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker, both of whom have been serving as athlete advisors at Edyoucore since its inception.

Clara Shean accepts role with Diamondbacks social media team for 2020 season

Former Indiana University Southeast softball player and Bronx Pinstripes social media intern Clara Shean announced on Twitter that she accepted a social media role with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2020 season. Shean has a depth of social media experience, particularly in baseball – the Bronx Pinstripes are a YES Network-partnered blog and podcast hub for Yankee fans. Before interning with the Pinstripes, she was a social media intern at the Louisville Bats, the triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Scott Sandalow joins AS Roma as Director of Brand Development, Americas

AS Roma has hired soccer marketing vet and Chicago native Scott Sandalow as Director of Brand Development, Americas. With a resume filled with soccer teams based both in the United States and abroad, Sandalow was most recently Senior Manager, Digital Marketing and Fan Services at FC Bayern Munchen. Prior to that, he spent over two years with the New York Red Bulls as Digital Media Manager, and began his career in soccer marketing with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club as Digital Media Lead. Sandalow also has an impressive freelance marketing portfolio, featuring clientele like adidas, Wrigley, and Farmer’s Insurance.

Chicago Bulls add Nikko Tan as Digital Content Coordinator

Atlanta Falcons social engagement specialist and University of Florida graduate Nikko Tan had his last game for the team on Thanksgiving – he will soon be joining the Chicago Bulls as Digital Content Coordinator. Tan has an extensive background in sports media and marketing: he joined the Falcons social media team out of college and spent three years in multiple positions at the organization.

During his time at the University of Florida, Tan covered various Florida sports teams — collegiate and high school alike — for a variety of networks including ESPN 850 WRUF, Florida Sports Talk/NBC Sports, WUFT News, and InsideTheGators.com.

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