This week in the sports media and marketing ecosystem, WWE Studios taps Susan Levison as new boss, Sal Petruzzi is stepping down from Turner Broadcasting and FOX Sports names Dan Donnelly new SVP of Ad Sales Marketing.
For job openings and more on who’s moving where, check out the Hashtag Sports Weekly roundup.
Turner Exec Steps Down from Company
Following the network’s new ownership shift to AT&T, Sal Petruzzi announced he is stepping down from Turner Broadcasting System after nearly 16 years with the company. Petruzzi is expected to stay with the company through the transition period but is leaving shortly afterward due to not finding any roles of interest under the new structure. Petruzzi first started with Turner in 2003 as VP of Communications and most recently served as Domestic Communications Officer.
Fox Sports Names SVP of Ad Sales Marketing
Dan Donnelly has been appointed to Senior VP of Ad Sales Marketing with FOX Sports. In his new role, Donnelly will oversee the television network’s Sports Marketing division and create opportunities for brands to be represented across all of FOX Sports’ properties. Donnelly most recently worked as EVP of Publicis Media Sports.
Twitter Taps Amobee Exec
Katie Ford is joining Twitter as the social media giant’s new Global Head of Brands. In her new role, Ford will head the team managing Twitter’s global ad partnerships and key accounts. Prior to her new role with Twitter, Ford served as Chief Client Officer with Amobee following a 24+ year stint with Publicis agencies Leo Burnett, Starcom, and Spark Foundry.
EA Heading in New Company Direction
Video game publisher Electronic Arts recently laid off 350 people in marketing, publishing, and other areas. According to a release put out by EA, company CEO Andrew Wilson stated that EA is making changes to the internal marketing and publishing organization, the internal operations teams, along with reducing the company’s current presence in Japan and Russia as they focus on different ways to serve players in those markets.
Learfield IMG College Announces EVP of National Sales
Andrew Judelson has been named Executive Vice President of National Sales for Learfield IMG College as the newly combined company moves forward with providing brands compelling and customizable solutions within the rapidly evolving collegiate sports marketing landscape. Prior to his new role, Judelson’s held executive positions with the NHL, Sports Illustrated, and, most recently, the WWE.
CBS Television Studios Exec Moves to WWE Studios
Susan Levison has been appointed Senior Vice President and Head of WWE Studios. In her new role, Levison will oversee creative development and production of scripted and unscripted content that promotes the WWE brand across domestic and international platforms. Levison most recently worked with CBS Television Studios as Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming, following a four-year stint with VH1.
NHL Hires Industry Vet
John Lewicki is joining the NHL front office as Vice President of International Business Development & Partnerships. In his new role, Lewicki will oversee development of the league’s strategic partnerships with a specific focus on growth in Europe and Asia. Lewicki has previously spent the last 11 years with McDonald’s where he most recently worked as Head of Global Alliances.
XFL Announces Series of New Exec Roles
Jordan Schlachter and Derek Throneburg have been brought into the front office of the newly developed XFL. Schlachter will be joining the league from the NBPA as Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer while Throneburg will be joining the league from the Indiana Pacers as Senior Vice President of Team Business Operations.
Longtime Tech Vet Joins Quibi
Tom Conrad has been named Chief Product Officer of the mobile-first media platform Quibi. In his new role, Conrad will lead product and customer support, becoming the latest addition to the ambitious short-form video venture’s senior management team. Prior to his role with Quibi, Conrad held notable executive roles with both Snapchat and Pandora.
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