Former GM marketing exec PHIL GUARASCIO has signed to consult with the NFL on its marketing and merchandising efforts (AD AGE, 11/15)....The Trail Blazers have promoted HARRY HUTT to Exec VP & COO. Hutt was previously Senior VP/Marketing (OREGONIAN, 11/16)....Multiple reports in Canada have JOHN THRESHER stepping down as President & CEO of Athletics Canada, the national governing body for track & field. In Toronto, Randy Starkman reports that "many athletes were critical of the leadership shown during Thresher's tenure." Thresher said that he is leaving "because he wants to return to the private sector" (TORONTO STAR, 11/16)....The USTA named KAREN MARTIN-ELIEZER as Exec Dir of the USTA Tennis Foundation. Martin-Eliezer was Senior VP for the child care agency Graham-Windham Services (USTA)....MLB promoted former Dir of Security KEVIN HALLINAN to Senior VP/Security & Facilities Management. Hallinan has been with MLB since '86 (MLB)....NY-based Emerald City Media has named GREGG BACKER as VP/Production & New Business Development. Backer joins Emerald City from HBO Sports and has expanded Emerald City's client roster by adding HBO/TVKO and World Cup soccer (Emerald City Media).
