Executive Transactions

Ctvrtlik Left USOC Role As VP/Int'l Relations In July

In Chicago, Philip Hersh noted USOC VP/Int'l Relations BOB CTVRTLIK "quietly resigned" his position in July to become Chicago 2016 Vice Chair. Ctvrtlik said the move was kept quiet because "we didn't want to give fodder to another bid city that the reason I left was a rift between the USOC and Chicago 2016" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 10/6). UNIVERSAL SPORTS' Alan Abrahamson noted Ctvrtlik resigned from the USOC one day after the organization announced plans to launch its own TV network. But Ctvrtlik said, "Due to (USOC) by-laws, it was mandatory that I resign from my volunteer position with the USOC when I took a full-time position with the bid. The fact that it happened the day after the U.S. Olympic Network was announced was coincidental" (UNIVERSALSPORTS.com, 10/6).

EXECS: Legacy Direct today announced that marketing exec Tony Ponturo will join the company as an investor and Strategic Business Development Advisor. Ponturo is currently CEO of Ponturo Management Group and formerly served as A-B VP/Global Media & Sports Marketing. Legacy Direct helps athletes manage their legacies and social impact (Legacy Direct)....Nike promoted GM of Austria, Germany, Slovenia & Switzerland MICHAELA STITZ to VP/Central & Eastern Europe, replacing MARC VAN PAPPELENDAM, who recently was named VP/U.K. & Ireland. Stitz will report to Nike President of Operations GARY DESTEFANO (Nike)....MSG Entertainment (MSGE) named HOWARD HANDLER Exec VP/Marketing & Sales. Handler will lead all MSGE marketing initiatives, including brand management and event sales (MSG)....Columbia Sportswear Co. named lucy activewear VP/Design KATHLEEN MCNALLY Creative Dir for Apparel (Columbia)....Learfield Sports appointed KIRK BERRIDGE VP/Sales & Digital Media. Berridge also will serve as a regional VP overseeing the company's collegiate properties in the Pacific Region. Berridge is the Founder of California-based Fan Media Network (Learfield).

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