London-based CSM Sport & Entertainment "has its sights on the U.S. and named American Zak Brown to lead the charge as the group’s new chief executive," according to Michael Smith of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL.
CSM, a division of Chime Communications, "has built a broad base of business throughout Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East over the past eight years, but has a small presence in the U.S."
That is expected to change. Brown, as the new CEO, "has been charged with filling that gap by growing CSM’s revenue in North America." CSM’s eye on the U.S. "marks the entry of a major player with Chime’s deep resources." Brown, whose goal is to double CSM's total revenue within five years, said, "We have capabilities that a lot of people, especially in the U.S., don’t know about. Right now, we’re a well-kept secret." Brown will "take over leadership of CSM, which is made up of 12 sports and entertainment businesses, each of which has maintained its own branding and identity." Over the last year, CSM was "active helping brands activate at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games." Among the brands the firm’s agencies have worked with are Dove Men+Care in rugby, Jaguar/Land Rover in the Invictus Games and UBS in F1 racing. Brown, 43, a SportsBusiness Journal Forty Under 40 hall of famer, "will still maintain an active role at JMI, the agency he founded in 1995, as executive chairman."
Jon Flack, a veteran of 13 years at JMI, "will remain president in the U.S., while David Webb will continue as the international president." Brown’s CEO position "will not be filled." JMI’s clients include UPS, Subway and Crown Royal (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/23 issue).
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