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Game Changers

Game Changers: Mary Scott

Photo: COURTESY OF MARY SCOTT
For Scott, with daughter Regan, success includes a happy family.
Mary Scott
Matter Inc.
Managing Director

In her first job in sports, more than 20 years ago, Mary Scott learned a lot while working in the sales group at Katz Communications. Most of all, she figured out what she did not want to do.

“It was a great entrée in the sports industry,” Scott said, “but I realized ad sales was not the career track for me.”

Ever since, Scott has made her mark as one of the leading communications practitioners in the business of sports. At Matter, she oversees global offerings, including the firm’s Olympic and soccer business, and manages programs for Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Samsung and IBM. She has managed global on-site marketing communications teams at every Olympics since the Sydney Games in 2000. Other clients have included NBC, Adidas, Pepsi, Puma, the Women’s Sports Foundation, the PGA Tour, Sports Illustrated and the New York City Marathon.

Prior to joining Matter, Scott spent five years at the NFL, where she handled corporate communications on behalf of NFL Enterprises, the media development and technology arm of the league and its teams. She said her career gains can be attributed, at least in part, to an enormous drive. “I’m a very competitive and passionate person,” she said.

— Christopher Botta
  • What is the best advice you’ve ever received?: My father, whom I admire greatly, often told me, “Work hard and recognize that you can only control the things you can control, and know when to let things go.”
  • The biggest challenge I face working in the sports business is …: Continuing to showcase and prove the true breadth and power of communications and engagement in the overall marketing mix. It’s a challenge I embrace.
  • One attribute I look for when hiring is …: Passion.
  • My vision of success is …: Happy clients, staff and family — ideally all at the same time.
  • Outside of work and family, I’m spending a lot of my time on …: Finding more time for personal growth (reading, working out, community service), and I’m an avid cook and love trying out new recipes.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“The first word that comes to mind when I think of Mary is tenacious. She will out-work anyone, and she will work smartly, with a purpose. She does not like to lose. But above all the diligence, creativity and resourcefulness, she’s a great person. There’s a reason why if you ask anyone in our business, they all like to work with Mary.”

  • Chris Widmaier, managing director of corporate communications, U.S. Tennis Association

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