NHL Senior Dir of Social Media Marketing & Strategy Michael DiLorenzo has left the league after four years. His last day is today. DiLorenzo has taken a job with the global PR firm Text 100 where he will be VP/Digital Communications. DiLorenzo joined the league in January '08 as Director of Corporate Communications. He reported to NHL Senior VP/Digital Media Perry Cooper, who left the league on Nov. 15 to work for the online fashion retailer Rue La La.
DiLorenzo was instrumental in developing the league’s social media footprint, and created the social media department in July '09. In April '09 DiLorenzo hosted a national tweetup for the NHL that was attended by 1,200 fans in 23 cities worldwide. He started the league’s Facebook page in July '09. Today the page has nearly 2 million followers. "I am really proud that we took social media from a curiosity to a core marketing function and line of business at the NHL,” DiLorenzo said. "John Collins and his team deserve a tremendous amount of credit for recognizing social media as a business opportunity, and having a vision for how to develop and integrate it." At the time of his departure, DiLorenzo had five social media employees working under him. According to a league rep, DiLorenzo’s staff will report to Senior VP/Business Development & Strategic Planning Stephen McArdle, who took over Cooper’s position last month.
