Bryan Burns Forms New Consultancy The Forward Direction Group

Former ESPN and MLB exec Bryan Burns has formed a new sports and entertainment consultancy, The Forward Direction Group. The company, based in Guilford, Conn., will focus on a variety of media, technology and marketing efforts. Burns, a 17-year vet at ESPN who most recently was VP/Strategic Planning, had been part of a series of corporate layoffs in June. Burns' departure was tied to ESPN's plans to shut down its three-year-old 3D channel by the end of the year.

Also joining Burns in the new consultancy are a variety of sports industry veterans, including Cathi Bosco, Jayne Hancock, Jared Miller, Jim Noel, Samantha Rudolph, Jody Shapiro, Jim Sperry and Rick White.