The NFL is conducting a search for a new CMO after a series of high-level organizational changes, outlined in a memo sent yesterday by NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL to teams and league officials. MARK WALLER is dropping his CMO title to fully focus on international, a role he previously had before taking over marketing. He will be promoted to Exec VP and report directly to Goodell. Waller joined the NFL in '06 to run international and assumed the CMO role in '09. ERIC GRUBMAN will focus on "critical league priorities, including stadium development, the return of a team presence to the Los Angeles area, the league’s strategic investment fund, and other key strategic initiatives," Goodell wrote. Grubman had been Exec VP/NFL Ventures & Business Operations. NFL Exec VP/Media and NFL Network President & COO BRIAN ROLAPP adds consumer products to his oversight, according to the memo. CHRIS HALPIN will be promoted to Senior VP and have responsibility for Consumer Products, the commissioner wrote. The new CMO will oversee events. Previously, events reported to Grubman, who will continue to oversee the area until a new CMO is found. The NFL last week promoted PETER O'REILLY to Senior VP/Events, replacing FRANK SUPOVITZ. The memo also noted JEFF MILLER, who runs security, is promoted to Senior VP (Daniel Kaplan, Staff Writer).
CITY OF ANGELS: In L.A., Sam Farmer writes Grubman's new role "represents the first time in more than a decade that such a high-ranking league official has been assigned to the L.A. conundrum." Grubman yesterday confirmed his new responsibilities and said of whether the L.A. market warrants a more sustained focus by the NFL, "We think it does." Grubman: "The building blocks are there. There remain multiple sites available. So the focus is demanded" (L.A. TIMES, 8/27).
