Nielsen Sports co-Global Managing Dir DANNY TOWNSEND is leaving to become CEO of Australian League club Sydney FC. Townsend, a '15 SBJ "Forty Under 40" winner, will remain with Nielsen Sports full time through Oct. 6, and will serve as an advisor to the company through the end of the year. Meanwhile, Nielsen Sports promoted co-Global Managing Dir GLENN LOVETT by dropping the "co" from his title. Before joining Nielsen, Lovett was Repucom Global President of Strategy (THE DAILY). In Sydney, James Buckley writes Townsend has the "unenviable task of filling the big shoes left behind by TONY PIGNATA." During Pignata's five-year tenure as Sydney FC CEO, he "turned around the club's finances and oversaw last season's premiership success." Buckley notes Townsend is a Repucom co-Founder (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 8/22). Also in Sydney, Tom Smithies writes Townsend returns to his home city "after more than a decade working overseas." Viewed as a sponsorship and marketing expert, Townsend's role will "undoubtedly focus on giving his new club more cut-through in a hugely competitive city" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 8/22).
