NFL CMO DAWN HUDSON "plans to step down next month" after four seasons with the league in which she helped it "navigate crises such as domestic abuse," according to Alexandra Bruell of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Hudson, who previously served as PepsiCo President & CEO, said that she "plans to explore other, non-marketing opportunities." The move comes after MARYANN TURCKE was promoted to NFL COO to take over for the departing TOD LEIWEKE. Hudson said that she and Commissioner ROGER GOODELL agreed upon her arrival in September '14 that she "would only stay for a handful of seasons." She called Turcke's promotion a "natural breaking point" for her and the league. Hudson: "She deserves someone who will be in it for the long-term with her. That wasn't going to be me." The NFL will "conduct a search internally and externally" to find a replacement. Bruell notes Hudson helped the NFL "tackle various crises, from accusations of domestic abuse involving players to studies linking football with long-term brain injuries." She also was "behind various campaigns meant to bring 'humanity' to the NFL brand." Those include "Super Bowl Babies," a "humorous spot that shows babies dressed up as football legends," as well as the election-inspired "Inside These Lines" (WSJ.com, 3/16). The departures of Hudson and Leiweke come after Exec VP/Communications JOE LOCKHART and Senior VP/Communications NATALIE RAVITZ "left last month" (ESPN.com, 3/16).
