Created four years ago to cover the intersection of sports and race, The Undefeated now is exploring ways to be featured across Disney platforms and expand its coverage to sports, fashion, music, the arts and technology. As part of the move, The Undefeated Senior VP/Editor-in-Chief KEVIN MERIDA will report directly to ESPN President JIMMY PITARO; Merida had been reporting to ESPN Senior VP/Original Content ROB KING. The publication will continue to be based in DC, with Managing Editor RAINA KELLEY continuing to report to Merida. Pitaro in an email to employees this morning wrote, “We will also hire a business leader under Kevin with a focus on driving growth and monetization.”
MOVERS & SHAKERS: The move is part of a reorganization in Exec VP/Content CONNOR SCHELL’s group that will see King take on the role of Senior VP and Editor-at-Large of ESPN content -- a role last held by JOHN WALSH. King, who will report to Schell, will provide editorial decision-making and guidance in his new positions. As part of the reorg, ALISON OVERHOLT was promoted to Senior VP/Multiplatform Storytelling & Journalism, where she will report to Exec VP/Event and Studio Production & Exec Editor NORBY WILLIAMSON. CHRIS BUCKLE was promoted to VP/Investigative Journalism, where he will report to Overholt; and ERIN LEYDEN was promoted to Exec Producer/ESPN Films, where she will report to ESPN Films and Original Content VP & Exec producer LIBBY GEIST. Geist moves from reporting to King to reporting directly to Schell.
