Gentile, who rose to EVP of ESPN Marketing, is not part of the wave of layoffs hitting Disney and ESPNGetty Images
Laura Gentile is leaving ESPN after a 20-year career to start her own business. Gentile, who rose to EVP of ESPN Marketing, is not part of the wave of layoffs hitting Disney and ESPN, having made the decision to leave on her own. She will remain with ESPN until October. Gentile’s role will be taken by Tina Thornton, who was promoted to EVP/Creative Studio and Marketing. Thornton has spent 30 years at ESPN, most recently as head of content operations and creative surround at ESPN. She will report directly into ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro and will continue to oversee the company’s Creative Studio division. Later today, ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus will outline the corporate structure of his group, including the execs who will head up Production Operations, ESPN Directing, ESPN Next, Management Operations and Production Management, according to a memo Pitaro sent out this morning. “Laura’s strategic leadership and creativity have been vital to growing the ESPN brand, ESPN’s relationship with fans and our audience expansion efforts,” Pitaro wrote, highlighting Gentile’s work with the marketing department and espnW.
