YASMINA AZELMAD joined FranceTV Publicité Group as its int'l managing director. Azelmad will lead the sales and int'l marketing teams and will be responsible for generating and growing int'l advertising revenue across all channels and digital media platforms for France Télévisions, France 24, MCD and TV5 Monde (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 12/4). ... Enthusiast Gaming announced the appointment of gaming industry leaders JOHN KOLLER of Twitch, MATT RYAN of National Access Cannabis, MIKE WALL of Park Hill Ventures and MATT LEVITAN of Press Start Marketing as advisers (Enthusiast Gaming) ... SERGI PUJALTE, who for the last four years led agency RPM-Mktg's outdoor division, was named Ironman's director of operations for southern Europe. His "challenge will be to coordinate the growth" of the endurance race and the rest of Ironman's portfolio on the Iberian Peninsula (PALCO23, 12/4).
COACHES/MANAGERS: La Liga side Athletic Bilbao sacked coach EDUARDO BERIZZO and replaced him with B team manager GAIZKA GARITANO on Tuesday after a "dire run of form" which has left the club 18th in La Liga. Athletic Bilbao is the only team besides Real Madrid and Barcelona that has never been relegated from Spain’s top flight (REUTERS, 12/4). ... Premier League side Southampton agreed to a three-year deal to make RALPH HASENHUTTL its new manager. The club sacked MARK HUGHES on Monday (London DAILY MAIL, 12/4). ... League One side AFC Wimbledon appointed former Brentford Manager WALLY DOWNES as its manager. Downes replaces NEAL ARDLEY (BBC, 12/4).
