Monday, September 24, 2018
Power Players: Brand Builders
They are the executives everyone wants to get in front of, get to know and get to pitch. These brand builders have made a true investment in sports, allowing their brands to develop deeper relationships with consumers while growing market share.
Looking for balance
Just 22 months out from the Tokyo Games, USA Gymnastics continues to struggle with righting its ship after the Nassar scandal, one failed CEO and a new board later.
Going to the mat for football talent
The startup Alliance of American Football and Vince McMahon’s relaunched XFL take different tacks as they compete for players months before they launch.
Going to pot: Keep an eye on cannabis being a future category
Every sports marketing agency we speak with is trying to assess cannabis. Nine states have legalized recreational use of the drug; 31 have approved medical use and weed will be legal across Canada next month, helping the CFL to pursue a new sponsorship deal.
CBS confirms its commitment to sports following departure of Moonves
After Les Moonves' resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, CBS Sports has been visiting league partners to assure them that its sports strategy will not change.
Relevent Expertise: Daniel Sillman
Despite constantly being the youngest person in the room, Relevent's 29-year-old CEO has bold plans and fits right in with sports’ power brokers.
Power Players
- Power Players: Brand Builders
- Simon Atkins, Adidas
- John Slusher and Elliott Hill, Nike
- Steve Haener, Chevrolet
- Cooper Ericksen, Lexus
- Monique Harrison, Mercedes-Benz USA
- Ed Laukes, Toyota
- Nick Kelly, Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Rene Ramos, Constellation Brands
- Adam Dettman, MillerCoors
- Patrick Fitzgerald, FedEx
- Ron Rogowski, UPS
- Deborah Curtis, American Express
- Charles Greenstein, Bank of America
- Byron Daub and Ben Freidson, Capital One
- Tina Davis, Citi
- Michael Robichaud and Michael Goldstein, Mastercard
- Frank Nakano, JPMorgan Chase
- Kate Johnson, Visa
- Nick Carey, Wells Fargo
- Pam Hollander and Dan Keats, Allstate
- Melissa Halicy, Geico
- Ed Gold, State Farm
- Diego Suarez, Burger King
- Tom Manchester, Dunkin' Donuts
- John Lewicki, McDonald's
- Melissa Richards-Person, Papa John's
- Zipporah "Zip" Allen, Pizza Hut
- John Cordova and Ricardo Fort, Coca-Cola
- Brett O'Brien and Jeff Kearney, Gatorade
- Adam Harter and Justin Toman, PepsiCo
- Noah Syken, IBM
- Julie Coppernoll, Intel
- John Paddleford and Rob Matthews, Microsoft
- Alex Chang, Samsung
- Mark Wright, AT&T
- Meredith Starkey, T-Mobile
- John Nitti and Robert Stecklow, Verizon
- Bill Betz, Delta Air Lines
- Janet Fletcher, Procter & Gamble
Leagues and Governing Bodies
- USA Gymnastics: Looking for balance
- Going to the mat for football talent
- Comfortable uncomfortableness at Colts game
- IndyCar wraps up season with title sponsor search top of mind
- NASCAR leadership changes continue as Dewar sets exit
- FCFL adds Montana as an investor, adviser
- Walsh Jennings goes on attack with p1440 series
- First Look podcast: Motorsports