Wasserman
Be fearless. That’s the mindset Thayer Lavielle has applied to her 20-plus years of experience in sports, which has allowed her to effect positive change at Wasserman and the broader sports business industry.
Thayer Lavielle
Executive Vice President, Talent Marketing and Operations, The Collective, Wasserman
Born: Boston
Education: Colgate University, B.A.
“My career in sports took a very circuitous route and was never planned,” Lavielle said. “I’ve gotten to where I am because I was fearless about the choices I was making in my career and often went with what was most interesting around what I wanted to learn versus what felt like the next right thing.”
The latest example of that mindset in action was the launch of The Collective, Wasserman’s newly formed women’s division. Wasserman hopes to connect major companies, consumers and fans with some of the country’s best-known female athletes to create an opportunity for them to attract more marketing engagement and awareness.
“It’s been an incredible experience to be able to work across the company and to bring out really the best of some of our work in a space that I’m passionate about,” Lavielle said.
Over the past year, she has led Wasserman’s strategic partnership network around the agency’s 2019 NBA draft preparation program called Wasserman Connect, helping to address clients’ evolving representation needs. She also was responsible for Wasserman’s market expansion into China, setting the company’s strategy and assisting in reaching new business goals. — Lucas Smith
Getting to know...
Guilty pleasure: Just one? Binge-watching whatever series I am into, going to concerts and listening to music.
Something your friends would consider “so you”: That I get up at 4:30 a.m. every day. I can’t help it, it just happens.
Proudest professional achievement: Launching The Collective, our women’s division, is not only rewarding but energizing. Let it be known, you can do good while doing good business.
Role of sports in social issues: Athletes have an incredible platform and if they choose to utilize their voices and influence to bring social issues that are important to them to light, I think that’s a great thing. What matters most is authenticity, so as long as athletes and brands in sports are being true to themselves in their support or criticism of social issues, I’m all for it.
