Industry Moves
Industry return for Willoughby as PFL global partnerships head
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has hired Damian Willoughby, the former City Football Group and EA Sports executive who briefly worked at Chelsea, as its head of global partnerships
Aon’s Weitz takes on ‘CMO-plus’ role at PGA Tour
Leading sports marketer Andy Weitz has been named chief marketing and communications officer and executive vice-president, investor relations, for the PGA Tour’s global operations.
Al-Kudcy leaving Chelsea Women to become WSL commercial chief
Zarah Al-Kudcy, the commercial director for reigning WSL champion Chelsea Women, is leaving the club to become the chief revenue officer for NewCo, the independent body set up to run the top-flight women’s league and the second-tier Women’s Championship.
Ex-World Rugby CCO Hill named commercial director of Ineos cycling team
Tom Hill, a former commercial executive at World Rugby and Manchester United, has joined UCI WorldTour professional cycling team Ineos Grenadiers as its commercial director
Further acquisitions planned as ex-M&C Saatchi chiefs form agency
Former M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment senior executives Steve Martin and Jamie Wynne-Morgan are launching a new global agency, MSQ Sport+Entertainment, which is planning further acquisitions to build its capabilities “from the ground up”.
Two Circles makes NIL move with collegiate arm
Two Circles has continued its US market push under new ownership with the creation of a business vertical to help maximise the value of college sports athletes’ name, image and likeness (NIL) rights.
Zeekr ramps up European hires alongside Diamond League deal
Chinese electric car brand Zeekr is looking to fill major marketing and brand positions in Europe as it backs an awareness drive that includes sponsorship of the Diamond League
Ex-Google marketing exec Sanders takes Cricket Australia CCO reins
Cricket Australia has filled a key void in its executive team, with the appointment of Ed Sanders as its chief commercial officer.
James launches Bazballers Consulting after departing ECB
Commercial rights executive Russell James has set up a new consultancy after recently vacating the sales and marketing director position at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
Abrutyn exits Bruin for top CAA ice hockey role
David Abrutyn, a 30-year sports industry veteran, is joining the sports division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to bolster its ice hockey business.
McAuliffe joins Excel in international role
US sports agency Excel Sports Management has hired UK sports marketer Sean McAuliffe as Excel’s first European-based executive dedicated to its property sales business.
Seymour-Hyde joins F1 commercial team
Formula 1 has bolstered its commercial team with the hiring of Joel Seymour-Hyde, who joins as head of partnership management, having departed his role as managing director, UK at Octagon in December last year.
Brown swaps ECB for Blast as commercial director
Blast, the international esports tournament organiser, has appointed former England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) commercial executive James Brown as its new commercial director
Riot Games promotes Mulhall to global esports role
Riot Games has promoted David Mulhall to a global role overseeing its entire esports sponsorship portfolio in recognition of his work building the commercial strategy for the Valorant Esports property.
Ralley leaves World Rugby for St Andrews commercial role
James Ralley, World Rugby’s director of partnerships and brand, has left the organisation to become the commercial director for the St Andrews Links Trust, the body that manages the seven links golf courses at St Andrews in Scotland.
Krauss to vacate Infront Austria MD, winter sports roles
Stefan Krauss, the long-standing managing director of Infront Austria and the agency’s vice-president of winter sports, is to leave the company by the end of next month.
Ehrenkranz joins Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions as agency president
Sports marketing veteran Jeff Ehrenkranz has joined Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions as president of the Huntersville, North Carolina-based agency
Lutz to leave Team Marketing for BJK Cup CEO role
Kerstin Lutz has called time on over 23 years at Team Marketing to become chief executive of the new entity set up to commercialise women’s tennis’ Billie Jean King Cup.