With business down, NASCAR announces big shakeup
BROADCASTING
Sports television veteran Steve Herbst has joined NASCAR Media Group (NMG) as vice president of broadcasting and global media strategy and will report to NMG President Paul Brooks. Herbst, who will be based in NASCAR’s New York City office, most recently held the position of executive vice president and general manger of CBS College Sports Network from 2008-2010. While there, he was responsible for managing all aspects of the 24-hour network. Under his leadership, the network’s subscriber base grew by 75 percent and advertising sales increased by 56 percent.
Prior to his stint at CBS-CSN, Herbst spent 19 years with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in a number of broadcasting positions, including SVP of Broadcast and General Manager of NBA TV. He was responsible for managing the league’s relationships with ABC, ESPN and TNT; served as head of production, programming, marketing and scheduling for NBA TV after launching the network in 1999; and played a key leadership role in the NBA.com news operation, NBA’s video-on-demand productions and managed the league’s production and programming relationship with Sirius Satellite Radio.
NASCAR INNOVATION GROUP
In addition to his continued role as president of NASCAR Media Group, Paul Brooks will lead a newly-created NASCAR Innovation Group that is charged with driving innovation and integration of new technologies within NASCAR and across the industry through the development of new partnerships, alliances and other forward-thinking initiatives.
SPONSORSHIP, LICENSING, AUTO AFTERMARKET AND NEW BUSINESS
Recently-promoted Chief Sales Officer Jim O’Connell, will now lead a consolidated intellectual property group that will manage all assets carrying the NASCAR trademark. This will include: Partnership Marketing, Auto Aftermarket, Licensing, and all new business efforts, including Official Partnerships with NASCAR. Norris Scott, who oversees NASCAR’s official partner relationships, has been promoted to vice president, partnership marketing. Scott, along with Blake Davidson (Licensing) and Todd Armstrong (Auto Aftermarket), will all now report to O’Connell. NASCAR has opened a search for additional senior-level sales talent to bolster the efforts of the consolidated operation. O’Connell will continue to report to NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps.
DIGITAL
Marc Jenkins has been promoted to vice president and tabbed to lead the company’s digital media initiatives. Digital Media has been realigned under Marketing with Jenkins reporting directly to Phelps. Jenkins will continue to play a key role in the management of partnerships and development of digital initiatives for NASCAR.
INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
As previously announced, NASCAR’s Integrated Marketing Communications department is being led by new Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes. Former Bank of America Vice President of Global Media Relations Jon Schwartz has joined the IMC team as director of business communications. Schwartz, who has extensive experience in sports sponsorship marketing communications from stops at Bank of America, MasterCard and US Tobacco, will lead all communications efforts in support of O’Connell’s intellectual property group.
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
NASCAR Vice President of Strategic Development Eric Nyquist, who leads the strategic planning discipline for the company, will continue to oversee entertainment initiatives led by Zane Stoddard in NASCAR’s Los Angeles office and NASCAR’s Green platform which is directed by Michael Lynch.
EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS
In addition to the promotions of Scott and Jenkins to the vice president level, NASCAR has elevated three other key executives who also will become officers in the company. Jill Gregory, who leads critical industry support efforts with numerous NASCAR stakeholders, has been named vice president, industry services and will continue to report to Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. George Silbermann, who has played a central role in NASCAR’s efforts to strengthen its development series, has been elevated to vice president, regional and touring series and will also continue reporting to O’Donnell. Marcus Jadotte has been promoted to vice president, public affairs and multicultural development. Jadotte, who has played a key role in legislative issues and led NASCAR’s Drive For Diversity program and other multicultural initiatives, will now report to NASCAR Senior Vice President and General Counsel Gary Crotty on public affairs initiatives and O’Donnell on multicultural programs.
STATEMENT – NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France
“We are committed to driving the sport forward by strengthening each aspect of the fan experience and to driving the sport forward in areas that serve the needs of our partners and stakeholders. We’re confident the changes we have made to our internal structure and the incredible talent we’ve added in these key strategic areas will best position NASCAR to drive industry growth now and in the future."