NFL Hires John Brody, Veteran Marketing Exec, To Guide Sponsorship, Media Sales
By Barry Janoff
February 20, 2013: The NFL confirmed what a some people had already suspected: John Brody has joined the league as svp-sponsorship and media sales.
In his new position, Brody will be responsible for "developing national partnerships tied to the NFL brand leveraging NFL media assets and league-controlled intellectual property, according to the league..He will report to Brian Rolapp, COO for NFL Media.
Brody, 40, comes from global sports and entertainment marketing, sponsorship, naming rights and activation firm Wasserman Media Group, where since 2010 he had been managing director of the company’s Partnership and Business Development division.
Brody helped to build Los Angeles-based WMG's office and marketing presence in New York.
"As some of you may know, I have decided to leave Wasserman to pursue a unique and exciting new opportunity to oversee the integrated sponsorship and media sales division at the National Football League," Brody wrote in an e-mail. "It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work at Wasserman with our tremendous team and extraordinary clients. I am looking forward to my new role at the NFL, which will bring many new responsibilities, challenges and opportunities."
"I am looking forward to my new role at the NFL, which will bring many new responsibilities, challenges and opportunities."
Among Brody's numerous accomplishments at Wasserman was his leadership role in securing a naming rights deal between MetLife and New Meadowlands Stadium. Super Bowl XLVIII will be held at the venue, home to both the New York Giants and New York Jets, next February.
Prior to joining WMG, Brody spent 12 years at Major League Baseball, the last seven as svp for the Corporate Sales and Marketing division. His tenure at MLB was split, as he Brody spent two years as eve and CMO for the NBA's the Boston Celtics.
Early on in his career, he was an advertising executive for Young & Rubicam New York.
“We are pleased to welcome John to our team,” Rolapp said in a statement. “John’s experience at the league, team and agency levels make him a well-rounded executive with a wealth of experience. We look forward to working with him to further deliver value to our fans, the league, teams and sponsors.”