ESPN Aligns Research, Sales and Marketing

In the US, sports entertainment media firm ESPN has announced plans for closer integration of its marketing, data, research and sales functions; and accordingly has added consumer marketing and research responsibility to the role of sales and marketing leader Ed Erhardt.

In addition, Justin Connolly has been promoted to EVP, Disney & ESPN Affiliate Sales and Marketing, overseeing all aspects of domestic distribution and affiliate marketing.

Erhardt, who has been President, Global Sales & Marketing since 1999, leads a sales and marketing team covering all media and marketing platforms under the ESPN umbrella. Before joining the firm, he worked at Advertising Age in a variety of roles, including VP/Group Publisher, responsible for all content and business operations. Previously he was VP of Sales at the National Journal, and he worked at the Soho Weekly News, and Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

In his new role, Erhardt is responsible for developing an insights-driven marketing and data organization, supporting the company's advertising sales.

John Skipper, ESPN President and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks, comments: 'Ed and Justin have been at the forefront in developing industry-shaping sales initiatives during some of the most exciting times in our company's history. They are best-suited to create new opportunities for ESPN in the most dynamic media landscape ever.'

Web site: www.espn.go.com .