ESPN Research Veteran Artie Bulgrin to Retire in May

ESPN veteran Artie Bulgrin is retiring from his role as SVP Global Research and Analytics in May, after more than 21 years at the Disney-owned sports broadcaster.

Bulgrin (pictured) joined the firm as VP, Research and Sales Development in 1996, and has worked in his current role since 2008. Before this, he was Director, Research and Sales Data Services for ABC National Television Sales; and he spent eight years at Nielsen Media Research, latterly as VP Service Development.

During more than two decades at the company, Bulgrin has helped launch the ESPNX model for cross-platform measurement; established the ESPN Sports Poll to monitor the popularity and avidity of sports fans; and set up the ESPN All Day, Every Day tool to quantify the network's total audience. In addition, his group established Project Blueprint, a cross-platform measurement that became the basis for comScore's current industrywide initiative. In a memo to staff, Ed Erhardt, President of Global Sales & Marketing, described Bulgrin as the inventor of cross media research.

Company President John Skipper adds: 'It is hard to say goodbye to a legend, but it appears we will be doing just that at the end of May. Artie has tirelessly served this company for 21 years and, in that time, he has been a sage and calming voice amid a sea of change in our industry. I know I am not alone in saying that he will be missed - not only for his counsel, but for his friendship - and for being an integral part of the fabric of this company'.

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