(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Clear Channel Entertainment Properties has appointed three new national sales executives brought on board in response to increasing demand from consumer marketers for branded live entertainment offerings. Chris Foy, Jim McDonald and Andy Peikon have joined the company as vice presidents for national sales.
Clear Channel Entertainment Properties has a significant number of new touring properties and custom special events in development for 2005 and beyond including the Las Vegas Centennial celebration, debut of U.S. Download Festival, the first ever Dave Matthews Band Island Getaway, Street Warriors car culture series, Def On Demand, music and theatrical venue naming rights and programs, Broadway Across America and Lennon on Broadway, to name just a few.
"We're seeing an upsurge in companies embracing branded live entertainment," said Bruce Eskowitz, president of Clear Channel Entertainment Properties. "With traditional advertising becoming increasingly cluttered, more and more brands are finding that live entertainment delivers results-oriented programs that drive greater ROI. We're expanding our team on a national level to address this increasing demand from both small and large brands seeking out non-traditional marketing."
"Jim, Andy and Chris bring the right combination of sports, entertainment marketing and vertical industry credentials that is needed to further advance our capabilities and extend our live entertainment expertise in new industries such as financial services, retail and consumer packaged goods," said Russell Wallach, executive vice president, Clear Channel Entertainment Properties. "We are confident that their sales and marketing leadership skills and business relationships will further enhance our company as the branded live entertainment leader."
Foy brings a 10 year track record of quantifiable corporate sponsorship and sports business success and has represented the International Hockey League and several individual hockey franchises. He was acting as both an advisor as well as a seller for many high profile NFL, NHL, NBA and MLS naming rights deals in his role as vice president, sponsorship sales for The Bonham Group. He brings the attractive mix of understanding both sides of the sales equation, representing both corporate clients and naming rights, teams and facilities.
McDonald brings an extensive background that crosses traditional media, integrated media solutions, sponsorship and online sales. He developed and sold custom marketing solutions across all Turner broadcast assets and managed sponsorships including the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York. Previously, he had a dual role of chief marketing officer for the USA Paralympics and director, integrated sponsorship sales for the U.S. Olympic Properties.
Peikon brings a highly accomplished profile in sponsorship-based marketing solutions. Andy spent eight years at Madison Square Garden (MSG) Properties with expertise in creating, packaging and selling solution-based marketing programs MSG's sports properties and Radio City Entertainment's theatrical properties. While at MSG, he secured and managed new accounts including Procter and Gamble, AOL, Schering-Plough, Heineken, Deutsche Bank, Toys "R" Us and Dreyfus.
"Clear Channel Entertainment Properties now has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.," added Wells. "We are proud of our momentum and plan to expand into other markets quickly." –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
