Amazon appointed Marc Patrick, a former top Nike marketing manager, as its new global head of sports marketing.
Patrick had a 21-year career at Nike from 1998 to November 2019. His last role was head of global brand communications, and prior to that, was head of global brand marketing, specialty categories (Golf, Tennis and Nike Skateboarding). Over the last year, he had been SVP of marketing at Beyond Meat.
Patrick will take the lead on Amazon’s coverage of the National Football League (NFL) after the streaming service acquired the first all-digital package to televise Thursday Night Football in March in the new round of rights agreements. Amazon also just began streaming select New York Yankees games in the New York area via a stake in the Yankee-controlled YES Network. Patrick will also work with Amazon Studios on the company’s sports documentaries and other sports-related content.
Ukonwa Ojo, chief marketing officer of Amazon Prime Video, said in a memo: “As we all know, live sports are a key driver of growth for Prime Video. Marc’s expertise in executing winning sports marketing campaigns on behalf of some of the world’s best-known brands will ensure success in building customer awareness for our premium sports content.
“He will lead the team responsible for creating compelling marketing plans that effectively integrate mass media, social media, promotional activities, and other means of engaging fans on a global scale.”
Patrick will work alongside Amazon’s vice president of global sports video, Marie Donoghue, and report to Ojo.
Ojo’s full memo is below:
…
Hello everyone –
I’m writing with exciting news about a new member of our team – Marc Patrick will be joining us as Global Head of Sports Marketing. He will be responsible for developing breakthrough multi-media entertainment campaigns for our live sports offerings and will work closely with the NFL as the marketing lead for Thursday Night Football on Prime Video. Marc will also partner with Studios on sports docuseries and sports-themed content.
As we all know, live sports are a key driver of growth for Prime Video. Marc’s expertise in executing winning sports marketing campaigns on behalf of some of the world’s best-known brands will ensure success in building customer awareness for our premium sports content. He will lead the team responsible for creating compelling marketing plans that effectively integrate mass-media, social media, promotional activities and other means of engaging sports fans on a global scale.
Marc spent more than 20 years at Nike, Inc., holding key roles across a variety of functions, geographies and sports categories as the Head of Brand Marketing for Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Athletic Training, Skateboarding and Football. One of Marc’s major achievements at Nike was helping to build the company’s long-term partnership with the NFL, while leading marketing outreach to young football fans. Marc was most recently SVP of Marketing at Beyond Meat, where he launched their direct to consumer business, and helped bring plant-based food products into the cultural zeitgeist.
Marc’s extensive, multifaceted background makes him a terrific addition to the team – and I know that he’ll do a fantastic job of enhancing our efforts on behalf of our increasingly important sports offerings. Marc will report to me but partner closely with the Sports team under Marie Donoghue. Please join me in welcoming him.
Thanks.
Logo courtesy Amazon
