NEW YORK: Amazon has announced the appointment of former Nike executive Marc Patrick as the company’s global head of sports marketing as it continues its push into live sports.
Patrick, who had served for 20 years at Nike before shifting to alternative food company Beyond Meat, reports in to Amazon Studios and Amazon Prime Video chief marketing officer Ukonwa Ojo.
Patrick will oversee marketing of all live sports, including the NFL. The company also just began streaming select New York Yankees games in the New York area via a stake in the Yankee-controlled YES Network. Globally, it also carries football, tennis and other live sports.
In addition to overseeing the drive for live tune-in, Patrick will also work on sports-themed documentaries and series made by the studio.
Deadline accessed the memo issued by Ujo announcing Patrick’s appointment, which reads:
“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.”
