ESPN creates Euro digital arm

by Tristan O'Carroll, Media Week 18-Feb-08, 14:37

LONDON - Disney-backed sports broadcaster ESPN is creating a digital media department for its EMEA operations.

The new department will have its own dedicated sales and sponsorship team, led by Jane McFadzean, who joined the company as associate director, advertising sales ESPN EMEA. McFadzean arrived from Orange at the end of January, where she was head of client development for the same regions.

The digital media team will be led by Tom Gleeson, who takes the role of vice-president digital media, ESPN EMEA. Gleeson will report to Lynne Frank, managing director EMEA, and will work with John Kosner, senior vice-president and general manager, ESPN Digital Media.

Gleeson joined the company with the recent acquisition of global cricket portal Cricinfo, where he was previously chief executive and managing director. Gleeson's portfolio will consist of all EMEA-based digital sites, including ESPNsoccernet, Cricinfo and Scrum.com, as well as ESPNclassic.com and NASN.com.