As part of its commitment to building a best-in-class Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team, NASCAR today announced a number of key hires and changes in the areas of competition, stakeholder and content communications.
“As our marketing communications and media relations needs evolve, NASCAR is committed to enhancing the Integrated Marketing Communications team through growth and adjustments in key areas,” said Brett Jewkes, NASCAR vice president and chief communications officer.
Sean Doherty joins NASCAR as its director, digital & content communications from partner Sprint. He created, launched and led Sprint’s Social Care program, served as primary manager of Sprint’s corporate Twitter presence, and managed Sprint’s corporate communications social analytics program. Prior to Sprint, Doherty held research and database positions with several Washington, D.C., companies after graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans.
Doherty now will oversee the IMC content communications division, previously known as sport services, and play a key role in the development and operation of NASCAR’s new Fan and Media Engagement Center (FMEC). IMC’s current director of sport services, Stu Hothem, has accepted a position as director, content within the newly formed NASCAR Digital Media. Hothem will work with IMC during a transition period as NASCAR Digital Media prepares to launch a new NASCAR.com on January 1, 2013.
Tracey Judd has been named director, racing operations communications; she will remain within the competition unit of Integrated Marketing Communications overseen by Senior Director, Competition Communications Kerry Tharp. In Judd’s new role, she will primarily support Senior Vice President, Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell and his team, which is leading many of NASCAR’s innovation and product relevance initiatives over the next several years. Racing operations also oversees team ownership development, sanctions, schedule and the substance abuse program.
IMC Senior Manager, Competition Communications Amanda Ellis, who has served as primary media liaison for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will assume Judd’s previous role with the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Katey Hawbaker will join NASCAR in late July as manager, competition communications. Hawbaker will serve as the primary media liaison for the truck series, where she currently works for Red Horse Racing and previously at Kevin Harvick Inc. A graduate of Shippensburg (Pa.) University, she also has served as an account executive for Breaking Limits Marketing, a firm that represented NASCAR drivers Bobby Labonte, Aric Almirola and Jennifer Jo Cobb.
Stephanie Ackerman joins NASCAR as manager, stakeholder communications from her previous position as associate manager, brand public relations and communications for H.J. Heinz. Ackerman oversees production of the industry “B-Post” newsletter and leads other initiatives designed to more closely align NASCAR with its tracks, teams and other key stakeholders in the sport. Ackerman graduated from the P.I. Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University.
Ashley Mitchell, a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, joins NASCAR as coordinator, content communications. Mitchell worked as an editorial intern at Washington Life magazine and publishing assistant for Virginia Publishing during college, where she majored in comparative literature with a concentration in Spanish.
John Farrell, who has worked for NASCAR in licensing and publishing for five years, shifts to IMC content communications. Farrell will continue producing content for NASCAR’s licensed products as he adds editing and writing responsibilities within IMC.
NASCAR PR
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