Forty Under 40: Class of 2009

Steve Battista

THEN: SVP, brand, Under Armour
NOW: CMO, Revtown

Dan Beckerman*

THEN: COO/CFO, AEG
NOW: President/CEO, AEG Worldwide

David Berson*

THEN: EVP, program planning and strategy, ESPN
NOW: President/CEO, CBS Sports

Pete Bevacqua

THEN: Chief business officer, U.S. Golf Association
NOW: AD, University of Notre Dame

David Bialek

THEN: President, ANC Sports Marketing
NOW: Former CEO, ReKTGlobal; adviser/consultant

Robert Birge

THEN: CMO, IMG
NOW: Chief customer and marketing officer, EasyJet

Marshall Carlson

THEN: EVP/GM, Hendrick Motorsports
NOW: President, Hendrick Companies

Joie Chitwood III

THEN: President/COO, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
NOW: Interim executive director, Cognizant Classic

Jason Dial

THEN: Director, global sports marketing, Procter & Gamble
NOW: COO, OrderB4

Derek Eiler

THEN: SVP/managing director, Collegiate Licensing Co. 
NOW: EVP, Fanatics College, Fanatics

Peter Farnsworth

THEN: SVP, business development, NBA
NOW: CEO/founder, Foxrock Partners

Marc Fein

THEN: EVP, programming, production and business operations, Versus
NOW: Equity partner, Venture Acceleration & Advisory

Greg Genske

THEN: Partner, Legacy Sports Group
NOW: Co-CEO, VaynerSports

Jeffrey Gewirtz

THEN: SVP, Nets Basketball; general counsel, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment 
NOW: EVP, business affairs/chief legal BSE Global

Derrick Heggans

THEN: President, AOL Sports
NOW: Consultant, NextUp Ventures

Charlie Jacobs

THEN: Principal, Delaware North Cos; EVP, Boston Bruins
NOW: Co-CEO, Delaware North; CEO, Boston Bruins

Jerry Jones Jr.

THEN & NOW: EVP, chief sales and marketing officer, Dallas Cowboys

Janeen Lalik

THEN: SVP, new business development, ISP Sports
NOW: EVP, Nashville Predators

Greg Luckman

THEN: President, North America, GroupM Entertainment Sports Partnerships
NOW: Co-president, Range Sports

Mike McCarley

THEN: SVP, marketing, promotion and communications, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics
NOW: Founder/CEO, TMRW Sports

Chris McGuire

THEN: Director, sports marketing, Adidas America
NOW: VP, sports marketing, Adidas North America

David Mingey

THEN: Director, global marketing, Johnson & Johnson
NOW: SVP, head of commercial partnerships, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties

Mary O’Connor

THEN: Director, Olympic marketing, The Marketing Arm
NOW: Executive director, White Rhino Coffee Foundation; chief giving officer, The Parvin Group

Sarah Robb O’Hagan

THEN: CMO, Gatorade
NOW: Founder, Extreme Living; CEO, EXOS

Jon Oram

THEN & NOW: Partner, Proskauer Rose

Rohan Oza

THEN: CMO, hydration division, Glaceau
NOW: Founder, CAVU Venture Partners

James Pitaro

THEN: VP/GM, Yahoo! Sports & Entertainment, Yahoo! Sports
NOW: Chairman, ESPN

David Preschlack*

THEN: EVP, affiliate sales and marketing, ESPN
NOW: CEO, Diamond Sports Group

Michael Principe

THEN: Managing director, BEST
NOW: CEO, GSE Worldwide

Brian Rolapp*

THEN: SVP, digital media and media strategy, NFL
NOW: Chief media and business officer, NFL

Issa Sawabini

THEN & NOW: Partner, Fuse

John Shea

THEN: EVP, consulting, Octagon
NOW: CEO, Octagon

Matt Silverman

THEN: President, Tampa Bay Rays
NOW: Co-President, Tampa Bay Rays

Ryan Steelberg

THEN: President/CEO, Brand Affinity Technologies
NOW: President/CEO, Veritone

Jennifer Storms*

THEN: SVP, marketing and programming, Turner Sports
NOW: CMO, entertainment and sports, NBCUniversal

Shawn Sullivan

THEN & NOW: CMO, Boston Celtics

Keith Wachtel

THEN: SVP, integrated sales and partnership marketing, NHL
NOW: Chief business officer, NHL

Robbie Weiss

THEN: VP, broadcasting, NASCAR Media Group; managing director, international, NASCAR
NOW: Former VP, broadcasting, NASCAR Media Group; managing director, international, NASCAR

Peter Zern

THEN & NOW: Partner, Covington & Burling

Dana Zimmer

THEN: SVP, network distribution and development, Comcast Networks
NOW: President, distribution, Nextstar Media Group

* Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame

■■■■

Memories of Forty Under 40

 

John Shea

Chief Executive Officer, Octagon

Selected to the Forty Under 40 Classes of 2008 and 2009 when he was executive vice president of consulting at Octagon

What do you remember most about being named to Forty Under 40?

Being named to SBJ’s Forty Under 40 class was a great honor, and equally so both times. The recognition was certainly flattering, but was truly rewarding because the nomination came from colleagues and clients. For that reason, I was hugely appreciative as it originated from those whom I worked alongside so closely. Ultimately being selected was unexpected, and not only a proud moment for me, but a fantastic nod to the amazing work and impact Octagon makes each day across the industry.

What memories do you have of the Forty Under 40 awards gala?

In addition to the industry recognition of course, my wife, Laura, and I were able to get away for a couple of nights, which was amazing as the parents of five children under 7 years of age at the time.

Are there any other thoughts/memories that you would like to share?

I appreciate that SBJ continues to help lift our industry and bring our community closer together by recognizing some of the many talented people that make this business great. I’ve been thrilled to watch so many others across Octagon, as well as many clients we work with, be celebrated for their amazing impact and contributions to the industry.