Danny K Photography
A Chicago native, Kristen Herlihy got her start in the sports industry at a small athletic training facility where some Chicago Bears players worked out, making “hype videos” for the gym to post on YouTube.
Now, as head of digital and branded content at Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, she is generating and overseeing millions of dollars in revenue alongside major brand partners.
Responsible for deals between Omaha Productions and more than 20 brands, this year Herlihy played a key role in launching the Omaha Audio Network in partnership with ESPN and Caesars Sportsbook. That network has expanded to 15 original audio shows, including the popular series “Kyle Brandt’s Basement,” featuring NFL analyst Kyle Brandt.
Herlihy began her career at ESPN, where she created the original series “Tell Me a Story, SVP,” which helped promote “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.” When she headed to Fox Sports, Herlihy added “Watch Party” to Fox’s digital content portfolio, and led the creation of the Emmy-nominated branded content partnership with Dos Equis for “The Ultimate College Football Road Trip.”
At Omaha, Herlihy’s engagement strategies helped drive the success of the “ManningCast,” and won an Emmy in 2021 for Outstanding Live Production, in addition to her 2018 Emmy with Fox Sports for Outstanding Social TV Experience.
“The nature of the industry is changing very quickly — it can be challenging to keep up with sometimes. Younger and fresher voices keep the industry exciting and keep all of us on our toes. Give your younger talent an opportunity to make an impact, they will absolutely use it to push your team forward,” Herlihy said. — Mollie Cahillane
Kristen Herlihy
Head of Marketing, Omaha Productions
Age: 32
Born: Chicago
Education: Boston College, B.A.,communications
Family: Spouse: Sean; child, Finn (2 months)
Advice to my 20-year-old self: Stop worrying so much about failing (evergreen advice … even to my current self!).
What my friends/family think I do all day: Talk very loudly on Zooms and make decks. They’re not entirely wrong.
How I deal with stress in the workplace: I’ve found it helpful to get out of my own head by literally, physically taking myself outside for a walk or run. Oftentimes with my husky, who is named after Kemba Walker.
Cause supported: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
First social media platform I signed up for: Myspace. That’s how you know this is Forty Under 40 and not 30 under 30.
Social media platform I use/follow most today: TikTok, and there’s not a close second.
Person in sports business I’d most like to meet: Ernie Johnson. His career is the stuff of legacy.
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