Nielsen Sports Names Team as Smith Prepares to Leave

In the US, Nielsen Sports has appointed former Repucom execs Danny Townsend and Glenn Lovett as Co-Managing Directors, following its acquisition of the business earlier in the year. In addition, Repucom founder Paul Smith has announced he will leave the business at the end of the year.

Nielsen Sportsprovides data-led solutions and commercial advice to more than 1700 clients worldwide, and is currently adding services across a wide range of areas including sponsorship, media rights, fan development and engagement, brand activation and digital and social media strategy. Townsend and Lovett joined in June, following Nielsen's acquisition of sports measurement and intelligence provider Repucom, which was founded by Smith in 2004. Townsend had worked for Repucom for the prior ten years, and latterly served as its Global Chief Revenue Officer; while Lovett joined Repucom in 2013 as President - Global Strategy & Consulting.

The pair now report to Howard Appelbaum, President of Nielsen's Global Sports and Entertainment practice, who comments: 'Danny and Glenn's impeccable commitment and leadership will help grow the global footprint of this exciting business. Under their leadership and driven by Nielsen's vast measurement capabilities, our team of subject matter experts will empower clients to make smarter and better business decisions and will take sports intelligence to the next level'.

Nielsen Sports now comprises: Stephen Master, Guy Port and Marco Nazzari as Head of Commercial for the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe respectively; Mike Wragg as Global Head of Research; Alexandre Callay as Global Head of Media; Max Barnett as Global Head of Digital; Michael O'Hara Lynch, responsible for leading the Consulting practice across the Americas, while also overseeing the global Brand and Sponsorship Consulting business; Spencer Nolan and Jan Lehmann, leading the Consulting teams across Europe; and Claude Ringuet leading and expanding the Consulting division across Asia. In addition, Repucom's former Global Head of Media Products Michael Tang will take on the newly created position of Global Head of Strategy and Solutions across the wider Entertainment division; the North American business will be led by Peter Laatz, who continues in his role as Market Leader for the region; and Shane Mattiske will now be the sole MD leading the Australian and New Zealand business.

Web site: www.nielsen.com .