NEW YORK: Ketchum has promoted Ann Wool, partner and director of Ketchum Sports & Entertainment, to president of the unit, which recently expanded by opening an office in London.
Wool, who joined Ketchum as director of the sports network in 2001 and became partner in 2009, is continuing to report to Barri Rafferty, the firm’s CEO for North America. Her former role of director is not expected to be filled at this time, according to an agency representative.
The new Ketchum Sports & Entertainment office in London is serving as the practice’s European hub. The firm brought on Steph Burke to serve as VP and associate director of the group in London, as well as Sean Flynn as account supervisor.
With the recent expansion, Wool is overseeing Sports & Entertainment across Europe, South America, and the US.
Prior to joining Ketchum, Wool spent 10 years at Edelman, where she focused on the sports and sponsorship marketing practice.
In addition to promoting Wool, Ketchum has upped Courtney Nally to SVP and group manager of entertainment. She is reporting to Marcus Peterzell, EVP of entertainment.
Representatives from Ketchum were not immediately available for comment on the promotions.
The Omnicom Group firm’s Sports & Entertainment practice has worked on initiatives at sporting events such as the Summer and Winter Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. The group plans to expand its work at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games and the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
Last year, the practice also carried out a campaign to save wrestling at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
In March 2012, Ketchum expanded its sports and entertainment practice globally for the first time with an office in Brazil. The São Paulo location is led by EVP Vania Ciorlia.
