Sports Marketing Giant IMG Creates Two New C-Level Roles: Chief Business Officer and Chief Client & Operations Officer
Over the past year, globally renowned sports marketing and management company IMG has achieved remarkable results, renewing partnerships with key sports organizations such as the USTA and strongly driving the milestone collaboration between the WTA and Mercedes-Benz.
As its scale and capabilities grow, IMG is introducing a more centralized organizational structure, creating two "C-level" positions that report directly to IMG President Adam Kelly, to better coordinate the company's commercial operations and client relationships.
(1) IMG appoints Barney Francis as the group's first Chief Business Officer
Barney Francis joined IMG in 2021 as Executive Vice President of Studios. In his new role, he will lead IMG's integrated commercial teams across the country, driving business growth and maximizing value for clients.
Previously, he served as Managing Director of UK pay-TV giant Sky Sports for 11 years, and also as CEO of Future Sport + Comcast, a division of US media conglomerate Comcast.
(2) IMG appoints Jackie Stevenson as the group's first Chief Client & Operations Officer
Jackie Stevenson will be responsible for leading global client service delivery and operations, including: rights, studios, brand partnerships, consulting, digital & data, channels, and event management.
She previously served as Global Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at M+C Saatchi, successfully creating and expanding multiple international businesses in marketing, media, sports, and entertainment. She also co-founded The Brooklyn Brothers and grew it into an internationally renowned agency, which was later acquired by IPG, leading her to join IPG as a group executive responsible for driving business growth across multiple markets.
Jackie Stevenson said: "The sports and entertainment industry is undergoing unprecedented rapid change, and clients increasingly need integrated partners who can combine rights, content, technology, data, and commercial expertise."
IMG was founded in 1960 by Mark McCormack. McCormack was the agent for golf stars Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer, and was named "the most influential person in sports over the past 30 years" by Sports Illustrated.
In terms of sports organization partnerships, IMG covers over 250 associations, events, and teams, including:
Wimbledon, Roland Garros, USTA, ATP, WTA, DP World Tour, LPGA, Blue Bay LPGA, NFL, Premier League, MLS, EuroLeague, UFC and WWE, IOC, FIFA, and more.
Above: Some of the events partnered with IMG
In athlete representation, IMG has signed many top athletes, such as Alcaraz, Swiatek, McIlroy, among others. Chinese tennis players Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu's fashion brand collaborations are both represented by IMG.
The global sports star endorsement economy is entering a phase of rapid development. According to the latest report by US market research firm DataIntelo, the global athlete endorsement market is expected to reach $63.4 billion in 2025 and $118.7 billion by 2034, with North America maintaining its lead but the Asia-Pacific region growing the fastest.
| Source: Official press release, China News Service, tennis.com, IMG models official website
| Image source: IMG official website