Chris Caldwell

Experience

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  USAthletes

  Jun 1991 - Jun 1994

  Marketing Director

  • Marketing Leadership: Led marketing initiatives to enhance brand visibility and engagement for USAthletes.

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  University of Florida

  May 1996 - Aug 1997

  Assistant Marketing Director

  • Marketing Strategy: Created and implemented overall marketing strategy for 11 intercollegiate sports, including Football, Men's and Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Gymnastics, Track & Field, and Swimming & Diving.

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  GMR Marketing

  Jun 1997 - Dec 2000

  Director, Sports Marketing

  • Division Creation and Leadership: Launched a new standalone sports marketing division within Omnicom Media Group.• Revenue Growth: Generated over $10MM in new revenue, year over year.• Strategic Development: Developed strategic marketing initiatives to drive client engagement and revenue growth.

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  PepsiCo

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2005

  Senior Manager, Sports Marketing

  • Partnership Negotiation: Negotiated over $100MM in annual sports partnerships.• Portfolio Strategy: Developed and drove sports marketing portfolio strategy for all sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA) in the company's largest region.• Campaign Execution: Designed and implemented advertising campaigns across all platforms (on-site, television) with limited budget and aggressive goals.• Growth Targets: Exceeded growth targets by double digits year-over-year.

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  FOX Sports

  Nov 2005 - Dec 2015

  • Division Creation and Leadership: Hired to create and oversee a new Sports Marketing Partnerships division focused on the acquisition of College Football’s Bowl Championship Series (BCS).• Revenue Achievement: Generated $100MM in new revenue, exceeding forecast by 22%.• Client Portfolio Expansion: Added 12+ new clients across multiple new categories.• Cross-functional Collaboration: Worked with internal and external stakeholders, including ad sales, marketing, brand strategy, production, talent, college sports partners, and third-party networks. Show less

  • Senior Vice President, Business Development

    Jul 2012 - Dec 2015

  • Vice President, Sports Marketing Partnerships

    Nov 2005 - Aug 2012
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  WWE

  Jan 2016 - Feb 2020

  VP and Global Lead, Media Partnerships

  • Division Creation and Leadership: Created and staffed the Global Media Partnership division from scratch, driving top-line revenue growth.• Client Portfolio Expansion: Added 25+ new clients across linear, OTT, and digital platforms.• Revenue Increase: Achieved a 300% increase in annual rights fees with existing (NBCU) and new (FOX Sports) media partners.• Asset Value Enhancement: Increased the value of division assets by 27%.

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  Wavecrasher Media, LLC

  Feb 2020 - Jan 2024

  Consultant / Advisor

  As an independent media and marketing consultant, I offered consulting services to businesses in the Sports and Entertainment industries. My expertise includes creating strategic and targeted marketing platforms and partnerships to help businesses grow their bottom line.• Client Acquisition: Successfully acquired clients such as United Site Services (USS) and UniqFeed.• Strategic Marketing: Developed and executed marketing strategies to help clients achieve their goals, resulting in significant business growth.• Targeted Partnerships: Created strategic and targeted marketing platforms and partnerships to enhance client revenue and market presence. Show less

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  Glory Days Sports Media

  Mar 2020 - now

  Co-Founder and CEO

  As co-founder and CEO of a top-rated digital and social content studio, I specialize in episodic, narrative-driven Sports and Entertainment storytelling. I successfully oversaw all facets of the company, including the development of a business plan, execution of strategy and day to day operations.• Company Creation and Leadership: Hired and managed a team of 7 across 4 locations, overseeing Production, Marketing, Sales, Business Affairs, Communications, and Operations.• Inaugural Offering Success: Achieved 507% weekly and 230% monthly audience growth for 'Glory Days: Dreams and Nightmares.'• Revenue Growth: Secured top-line revenue through a presenting sponsorship with Branch Insurance.• Media Highlights: Featured in Sports Illustrated, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, Paul Finebaum Show, FOX Sports Radio, Sports Business Journal, Yardbarker, Awful Announcing, and Saturdays Down South. Show less

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  University of South Carolina

  Jan 2023 - now

  Director of the Sport, Media and Entertainment Initiative

  • Spearheading Strategic Launch: Lead the Sport, Media, and Entertainment Initiative, developing strategic plans, timelines, and benchmarks in collaboration with Deans.• Business Plan Development: Executing a comprehensive business plan aimed at achieving revenue-positive status within three years, focusing on growth, sustainability, and impact measurement.• Fundraising and Advancement: Creating and implementing a strategic advancement plan, engaging alumni, corporations, and foundations to secure sustainable philanthropic support.• Facility and Resource Management: Partnering with the Graduate School of Business to secure top-tier office spaces and resources, ensuring excellence in graduate programs.• Industry Relations and Opportunities: Expanding student employment and research opportunities by strengthening industry relations with sports, entertainment, and media entities.• Educational Programming: Organizing monthly seminars featuring industry leaders, enhancing the university’s reputation as a thought leader in sports, entertainment, and media sectors. Show less