ESPN Content President Burke Magnus Announces Restructuring; Mike McQuade Named New EVP of Production

ESPN Content President Burke Magnus Announces Restructuring; Mike McQuade Named New EVP of Production Goal is to improve collaboaration, centralize functions, and create better alignment By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 11:02 am

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ESPN Content President Burke Magnus announced a reorganization earlier this week that he says is designed to improve collaboration, centralize functions, create better alignment, and redeploy resources to areas of growth, something he said in a staff memo will further position staff to deliver on ESPN's priorities during rapidly evolving times.

Burke Magnus, ESPN, President of Content, announced a restructuring earlier this week.ESP

With these moves, I believe we will be more strategic, collaborative and nimble, as we continue to excel in every area and function, he said in the memo. We remain committed to employee development, and the restructure will result in new positions or promotions for people who are expanding their responsibilities or taking on new challenges.

Among the moves was the promotion of Mike McQuade, a 37-year veteran of the company, to executive vice president of production. McQuade has been the producer of tennis coverage, the NHL, boxing, golf, and SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt and Magnus pointed to his leadership on covering the arrest of PGA golfer Scottie Scheffler at the U.S. Open earlier this year.

Mike is well known for his storytelling ability across platforms, innovative mindset, attention to detail and his tireless push to deliver results, said Magnus. He is also a leader who takes the time to mentor employees of all levels.

McQuade will have four direct reports: SVP Mark Gross (Event and Studio for NFL, MNF & Super Bowl, CFB, CFP, UFL, UFC, Boxing and Golf), a to be determined SVP (Event and Studio for NBA, WNBA, NHL, College Ice Hockey and Tennis), SVP Meg Aronowitz (Event and Studio for MLB, ACC, SEC, NCAA Women's and Men's Basketball, School Control Rooms, College Baseball, Pro and College Softball, Girls and Boys Little League World Series), and VP Kate Jackson (Wrestling, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Field Hockey, College and Pro Lacrosse, Special Olympics, F1 and special event productions such as the ESPYS).

On the operations side Chris Calcinari will continue his leadership as SVP overseeing the Content Operations group. Overseeing Studio and Remote Operations and taking on oversight of Studio & Event Directing will be VP Scott Favalora's remit and Calcinari's other reports will be VP Francis Legros (Studio Production Operations), Director Carlton Young, Director Dennis Cleary, and Executive Director John LaChance (all Remote Production Operations), Director Antwuan Dance (Crewing & Resources), Director Chris Strong (Production Operations Specialists), Director Dan Lannon (REMI Production Operations) and Director Kimberly Kanner (Production & Business Operations.

With respect to content, Brian Lockhart, SVP, Original Content, will add the award-winning features group to his responsibilities. His direct reports include VP Marsha Cooke (ESPN Films), newly promoted VP Lindsay Rovegno (ESPN Originals), VP Andy Tennant (E60, Content Integration), VP Craig Lazarus (Original Content and Features), VP Heather Anderson (Original Content and Business Affairs), Sr. Director Chantre Camack (Talent Relations), and Sr. Director Kati Fernandez (Original Content Development). Craig's SCEU/CCU responsibilities, led by Julie McGlone, will shift to Mike Foss's org with Julie reporting directly into Mike. VP Jose Morales (Features) will continue to report to Craig.

Other changes include that the Sports News & Entertainment team, led by David Roberts, will better integrate and centralize cross-platform editorial, news and coverage, and includes non-sport specific studio shows (SportsCenter, First Take, Get Up, The Pat McAfee Show, ATH, PTI). Roberts is now EVP, Executive Editor, Sports News & Entertainment and will transition to oversee Sports News and Entertainment. His direct reports will be SVP Maria Soares (leading the newly centralized Sports News and Coverage, including Research and Digital Editorial), SVP Mike Foss (Sports Studio and Entertainment, including SportsCenter), and VP Chris Buckle (Investigative and Enterprise Journalism).

ESPN also is streamlining and centralizing its social and streaming and Kaitee Daley has been promoted to SVP, Digital, Social & Streaming Content. She will now head up a team that includes VP Nicole Pelaez-Dandrea (ESPN Digital Audience Engagement), VP Celia Bouza (Multi-Platform Video), Senior Director Amanda Anderson (Social Operations and Audience Expansion) and Senior Director Brett Edgerton (Social Sports and Partnerships). Omar Raja will continue his talent and social strategist role. Additional roles will be created in the following growth areas: Digital Product Alignment, Direct-To-Consumer, and Social.

There will also be a new department headed up by Freddy Rol n, Head of Global Sports & Talent Office that brings together the ESPN international production team with ESPN Deportes. That department will unite the production, editorial, and business operations teams that are focused on global sports. Magnus says the new department comes at an important time, as starting in the 2025-26 NBA season Disney's international package of NBA and WNBA games will be available to stream on its digital platforms, including on Disney+ in select markets around the world. Rol n also assumes oversight of the Talent Office, a vital function that Magnus said serves the entire organization.

And lastly, on the business side Nick Parsons, VP, Content Business Operations, adds several content-related management operations and planning groups to his team, further ensuring strategic resource m

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/08/27/espn-content-president-burke-ma...
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