NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today that Elizabeth Ventura has been named NBA Senior Vice President, Communications, responsible for overseeing all of the league’s U.S. and international communications functions. She will report to NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver.
Ventura, who will begin her new role on May 11, 2009, is currently the Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications for Standard & Poor’s, overseeing the financial research and information firm’s global marketing, communications and public relations activities. With more than 20 years experience, Ventura has long been recognized as an industry leader for her expertise in strategic global communications.
“The NBA Communications function has evolved to include basketball, business, financial and partner communications on a global scale,” said Stern. “All of these now include new and expanding digital components, which are a priority for us. Elizabeth has the skill set and experience to lead us in all of these areas and more.”
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the NBA both on and off the court as the game's popularity continues to grow and the business expands globally and digitally,” said Ventura. “I look forward to working with the talented team of people at the league and making a contribution to the success and growth of one of the world's most dynamic brands.”
Prior to Standard & Poor’s, Ventura was Senior Managing Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, at The Bear Stearns Companies, where she led investor relations, public relations, internal communications, and community relations.
Previously, Ventura was head of Investor Relations for the Zurich Financial Services Group and, for the Zurich Centre Resource, she was managing director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations; and prior to that vice president of Investor Relations, director of Marketing and assistant controller for the group. She is also a CPA and began her career with KPMG Peat Marwick.
Ventura holds a Masters in Management and an M.B.A. from Webster University and received her B.A. in Communications at Loyola University in Chicago.
Brian McIntyre, NBA Senior Vice President, Basketball Communications, and Mike Bass, NBA Senior Vice President, Marketing Communications, will report to Ventura.
(Source: Sportsbusinessnews.com)
