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ShareSIXERS ANNOUNCE STAFF CHANGES
Philadelphia 76ers President Billy King announced today that the Sixers have hired Eric Blankenship as the Vice President of Marketing and Dennis Nelson as the Director of New Media. The Sixers have promoted Larry Meli to Vice President of Customer Service and Box Office Operations, Brad McCleary to Director of Sales, Derek Goldfarb to Senior Corporate Sales Manager, Kevin Fischer to Public Relations Manager, Derrick Hayes to Game Operations Manager, and Shana Booker to Marketing Manager.
Blankenship, originally from Tampa, FL, spent five years working for Global Spectrum, the public assembly facility management subsidiary of Sixers parent company Comcast-Spectacor, where he oversaw all marketing and sales efforts, including brand development, marketing plans, and operating budgets for the Rose Quarter-Rose Garden and Memorial Coliseum, a $262 million sports and entertainment complex in Portland, OR.
With nine years of experience in the sports and entertainment marketing field, Blankenship has also worked as a director of marketing and sales at the Global Spectrum-managed Everett Events Center in Everett, WA, and Sports Marketing Manager for Wachovia Complex in Philadelphia, PA.
In his role with the Sixers, Blankenship will continue to enhance the branding of 76ers basketball through newly created marketing efforts and promotions. In addition, he will oversee the game entertainment and new media departments, and work closely with the Sixers sales department.
Blankenship received his Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from University of South Florida in Tampa, FL., in 1999. He currently resides in Philadelphia with his wife, McKenzie.
Nelson joins the Sixers after spending two years working for Global Spectrum, the public assembly facility management subsidiary of the Sixers parent company Comcast-Spectacor. Prior to joining the Sixers, Nelson served as the Internet/Database Marketing Manager at the Rose Quarter-Rose Garden and Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR. During his time in this position, he increased the Rose Quarter CyberClub active email database to 190,000 recipients in two years and increased online ticket sales by 50% in one year. In addition, he implemented viral marketing and contesting solution to increase the database by 24, 000 people over a one year time period.
Prior to his position at Rose Quarter, Nelson worked with the Portland Trail Blazers from 1999-2003 as their Webmaster. In this role, he was responsible for managing, maintaining and redesigning 18 corporate websites and portals and developed and integrated marketing plans for online contesting, permission marketing, sales and sponsorship.
Nelson assumes the role of Director of New Media for the Philadelphia 76ers. He will oversee the running and maintenance of sixers.com. He will also work with the database marketing department on emails, text messaging, and contesting while looking for new and exciting ways for Sixers fans to electronically interact with the team and each other.
Nelson received his Bachelor of Arts in Technical Journalism with a minor in Business Administration from Oregon State University. He currently resides in Philadelphia with his wife Kristi and son Tyler.
Meli, a 1992 graduate of the University of Richmond with a bachelor of science in business administration and a 1994 graduate of Temple University with a masters degree in sports management, is starting his eleventh year with Comcast-Spectacor and his ninth season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Meli began his time with Comcast-Spectacor in 1996 as season ticket coordinator for the Philadelphia Phantoms. He moved to assistant box office manager for the company in 1997, followed by being named Director of Ticket Operations for the 76ers in 1998 and Senior Director of Ticket Operations in 2003. Now, as Vice President of Customer Service and Box Office Operations, Meli will continue to oversee all facets of the 76ers Box Office and Customer Service departments, including supervision of all 76ers full time customer service and box office staffs. In addition, he is responsible for developing and implementing 76ers customer service policies and renewal programs to ensure customer satisfaction. Meli and his wife Vicki reside in Swedesboro, N.J. with their three children - Luke, Evan and Madelyn.
McCleary, a 2002 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor of arts in advertising and public relations, is starting his sixth season as a member of the 76ers sales department. In 2002 he joined the organization as an account executive, and later moved onto Corporate Sales Manger, Assistant Director of Ticket Sales and now Director of Ticket Sales. He will continue to manage the sales department’s day-to-day operations while emphasizing the concepts of training, coach and selling with the Sixers Sales staff. McCleary resides in Erdenheim, Pa. with wife Alissa.
Goldfarb, a 2003 graduate of the University of Delaware with a bachelor of arts and sciences in Sociology and Economics, is starting his fifth season as a member of the 76ers sales department. In 2003 he joined the organization as an account executive and was promoted to Corporate Sales Manager in May of 2004. He will now assume the role of Senior Corporate Sales Manager where he is responsible for developing and enhancing the annual sales campaigns for season, group and mini-plan customers. As senior manager, Goldfarb will also monitor, train and motivate account executives to help reach their seasonal goals while continuing to generate new business through networking with local businesses and through existing clients. Goldfarb is single and resides in Roxborough, Pa.
Fischer joined the 76ers communications department in April 2003. Prior to joining the 76ers, Fischer was the assistant sports information director at Seton Hall University and held internships in the Virginia Tech and Villanova athletic departments. In his expanded role, Fischer will continue to serve a liaison with the NBA, as well as national and local media on behalf of the organization, will manage the Sixers media operations on game nights and continue as editor for the team's media guide publications. He attended Villanova University where he majored in communications. He is single and resides in Philadelphia.
Hayes, a South Jersey native enters his seventh season in the Game Operations department with the 76ers. After being promoted from Game Operations Coordinator to Game Operations Manager, Hayes will continue to manage the various elements associated with the game presentation such as the Sixers Dancers, Sixers Mascot Hip-Hop and the Hare Raisers, in-game hosts, and the public address announcer. He is also responsible for booking performers for the national anthem and halftime acts, as well as implementing the in-game contests. Hayes attended Burlington County College, where he studied business administration. Hayes resides in Burlington Twp, NJ with wife Tierra and sons Jalen and Tatum.
Booker, a native of Philadelphia and 2003 graduate of Philadelphia University with a bachelor of science in marketing, is starting her fifth season as a member of the 76ers marketing department. In 2003 she joined the organization as marketing assistant. After two seasons as the team's marketing coordinator she’s been promoted to manager and will continue to assist with the day-to-day operations of the front office, special promotions, and the team’s overall marketing effort. A former 76ers game operations intern, Booker is a product of the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts. She will continue serving as the 76ers liaison with the NBA concerning all sponsored-related elements and will continue to grow the 76ers Alumni Program. Booker is single and resides in Philadelphia.
Blankenship, originally from Tampa, FL, spent five years working for Global Spectrum, the public assembly facility management subsidiary of Sixers parent company Comcast-Spectacor, where he oversaw all marketing and sales efforts, including brand development, marketing plans, and operating budgets for the Rose Quarter-Rose Garden and Memorial Coliseum, a $262 million sports and entertainment complex in Portland, OR.
With nine years of experience in the sports and entertainment marketing field, Blankenship has also worked as a director of marketing and sales at the Global Spectrum-managed Everett Events Center in Everett, WA, and Sports Marketing Manager for Wachovia Complex in Philadelphia, PA.
In his role with the Sixers, Blankenship will continue to enhance the branding of 76ers basketball through newly created marketing efforts and promotions. In addition, he will oversee the game entertainment and new media departments, and work closely with the Sixers sales department.
Blankenship received his Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from University of South Florida in Tampa, FL., in 1999. He currently resides in Philadelphia with his wife, McKenzie.
Nelson joins the Sixers after spending two years working for Global Spectrum, the public assembly facility management subsidiary of the Sixers parent company Comcast-Spectacor. Prior to joining the Sixers, Nelson served as the Internet/Database Marketing Manager at the Rose Quarter-Rose Garden and Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR. During his time in this position, he increased the Rose Quarter CyberClub active email database to 190,000 recipients in two years and increased online ticket sales by 50% in one year. In addition, he implemented viral marketing and contesting solution to increase the database by 24, 000 people over a one year time period.
Prior to his position at Rose Quarter, Nelson worked with the Portland Trail Blazers from 1999-2003 as their Webmaster. In this role, he was responsible for managing, maintaining and redesigning 18 corporate websites and portals and developed and integrated marketing plans for online contesting, permission marketing, sales and sponsorship.
Nelson assumes the role of Director of New Media for the Philadelphia 76ers. He will oversee the running and maintenance of sixers.com. He will also work with the database marketing department on emails, text messaging, and contesting while looking for new and exciting ways for Sixers fans to electronically interact with the team and each other.
Nelson received his Bachelor of Arts in Technical Journalism with a minor in Business Administration from Oregon State University. He currently resides in Philadelphia with his wife Kristi and son Tyler.
Meli, a 1992 graduate of the University of Richmond with a bachelor of science in business administration and a 1994 graduate of Temple University with a masters degree in sports management, is starting his eleventh year with Comcast-Spectacor and his ninth season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Meli began his time with Comcast-Spectacor in 1996 as season ticket coordinator for the Philadelphia Phantoms. He moved to assistant box office manager for the company in 1997, followed by being named Director of Ticket Operations for the 76ers in 1998 and Senior Director of Ticket Operations in 2003. Now, as Vice President of Customer Service and Box Office Operations, Meli will continue to oversee all facets of the 76ers Box Office and Customer Service departments, including supervision of all 76ers full time customer service and box office staffs. In addition, he is responsible for developing and implementing 76ers customer service policies and renewal programs to ensure customer satisfaction. Meli and his wife Vicki reside in Swedesboro, N.J. with their three children - Luke, Evan and Madelyn.
McCleary, a 2002 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor of arts in advertising and public relations, is starting his sixth season as a member of the 76ers sales department. In 2002 he joined the organization as an account executive, and later moved onto Corporate Sales Manger, Assistant Director of Ticket Sales and now Director of Ticket Sales. He will continue to manage the sales department’s day-to-day operations while emphasizing the concepts of training, coach and selling with the Sixers Sales staff. McCleary resides in Erdenheim, Pa. with wife Alissa.
Goldfarb, a 2003 graduate of the University of Delaware with a bachelor of arts and sciences in Sociology and Economics, is starting his fifth season as a member of the 76ers sales department. In 2003 he joined the organization as an account executive and was promoted to Corporate Sales Manager in May of 2004. He will now assume the role of Senior Corporate Sales Manager where he is responsible for developing and enhancing the annual sales campaigns for season, group and mini-plan customers. As senior manager, Goldfarb will also monitor, train and motivate account executives to help reach their seasonal goals while continuing to generate new business through networking with local businesses and through existing clients. Goldfarb is single and resides in Roxborough, Pa.
Fischer joined the 76ers communications department in April 2003. Prior to joining the 76ers, Fischer was the assistant sports information director at Seton Hall University and held internships in the Virginia Tech and Villanova athletic departments. In his expanded role, Fischer will continue to serve a liaison with the NBA, as well as national and local media on behalf of the organization, will manage the Sixers media operations on game nights and continue as editor for the team's media guide publications. He attended Villanova University where he majored in communications. He is single and resides in Philadelphia.
Hayes, a South Jersey native enters his seventh season in the Game Operations department with the 76ers. After being promoted from Game Operations Coordinator to Game Operations Manager, Hayes will continue to manage the various elements associated with the game presentation such as the Sixers Dancers, Sixers Mascot Hip-Hop and the Hare Raisers, in-game hosts, and the public address announcer. He is also responsible for booking performers for the national anthem and halftime acts, as well as implementing the in-game contests. Hayes attended Burlington County College, where he studied business administration. Hayes resides in Burlington Twp, NJ with wife Tierra and sons Jalen and Tatum.
Booker, a native of Philadelphia and 2003 graduate of Philadelphia University with a bachelor of science in marketing, is starting her fifth season as a member of the 76ers marketing department. In 2003 she joined the organization as marketing assistant. After two seasons as the team's marketing coordinator she’s been promoted to manager and will continue to assist with the day-to-day operations of the front office, special promotions, and the team’s overall marketing effort. A former 76ers game operations intern, Booker is a product of the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts. She will continue serving as the 76ers liaison with the NBA concerning all sponsored-related elements and will continue to grow the 76ers Alumni Program. Booker is single and resides in Philadelphia.
