Withers leaves ESPN new media post to take newly created USGA position, reporting to Chief Business Officer Pete Bevacqua
Far Hills, N.J. (August 20, 2007) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has named Alex Withers as the organization’s director of new media, a newly created position making Withers responsible for the overall online and new media efforts of the USGA, with the goal of maximizing online advertising, partnerships, e- commerce initiatives, and industry events to drive revenue and improve the USGA’s core functions.
Having most recently held the position of marketing director for ESPN New Media, Withers brings to the USGA over ten years of marketing and product development experience across a range of global brands. While at ESPN New Media, he managed the marketing strategy and brand positioning for both ESPN.com and ESPN360.com, which included the launch of the myESPN personalization tool as well as the sites’ networking platforms. Prior to his work with ESPN, Withers oversaw marketing, digital, and branding initiatives for the Financial Times and Pepsi Cola. He earned his bachelor of science honors degree in business administration from Britain’s Cardiff University.
Withers’ expertise will first and foremost position the USGA to better identify and capitalize on a range of interactive digital and online capabilities that will ultimately raise awareness of the organization, as well as communicate the USGA’s numerous initiatives and goals.
"As an avid golfer, I’m looking forward to putting the USGA front and center among the next generation of golfers via the online platform," said Withers. "This is an exciting time for the USGA, as we are tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the history and tradition of golf, whilst helping the sport come of age in a digital world."
"Alex is a perfect fit for the USGA and the ideal person to bring our digital vision to life," said Peter Bevacqua, USGA chief business officer. "A key growth driver and top priority for the USGA is to make our organization relevant and appealing to a younger generation of digitally savvy golfers. We’re looking forward to connecting with them online and, in doing so, making it possible for our members to connect with each other and the great game of golf."
This announcement by the USGA comes on the heels of the organization’s appointment of Bevacqua as the USGA’s first-ever chief business officer, responsible for overseeing all revenue-producing activities conducted by the USGA and to whom Withers will report. Bevacqua – a member of the USGA since he was 13 years old – previously provided in-house counsel for the organization and has held the position of managing director of U.S. Open Championships. Formerly of the New York law firm of Davis, Polk & Wardwell, Bevacqua graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 1993, and earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1997.
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the game’s golfers and golf courses.
The Association’s most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, maintains an official Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $53 million over 10 years to programs that seek to grow the game. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
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