CFL ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
League to dedicate new resources to major push on ticketing and analytics.
“Putting fans in seats – and in concourses or other social areas as fans’ tastes evolve – is a top priority for our league,” said Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner of the CFL.
“Truly understanding what works and doesn’t work, based not on instinct but on real metrics measured in real time, must be the foundation of any business in this digital age.”
Ambrosie said the league is beginning the recruiting process for new talent dedicated to Data Analytics and Ticket Sales Management.
He also announced a new structure for the league office designed to position it for success.
“The CFL exists on two equally vital platforms: football and business. Football is our product, the core of all that we do. Business is our purpose, the thing that drives us,” Ambrosie said.
“We owe it to our governors, our teams, our partners and especially our fans to strive to reach new heights on both platforms.”
A new Senior Leadership Team for Football, reporting directly to Ambrosie, will now include: Kevin McDonald, the Vice-President, Football Operations and Player Safety; Ryan Janzen, who is promoted to Senior Director, Football Operations: and Darren Hackwood, who is promoted to Senior Director, Officiating.
With a combined experience of almost 40 years in the CFL, the trio will work with the rest of league’s football operations staff and the league’s coaches, general managers and players.
The Senior Leadership Team for Business will include Greg Dick, Christina Litz, Matt Maychak, Tyler Mazereeuw and Susan Jones Bouk.
Dick becomes the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Finance Officer whose responsibilities include Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Security and administration of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. The new Data Analytics function will report to him.
Litz becomes Chief Marketing, Digital and Strategy Officer, a title which recognizes her leading and expansive role within the organization. To ensure a strong link between football and business, the Senior Leadership Team for Football will meet regularly in a forum chaired by Litz. Promotions within her department include Vanessa Morbi to Vice-President, Marketing and Digital; Kelly Shouldice to Vice President, Content; and Sully Syed to Senior Director, Technology.
Céline Séguin, promoted to Senior Director Events and General Manager Grey Cup, will oversee newly combined Grey Cup and Events functions and report directly to the Commissioner.
Maychak becomes Chief Communications Officer responsible for media relations, public affairs, government relations and issues management.
Mazereeuw becomes Chief Revenue officer and adds the Ticketing Sales Management function to his key role as the league lead on corporate partnerships. Owen Welsh is promoted to Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships.
Jones Bouk, a consultant to the league on People and Talent matters, is a trusted advisor to the Commissioner and a resource to the entire league office.
Ambrosie also congratulated Glen Johnson whose retirement as the Senior Vice-President, Football was announced earlier this afternoon.
“Glen steps away after a 28-year-association with the CFL that put him on the field officiating 11 Grey Cup games and in our boardroom as we fashioned the future of our business,” Ambrosie said. “I am glad he has agreed to consult with our league as needed and we all wish him well.”