Luis Martinez has been named general manager of NFL Brazil as the American football league prepares for its first-ever game in the country this week.
In the newly created role, Martinez (pictured) will be responsible for leading the NFL’s business and expansion across Brazil, reporting to Gerrit Meier, managing director of NFL International.
The NFL also intends to open an office in São Paulo under Martinez’s leadership. Martinez has worked for the league’s Mexico office leading its marketing and sales efforts, and he has previously held marketing roles for toy company Hasbro in Chile, Peru and Mexico.
The Green Bay Packers will take on the Philadelphia Eagles at São Paulo’s 49,000-capacity Neo Química Arena, home of football club Corinthians, on Friday night. It will mark the NFL’s first ever visit to South America.
Meier said: “We’ll be thrilled to have Luis lead our international growth efforts in Brazil. With the third largest NFL fandom outside of the US and Mexico, and as we approach our first game in São Paulo, this leadership position will play a critical role in our success in-market by establishing a permanent footprint for the NFL to engage new and existing fans year-round. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead for the NFL in Brazil.”
Sports marketing agency Two Circles has expanded into Germany with a new team that will be led by Lars Stegelmann.
Stegelmann will be supported in the new Cologne-based office by strategy consultants and data specialists Sebastian Kurczynski and Dr. Jan Dreisbach. Further support will be provided by Kristian Gotsch, managing director EMEA at Two Circles, and Bettina Baer, client service director.
Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as independent chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Shah has served as honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019 and chair of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021. He will assume his role as ICC chair on December 1.
Shah was the sole nominee for the ICC chairmanship after current chair Greg Barclay decided not to seek a third term.
Seat Unique has assembled a board of advisors in the form of Alastair Lukies CBE, Dame Alison Rose, Sir Michael Lockett, Tim Griffin and Damien O’Donohoe, complementing the experience of existing board members, chairperson Richard Flint and Saav Shah of Nickleby Capital.
It follows the news that Seat Unique has secured £14.5m (€17m/$19m) in Series A funding.
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