Media and publishing
10 ESPN marketing leaders
These ten current and former ESPN marketing leaders have held marketing roles at ESPN, across brand, sports and league marketing, creative, media planning, subscriber and product marketing, and espnW. A reader can learn how marketing leaders work at ESPN from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Brian Iglesias
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Sports Marketing · ESPN
Vice President, Sports Marketing at ESPN since September 2024, a role the profile describes as leading several sports marketing teams which include International Marketing, Deportes and US Hispanic Marketing, NHL, UFC, Soccer, Golf, Boxing, Lacrosse, and Cricket. The profile also lists Senior Director Of Marketing Operations at ESPN (2018–2024) and Director, Content Acquisition & Partner Manager, Sports Lead at Verizon (2016–2018).
Curtis Friends
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Sports Marketing · ESPN
Senior Director, Sports Marketing at ESPN since February 2020; the profile says Curtis developed a team to grow and promote Football on ESPN (NFL and College Football). The profile also lists Director, Sports Marketing (2018–2020) and Director, Sports Marketing and Brand Strategy (2017–2018) at ESPN, and Brand Manager - Wella Professionals at Procter & Gamble (2016).
Emeka Ofodile
LinkedInExperience: Former Vice President of Sports Marketing · ESPN
Former Vice President of Sports Marketing at ESPN (2017–2023), a role the profile describes as steering global brand and creative strategies for ESPN's entire live sports portfolio, including NFL, NBA, College Football, UFC, MLB, NHL, Formula One, Golf, Soccer, College Sports and Networks. The profile also lists Senior Director of Marketing at ESPN (2012–2017) and Global Head of Sports Marketing at Apple since June 2023.
Inna Kern
LinkedInExperience: VP, Media Strategy and Planning · ESPN
VP, Media Strategy and Planning at ESPN since July 2017, a role the profile describes as leading an in-house media planning and activation team developing data-driven marketing campaigns. The profile also lists Senior Director, Integrated Marketing at Johnson & Johnson (2015–2017), VP Global Marketing at BabyCenter (2011–2014) and Senior Vice President, Marketing at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (2010).
Lauren Bork Alicata
LinkedInExperience: VP, Product Marketing & Subscriber Strategy · ESPN
VP, Product Marketing & Subscriber Strategy at ESPN since May 2024, a role the profile tags at vice president level in Marketing, and former Director, Sports Marketing at ESPN (2013–2015). The profile also lists VP, Platform Acquisition & Fan Engagement at Disney Streaming since 2019 and VP, New Media Marketing & Sales Integration at Marvel Entertainment (2017–2019).
Liz Buhn
LinkedInExperience: Former Director, Brand & Partner Marketing · ESPN
Former Director, Brand & Partner Marketing at ESPN (2013–2017), a role the profile describes as leading strategic marketing initiatives across a sports and media portfolio, partnering with distributors, leagues, and major events. The profile also lists Senior Vice President Marketing at Tennis Channel (2025–2026) and Vice President, Platform & Content Marketing at VIZIO (2020–2024).
Rachel Epstein
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Sports Marketing · ESPN
Vice President, Sports Marketing at ESPN since August 2022, and former Senior Director, ESPN and espnW Marketing (2018–2022) and Director, espnW (2012–2018) at ESPN; the profile describes leading the espnW brand and business, including marketing. The profile also lists Chief Marketing Officer at National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) since April 2026.
Rob Temple
LinkedInExperience: Former Senior Vice President, ESPN Sports Marketing · ESPN
Former Senior Vice President, ESPN Sports Marketing at ESPN (2014–2018) and former Senior Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN (2018–2021). The profile also lists Vice President (2006–2014) and Senior Director, ESPN Sports Management Group (2002–2006) at ESPN, and Chief Executive Officer at PivotalSE since 2021.
Seth Ader
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Brand Marketing · ESPN
Vice President, Brand Marketing at ESPN since January 2001, a role the profile tags at vice president level in Marketing. The profile also lists Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations at BOOK4GOLF COM CORP (1999–2000), Director of Marketing & Tour Relations at Tommy Armour Golf, Inc. (1997–1998) and Corporate Marketing Manager at Brooklyn Nets (1994–1996).
Tina Thornton
LinkedInExperience: EVP, Creative Studio and Marketing · ESPN
EVP, Creative Studio and Marketing at ESPN since June 2023, based in Bristol, Connecticut. The profile also lists Head of Content Operations & Creative Surround (2020–2023), SVP, Production & Office of the President (2018–2020) and SVP, Production, Multimedia Sponsorship Integration & Management Operations (2015–2018) at ESPN.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person to the marketing work behind your question, since brand campaigns, league and event marketing, and streaming subscriber marketing each have different goals and partners. Check whether the relevant role is current or past before asking how things work at ESPN today.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you market a portfolio of live sports properties that each have their own fans and partners?
- 02What changes in marketing when a sports network adds a direct-to-consumer subscription?
- 03How do in-house creative and media planning teams work with sports marketing teams?
Reaching ESPN marketing leaders
How can I contact one of these ESPN marketing leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: ESPN, based on profile data retrieved on October 13, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach ESPN marketing leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these ESPN marketing leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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