ESPN reorganizes content division

To maximize the potential of ESPN’s multi-platform leadership, the company has reorganized its content division, it was announced today by John Skipper , ESPN executive vice president, content. Under the new structure, Skipper’s direct reports will be: Norby Williamson , ESPN executive vice president, production; John Wildhack , ESPN executive vice president, program acquisitions & strategy; David Berson , ESPN executive vice president, program planning & strategy; John Walsh , ESPN executive vice president & executive editor; Keith Clinkscales , ESPN senior vice president, content development & enterprises; Marie Donoghue , ESPN senior vice president, business affairs & business development; and John Kosner , ESPN senior vice president & GM, digital media.

“Our success will clearly be enhanced by presenting quality content across all of our company’s assets,” Skipper said. “This management structure supports the multi-platform strategy that’s ingrained in our culture and recognizes the benefits of streamlining specific functions under a team of talented individuals.”

Williamson will oversee all content presentation on the company’s TV and radio networks, as well as integrate and enhance content on ESPN’s digital outlets.

Wildhack will manage rights acquisitions across all entities and the company’s relationships with rightsholders.

Berson will direct the planning and scheduling of ESPN content across TV and digital platforms.

Walsh will continue as the company’s most senior editorial executive, guiding overall content and editorial decision-making.

Donoghue will assume responsibility for the stewardship of all business agreements in the Content division, partnering with programming, legal and finance on negotiating and structuring deals.

Kosner will lead the operations of ESPN’s digital platforms, including online and mobile efforts.

Clinkscales will run ESPN’s new developmental unit, in addition to his publishing and magazine responsibilities.

The reorganization also includes the creation of a development unit, a centralized talent/administration area, a content-wide newsgathering operation and a new structure within the company’s digital media efforts.

Creation of New Development Department

A new department in the company has been created to cultivate new content across the many ESPN platforms. Keith Clinkscales has been named senior vice president, content development & enterprises. The move signifies an expansion of ESPN Original Entertainment into a multi-platform (TV, Internet, print, wireless, broadband and radio) creative content developer. Clinkscales will continue to oversee ESPN Publishing and ESPN The Magazine.

New Editor in Chief for ESPN.com

Rob King has been named Editor In Chief of ESPN.com, responsible for supervision of all content and the overall editorial direction for the leading online sports destination and its related properties. He will also oversee the management of the award-winning team of more than 200 editors, writers, designers and producers across ESPN.com and its network of related sites. King has handled a wide variety of ESPN studio production assignments as senior coordinating producer since 2004.

In addition, John Zehr has been promoted to senior vice president, digital media production, responsible for all video programming across digital media outlets including oversight of ESPN’s mobile content applications. Zehr was previously ESPN senior vice president, digital video & mobile products.

King and Zehr will report to Kosner , who expands his responsibilities to all aspects of ESPN’s digital media properties, including Internet and mobile efforts.

Centralized Talent and News Operations

Long-time ESPN executive Steve Anderson has been named executive vice president, news, talent & content operations, a new position that centralizes ESPN’s talent and news efforts. Anderson, who most recently served as executive vice president, production and technical operations, will now manage both the newly created office of talent development (position yet to be filled), which will merge all commentator-related functions such as recruiting, negotiating and coaching, and Vince Doria , who as senior vice president & director of news, will unify ESPN’s newsgathering efforts across the company’s different production areas – studio, remote, radio and international.

Anderson will report to Williamson.

Creation of New Development Department

A new department in the company has been created to cultivate new content across the many ESPN platforms. Keith Clinkscales has been named senior vice president, content development & enterprises. The move signifies an expansion of ESPN Original Entertainment into a multi-platform (TV, Internet, print, wireless, broadband and radio) creative content developer. Clinkscales will continue to oversee ESPN Publishing and ESPN The Magazine.

New Editor in Chief for ESPN.com

Rob King has been named Editor In Chief of ESPN.com, responsible for supervision of all content and the overall editorial direction for the leading online sports destination and its related properties. He will also oversee the management of the award-winning team of more than 200 editors, writers, designers and producers across ESPN.com and its network of related sites. King has handled a wide variety of ESPN studio production assignments as senior coordinating producer since 2004.

In addition, John Zehr has been promoted to senior vice president, digital media production, responsible for all video programming across digital media outlets including oversight of ESPN’s mobile content applications. Zehr was previously ESPN senior vice president, digital video & mobile products.

King and Zehr will report to Kosner , who expands his responsibilities to all aspects of ESPN’s digital media properties, including Internet and mobile efforts.

Centralized Talent and News Operations

Long-time ESPN executive Steve Anderson has been named executive vice president, news, talent & content operations, a new position that centralizes ESPN’s talent and news efforts. Anderson, who most recently served as executive vice president, production and technical operations, will now manage both the newly created office of talent development (position yet to be filled), which will merge all commentator-related functions such as recruiting, negotiating and coaching, and Vince Doria , who as senior vice president & director of news, will unify ESPN’s newsgathering efforts across the company’s different production areas – studio, remote, radio and international.

Anderson will report to Williamson.