ESPN Pegs Kevin Martinez to Head Corporate Outreach Efforts

Kevin Martinez has joined ESPN as senior director, corporate outreach.  He will be responsible for ESPN’s global volunteerism efforts and cause-marketing projects, and will also serve on the corporate giving committee.  Based at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, CT Martinez will report to Rosa Gatti, ESPN SVP, communications counsel and corporate outreach.

“I’m thrilled Kevin is joining the ESPN team with his extensive leadership experience in corporate outreach programs for major brands,” says Gatti.  “His strategic plans have led to great results and numerous awards. I look forward to working with Kevin on ESPN’s many outreach initiatives.”
Martinez has 18 years of experience developing corporate community affairs programs for Fortune 100 companies. He joins ESPN from KPMG in New York where he had served as executive director, corporate social responsibility (CSR), since 2008. Previously, Martinez worked at The Home Depot Co. in Atlanta from 2004 – 2007, ultimately being promoted to President, The Home Depot Foundation. He also worked in the community affairs department at the Starbucks Coffee Co., the Eddie Bauer Co., the King County (Wash.) Executive’s Office, the Seattle Aquarium Society, and the Seattle organizing committee of the 1990 Goodwill Games.

Martinez and his team had received numerous awards including The Cause Marketing Forum’s highest award “The Halo Award” twice; the US Chamber’s Award for Corporate Citizenship; and the 2006 Large Corporation of the Year Award from the Corporation for National Community Service and Points of Light Institute in recognition of The Home Depot’s disaster relief and rebuilding efforts.

A native of Hawaii, Martinez was graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of arts in communication and advertising.  He sits on the boards of the 9-11 Flag and The Association of Corporate Contribution Professionals, and is a member of the Ethics and Compliance Committee for USA Gymnastics.