ESPN Names Arne Rees as VP, International Digital Media
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Arne Rees has rejoined ESPN International as vice president, international digital media. He will be based in New York City and report to Russell Wolff, executive vice president and managing director, ESPN International.
Rees will be responsible for expanding the digital growth of ESPN around the world, working in close conjunction with the company’s regional offices.
“Digital properties throughout ESPN’s international businesses continue to be a major priority and are key to our future growth,” said Wolff. “Our efforts online, with mobile devices and our vibrant broadband products all have significant momentum, and we will benefit from Arne’s digital, business development, and sports experience moving forward.”
Most recently Rees was vice president, assistant to the president working directly with George Bodenheimer, Executive Chairman of ESPN, Inc and former President of ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports, a position Rees held since 2009. In that role, Rees worked on key decisions related to management and strategic direction and played a significant role in negotiations and developing business relationships between ESPN and major sports leagues.
Rees joined ESPN in 2006 as Vice President, International Development. In that role, he was instrumental in driving the strategic planning and development of the international broadband and wireless business platforms spanning five continents.
Prior to ESPN, Rees spent five years as head of strategy and business development for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in Nyon, Switzerland. He garnered additional experience during stints at UBS Capital as an investment consultant and as the director of business development for I-D Media.
A native of Heide, Germany, Rees hold a law degree from the University of Passau, a master of arts in law and diplomacy from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a masters of business administration from Ecole Nationale Des Ponts et Chausess, in Paris. He is fluent in English and German.
