Pac-12 Networks Hires New Senior Leaders in Distribution, Communications

Entering its fifth year as an integrated media company, Pac-12 Networks announced the hiring of veteran distribution executive Alden Mitchell Budill and strategic communications expert Wesley Mallette and the promotions of Ned Watkins, Ryan Currier, and Mark Kramer.

“Thanks to the amazing athletic achievements of the ‘Conference of Champions’ and our talented staff, we’ve been able to build Pac-12 Networks into a valuable media organization benefitting our member universities,” says Pac-12 Networks President Lydia Murphy-Stephans. “I am confident that the additions of Alden and Wes and the internal promotions we are announcing position Pac-12 Networks to be even more successful and strategic in today’s dynamic media marketplace.”

Budill joins as the Head of Distribution and will be responsible for overseeing the worldwide distribution of all Pac-12 Networks content across all platforms. As part of her role, she will manage the Affiliate Sales and Affiliate Marketing departments. Prior to joining Pac-12 Networks, Budill was the Vice President of Distribution Strategy at Discovery Communications and the Oprah Winfrey Network.  Over the years, she has served in senior strategy roles at the Shine Group, Discovery Networks International and MTV Networks. She received a BA in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

“I am thrilled and energized to join Pac-12 Networks,” says Budill. “I look forward to working closely with the team and our partners to position the networks for continued growth.”

Mallette joins as the Vice President of Communications and will be responsible for all internal and external communications. Prior to joining Pac-12 Networks, he served as the Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to his campus leadership, Mallette has a proven track record in corporate, sports and entertainment public relations. His roles have included reputation management and brand building work at public relations and marketing agencies, as well as communications roles at MTV Networks and Black Entertainment Television (BET). Mallette received a BA in Communications from James Madison University where he was a football and track student-athlete. He also received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.

“It is an honor to join Pac-12 Networks as Vice President of Communications,” says Mallette. “I look forward to working with the talented staff at the network and the athletics departments of our member universities.”

In addition to the new hires, Pac-12 Networks announced the promotions of Ned Watkins to Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Sales, and Ryan Currier and Mark Kramer to Vice Presidents and co-heads of the Digital department. Watkins plays a leadership role on a sales and sponsorship team that continues to grow revenue across Pac-12 Networks’ linear and digital properties.

As co-heads of Pac-12 Networks’ digital team, Currier and Kramer lead all product and technology work across all Pac-12 Networks platforms, including Pac-12.com, Pac-12 Now (Television Everywhere), and the 12 official athletic sites of the Pac-12 universities. In addition, they are spearheading important new digital initiatives around fan engagement and e-sports, among others.