Experience Marketing Agency George P. Johnson Announces Hiring of Jenn Houston as Executive Director, Sports Activation
July 09 2024 - 9:08AM
George P. Johnson (GPJ), the world’s leading strategic experience
marketing agency and a member of Project, an employee-owned
alliance of creative agencies, announces the hiring of an Executive
Director of Sports Activations to lead its sports practice and
address the growing desire of brands wanting to dive into the
dynamic world of experiential sports marketing.
With over two decades of experience, Jenn Houston is an expert
in brand building, business development, and integrated
communication strategy. She has collaborated with top global brands
in the US, Canada, and Europe. Houston founded and successfully
sold her own agency, showcasing her strategic vision. Fueled by a
passion for redefining sports marketing, she relentlessly pursues
creative excellence and innovation. Her dedication to collaborating
with fellow enthusiasts propels her mission to devise
groundbreaking marketing strategies that revolutionize the sports
industry.
Throughout its 110-year history, GPJ has supported dynamic
events for the world's most influential companies, excelling in
bringing brands' stories to life and engaging audiences. Their
expertise spans a wide range of events, including harnessing sports
marketing partnerships to unlock powerful, memorable experiences.
Along with being behind some of the most dynamic events in the
world, GPJ is also known for its long-term client partnerships.
Clients include Stellantis/Jeep - 87 years (1937), Honda - 47 years
(1977), IBM - 26 years (1998), Salesforce.com - 16 years (2008) and
many more. GPJ recently wrapped up Cisco Live US ‘24 in Las Vegas
and the 2024 Pokémon Championship Series in New Orleans and are now
gearing up for the Pokémon World Championships in Honolulu and
Alibaba at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Houston will oversee the evolution of GPJ’s sports-related work
with existing clients including Acura, IBM, DP World, Cisco and
more. She will also be the key driver of the agency’s expansion
into what is a growing segment based on existing client interest
and the increasing velocity of new business inquiries. Finally,
Jenn will be an integral part of the Project Sports, Gaming and
Entertainment Collective, a collaboration among Project’s 15
creative agencies who together partner on some of the most iconic
brands including DICK’s Sporting Goods, NFL, NBA, Google, AT&T
and many more. Project agency capabilities include advertising,
branding, e-commerce, event execution, public relations, social
media, paid media, influencers and much more.
"Stepping into the role of Head of Sports Activation at George
P. Johnson is a commitment to pushing the boundaries of
experiential marketing,” said Houston. “It's about harnessing the
passion and energy of sports to create unforgettable, impactful
experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. Here, I have the
opportunity to lead a team that turns visionary ideas into reality,
driving both brand success and fan engagement to new heights."
With Houston’s hiring, GPJ is set up to tap into the sports
space to seamlessly bring brands together to heighten the fan
experience. Her hiring follows the recent announcement of the
addition of Edd Hood to run GPJ’s sports initiatives in EMEAI from
the agency’s London office, and Project’s significant investment in
Talisman Sports Marketing, a recognized leader in strategic sports
marketing initiatives. Houston will also be joining the Project
Sports, Gaming and Entertainment Collective, a cross-agency
specialty group which conceives of and creates iconic, culturally
driven integrated marketing campaigns and programs for blue-chip
clients, start-ups and everything in between.
"Sports marketing, when intertwined with experiential
engagement, becomes the ultimate experience to immerse oneself in
the fervor of fandom,” said Chris Meyer, GPJ Global CEO. “With
Jenn’s hiring, we can’t wait to create unforgettable experiences
that transcend mere spectatorship."
Houston has been a marketing powerhouse for nearly 30 years,
ideating and executing strategies for a wide range of clients
including Visa, Anheuser-Busch, Nike, Coca-Cola and Google to name
a few.
"Sports is the greatest live experience you’ll ever have,” said
Fiona Bruder, GPJ President, Americas. “It's truly the pinnacle of
human experience where passion meets competition and with Jenn’s
leadership, we will take GPJ’s experiential sports practice to the
next level.”
Houston joins GPJ’s Los Angeles office immediately.
About George P. Johnson Experience Marketing:
GPJ is the world’s leading strategic experience marketing agency.
GPJ enables brand marketers to benefit from integrated experiential
programs that leverage online, mobile and physical brand
interactions fueled by data. Clients in technology, automotive,
healthcare, consumer goods, finance, and other industries rely on
GPJ to help them compete more effectively on a global basis by
creating and accelerating relationships with customers, employees,
partners, media, and other influencers. GPJ is part of the Project
Creative Alliance built for the needs of contemporary marketers.
Learn more at gpj.com.
Media Contacts:Scott
KellnerSenior Vice President of Sales & MarketingGeorge P.
Johnson Experience MarketingScott.Kellner@gpj.com
Jeannie EvanchanVice President of Media
StrategyPraytell Agencyprojectpr@praytellagency.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68eabbdf-8fbf-46b0-bb21-acbdf3b2ce66