ESPN Taps Former Guardian Exec to Direct U.K. Ad Sales

LONDON/BRISTOL: ESPN has appointed Sam Coleman, former head of client sales for the Guardian News and Media, as its advertising sales director in the U.K.

In his new role, Coleman will be tasked with leading ESPN’s U.K. team, which services the company’s digital portfolio, including ESPN.co.uk, ESPNcricinfo and ESPN FC. He will also be responsible for leveraging the company’s recent acquisition of digital rights for International Cricket Council (ICC) events through to 2019. Coleman will be based in London and will report to Alan Fagan, the EMEA group director of advertising sales.

Coleman has more than 13 years of experience in the industry and played a key role in the launch of Guardian Sport. Prior to that, Coleman served as the communications director at MEC (London and Sydney) and was a key figure at Yahoo London.

Fagan stated: “I am delighted that Sam has joined the U.K. team. We have seen significant growth over the last 24 months, and I look forward to working with Sam to further build our position in the market at this exciting time.”