ESPN announced that Julie Souza has joined the company as vice president, business development and strategy. In this role, Souza will be charged with developing and executing ESPN’s business development strategy, with a focus on smartly growing ESPN’s business and product offerings across all platforms including television, digital, wireless, print and others. She will be based in the company’s New York office and will report to Marie Donoghue.
“Julie is a very talented executive with broad experience in the sports media business and we’re excited to welcome her to ESPN,” said Donoghue, senior vice president, global strategy, business development and business affairs. “Her unique skill set working across various media platforms will make her a key addition as we continue to expand our businesses and look to identify attractive new areas for growth and innovation.”
Souza joins ESPN from the Sports Illustrated Group where she was vice president of business development, leading partnership and business development initiatives across digital and print platforms.
In her previous position, she developed and executed the group’s television strategy, launching the Sports Illustrated show and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 50th Anniversary television special. Souza also served on the inaugural Time Warner Chairman’s Challenge committee, tasked with developing business opportunities to reach new markets, creating and presenting business plans to Time Warner senior leadership.
Before joining Sports Illustrated, Souza was Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development at CBS Sports Network (f/k/a CSTV) where she oversaw strategic initiatives, analysis and business partnerships. Earlier in her career, Souza served as Director of Marketing and Business Development at American Express and in the consulting practices of various companies including Accenture, PeopleSoft, and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.
Souza earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a MBA from Harvard Business School. She lives in Rye, NY with her husband and three children.
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