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| Paul Brooks |
“Paul’s
accomplishments at NASCAR are beyond measure and have contributed significantly
to the success of our entire industry over the last two decades and prepared us
in many areas for future growth,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.
“We are grateful for his years of dedicated service, support his decision to
pursue other interests and wish the very best to Paul and his family. He will
be greatly missed.”
“I
have big ideas and interests that I’ve always wanted to explore and my decision
to make this transition now has been well planned,” said Brooks. “It has been a
true blessing to learn and grow my career working so closely with one of the
most successful families in American business and professional sports. I have a
deep respect for NASCAR, the France family and NASCAR President Mike Helton,
and I believe the industry is positioned for future growth.”
Among
his most important contributions at NASCAR, Brooks was on the initial team that
developed NASCAR’s long-term consolidated television and new media agreements
with FOX, FX, NBC, Turner and SPEED, and later, agreements with ABC/ESPN.
Brooks also is credited with leading NASCAR’s effort to become the first
professional sports league to launch a 24-hour satellite radio channel with
NASCAR Radio on XM Satellite and later, Sirius and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.
In one of the largest sponsor partnerships in sports, Brooks was a key member
of the negotiating team that brought Sprint-Nextel into the sport as title
sponsor to what was then the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and is now the NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series.
As Sr.
VP for NASCAR and President of NASCAR Media Group, Brooks assumed day-to-day
responsibilities for NASCAR’s Charlotte, N.C., offices in Sept. 2007, with all
broadcasting, new media, licensing and consumer products, publishing,
automotive aftermarket, and international business departments reporting to
him. Since that time, NASCAR Plaza, NASCAR Media Group, the NASCAR Hall of Fame
and the NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust all were developed and launched.
As
VP of broadcasting for NASCAR and VP of NASCAR Digital Entertainment, Brooks
established NASCAR’s Los Angeles office in 2000, while overseeing all
broadcasting, entertainment and new media ventures. He served as executive
producer of NASCAR: Drivers 360 on FX and executive producer for the Emmy
Award-winning NASCAR IN CAR on iN DEMAND, television’s first enhanced
multi-channel digital sports package. Under his management, the Los Angeles
office quickly became a focal point for NASCAR’s marketing, licensing, sales and
communications functions on the West Coast. One of his first projects in Los
Angeles was to create “NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience” that debuted in March
2004 and became one of the most successful film documentaries in IMAX history.
After
joining NASCAR in 1993, Brooks held several key positions with the sanctioning
body including VP, Office of the President, reporting directly to Bill France,
Jr., then chairman and CEO of NASCAR. In this capacity, Brooks was responsible
for leading long-term and operational planning for NASCAR, directing special
projects and publishing, developing and launching NASCAR Online, and leading
international business initiatives, including NASCAR exhibition events in
Japan. Prior to joining NASCAR, his experience in the sport began in 1989 and
included key positions with NASCAR drivers, teams and media outlets.
Brooks
was a three-time honoree in the Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40” and
entered the Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame” in 2005.
“Paul’s
influence on NASCAR has been tremendous and will be felt for years to come,”
said NASCAR President Mike Helton. “He led some of the company’s most important
initiatives that have driven growth and prepared us to better serve the fans
and the industry. Along the way, he earned respect and confidence throughout
NASCAR and, in particular, from Bill France, Jr. and Brian France in their
capacity as CEOs of the company. I have great respect for Paul and look forward
to continuing our professional relationship, but more importantly, our
friendship.”
Brooks,
47, and his wife, Kelly, have a daughter, Olivia, and a son, Kasey, and they
will continue to live in Charlotte, N.C.
Sorry, I disagree, giving the media rights to Turner, splitting up the TV contract between three different entities (going to dedicated cable channels is NOT the way to gain audience in mid-Summer or during the Chase) and getting involved with social media so so late in the game doesn't seem too successful to me.
ReplyDeleteIf NASCAR had a dedicated YouTube channel and had long ago allowed streaming of Sirius/XM on the computer, I wouldn't be so angry about his total lack of vision. Now I have to wait till midnight to listen to the replay of YOURS and Angie's show since I can't listen at work and I get out after 6 every day. SO my sleep is compromised and I wake up grumpy thanks to the crummy policies we're celebrating here.
Doug from NJ