ESPN appoints Arne Rees to oversee digital media ops

MUMBAI: ESPN has appointed Arne Rees as vice president, international digital media as it seeks to expand the international reach of its digital media operations.

Rees will be based in New York and report to ESPN International EVP & MD Russell Wolff, and will oversee ESPN?s international digital growth and work with the company?s regional offices.

"Digital properties throughout ESPN?s international businesses continue to be a major priority and are key to our future growth. Our efforts online, with mobile devices and our vibrant broadband products all have significant momentum, and we will benefit from Arne?s digital, business development, and sports experience moving forward,"Wolff said in a statement.

Rees joined ESPN in 2006 as VP of international development, where he was involved in the development of its international broadband and wireless businesses. Most recently, he was VP, assistant to the president, working directly with George Bodenheimer, executive chairman of ESPN, Inc and former president of ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports.

Prior to ESPN, Rees spent five years as head of strategy and business development for the Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) in Nyon, Switzerland. He has also worked as an investment consultant at UBS Capital and as the director of business development for I-D Media.