The Columbus Crew announced today the hiring of a new Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Michael Malo will join the organization on April 27 in the newly created position, in which he will oversee all ticket sales and service and marketing and promotions functions for the Crew. The communications and community relations department will also report to him, further integrating the club’s external communication strategy and content production resources.
“Mike has an impressive and diverse background in sports marketing,” said Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers. “His knowledge of ticketing, integrated marketing and corporate partnerships, combined with his passion for soccer, will help our organization and senior management team continue on a path of growth and success in the region.”
Malo has nearly 15 years experience in professional sports and comes to the Crew from the Philadelphia Eagles where he served as the Director of Marketing the past four seasons. He also spent 10 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Sr. Director of Marketing, and was integral in launching the franchise and opening its state-of-the-art ballpark. Malo actually started his career in Columbus as an account executive with Cochran Public Relations.
“The Crew is a solid organization with a winning tradition, strong ownership and great leadership, and I’m really looking forward to joining the team,” Malo said. “My goal is to help the organization maximize their opportunities in the marketplace, while continuing to build on the success the Crew has established over the past 15 years.”
Malo is a native of the Columbus area and a graduate of The Ohio State University. He was a four-year starter on the Gahanna Lincoln varsity soccer team in the mid-80s. Malo and his wife, Stacy, have two daughters, Mackenzie, 9, and Madison, 8.
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It recently opened its 15th season overall and 12th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.
