Collingwood Football Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of Craig Kelly as its new Chief Executive Officer. A former player of the Magpies, Craig played 122 games and kicked 43 goals as a defender between 1989 and 1996. He also served as the leader of the marketing and sales and events division of the club during his playing career.
After retiring from professional football, Craig went on to co-found TLA (formerly ESP), a leading sports marketing agency that provides services across a wide range of areas such as talent management, events management, and digital and broadcast media. During his time at TLA, Craig held the role of Chief Executive Officer and managed operations in both Australia and the United Kingdom.
According to Jeff Browne, the President of Collingwood Football Club, Craig’s appointment is due to his vast experience in managing AFL and key sporting talent, his ability to drive a high-performance environment, and his success in delivering results. Browne went on to say that Craig’s three decades of experience, combined with his passion for the Magpies, make him the ideal candidate for the role of CEO.
Craig Kelly stated that he is honored to be appointed as the leader of the Collingwood Football Club and is excited to give back to the community. He is eager to steer the growth of the club while supporting and developing the talent of its people, both on and off the field. Craig will officially commence his role on February 20th and will step down from his executive and board positions at TLA as a result.
In addition to Craig’s appointment, Collingwood has also named Ian Paterson as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Ian has held senior positions at the Seven Network and Channel Nine, where he served 20 years as Managing Director and Director of Commercial Partnerships for the network. He has already begun his role at the club.
In conclusion, the Collingwood Football Club is excited to welcome Craig Kelly back as CEO and is looking forward to the next chapter of its journey. With Craig’s experience and passion, combined with Ian Paterson’s commercial expertise, the club is well-positioned to continue its growth and success.
