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The Engagement Academy
of Sports Entertainment

Comprised of industry leaders, athletes, creators, and entertainers, the Engagement Academy plays a vital role in driving an engaging and inclusive future of sports content, experiences, and entertainment. EASE members judge the Hashtag Sports Awards.

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5th Hashtag Sports Awards at Terminal 5
Sports x Entertainment

About The Academy

Presented by the Engagement Academy, the Hashtag Sports Awards are peer-based awards that recognize excellence in fan and consumer engagement and establish the benchmark for sports entertainment and experiences.

Through year-round events and education, the Engagement Academy exists to serve the sports entertainment community by celebrating, inspiring, and advocating for content creators, creatives, and marketers globally.

Featured Members

deandra-duggans-2023

Deandra Duggans

VP, Brand Marketing
Las Vegas Aces
Alexander Michaelsen

Alexander Michaelsen

Executive Creative Director
Jung von Matt SPORTS
Julie Haddon

Julie Haddon

CMO
NWSL
Bill Moseley

Bill Moseley

Sponsorships & Exp. Marketing
AT&T
Anmol Malhotra

Anmol Malhotra

Head of Sports Partnerships
Snap Inc
Martin Nance

Martin Nance

CMO
Minnesota Vikings
Bonnie Bernstein

Bonnie Bernstein

Founder & CEO
Walking Swiftly Productions
jazmine-chase

Jazmine Chase

Influencer Marketing Manager
Prime Video & Amazon Studios
Michael Bucklin

Michael Bucklin

SVP, Digital
FOX Sports
Keisha Wright

Keisha Wright

SVP, Partnerships & Purpose
THINK450
Phil Cook

Phil Cook

CMO
WNBA
Marissa Weseloh

Marissa Weseloh

Director, Sponsorship
Verizon
sean-brown

Sean Brown

Head of Community
Autograph
sarah-crennan

Sara Crennan

VP, Head of Content, DTC
NBA
josh-hart

Josh Hart

NBA Athlete & Podcast Host
LightHarted
Tim Greenberg

Tim Greenberg

EVP, Production & Branded Content
World Surf League

MEMBERSHIP in the ENGAGEMENT Academy is by Invitation Only.

Academy Mission

To best serve fans in the digital age by recognizing excellence in engagement, inspiring creativity, and championing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and new ideas that galvanize the sports, media, and entertainment industries.

Creators of Color

  • A new program from EASE in partnership with Canva that spotlights and empowers sports creatives ages 21-33 who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Talent Pipeline

  • The Sports Entertainment Talent Pipeline (SETP) to help the sport, media, and entertainment industries discover and hire diverse creative talent.

Gender Equality

  • Each year, The Engagement Academy and Hashtag Sports recognize executives who are committed to empowering women in sports and entertainment.

Special Initiatives

Creators of Color

Spotlighting and empowering sports creatives ages 21-33 who identify as Black, Latinx, Asian, and People of Color

Talent
Pipeline

Creative talent CRM and discovery platform

Gender Equality

Executive honor recognizing those who champion and empower women in sports and entertainment