Biography

Jim Smith enters his second season in the important role of Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer after spending the previous six years as the team’s Vice President of Marketing.

In addition to heading up one of the most creative and talented marketing teams in the NFL, Smith recently worked with the NFL Office on a comprehensive brand review that created a new standard for the Falcons brand and put in place innovative brand policies to enhance and expand the club’s overall image both in the Atlanta market and nationally. In conjunction with this study, Smith developed the award winning “Rise Up” campaign which includes an inspiring television commercial featuring Hollywood star and “A-list” actor Samuel L. Jackson.

The campaign, which focuses on a team, an organization, a fan base, and a community rising up together to try win a championship, was unveiled in the spring of 2010 to impressive reviews and culminated with a television spot featuring Jackson’s impassioned speech for Atlanta and the Falcons to “Rise Up” together. Jackson’s motivating, emotional words also became a pre-game rallying cry and popular fixture for Falcons fans on the team’s Jumbotron when it was shown just before kickoff at each home game. It became an instant hit for fans and Falcons players alike as the club posted a 7-1 record at the Georgia Dome.

The new “Rise Up” ad was so successful that it captured a prestigious bronze Effie Award in the entertainment category. The Effie Awards is a 43- year old marketing recognition program designed to distinguish between the most effective advertising campaigns across the country each year.

In addition to the widely successful “Rise Up” campaign, Smith led the negotiations for new radio and television partnerships in 2011. Smith’s diligent and resourceful work translated into multi- year deals with Lincoln Financial Media, owner of STAR 94 FM and Sports Radio 790 The Zone, and CBS Atlanta.

Some of Smith’s other critical day-to-day responsibilities entail maximizing local and national revenue opportunities by managing all brand affinity, inventory, including stadium assets, broadcast rights, team marketing rights, new media, and event marketing. Smith and his partnership sales teams have increased the Falcons’ local sponsorship and broadcast revenues by more than 300% since 2003, and his impressive work in the Atlanta marketplace has resulted in several new partnerships with companies like Ford Motor Company, Verizon, AirTran Airways, NAPA, Russell, Quikrete, and SunTrust. Smith’s new media team has received national acclaim for its use of emerging technology and social media to provide fans unprecedented access to the Falcons organization.

Prior to joining the Falcons, Smith spent five successful seasons as General Manager and then President/General Manager of the Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. During his stint with The Crew, Smith captured 2001 MLS Executive of the Year honors by his peers and followed-up that award by overseeing the organization’s first-ever championship the following season winning the 2002 U.S. Open Cup title.

Before his positions with The Crew, Smith was a member of the athletic department at Ohio State University, serving as Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications. At OSU, Smith was responsible for the direction and coordination of eight department heads in the areas of marketing, athletic communications, publications, external relations, merchandise sales, premium seat services, video services and concessions.

Smith was the Director of Live Event Marketing for the World Wrestling Federation before his move to OSU. He also worked as the Coliseum Director at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Born Dec. 5, 1965, the Milford, Conn. native earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Radio, TV, and Film at Northwestern University and a Masters of Arts in Sports Management at Ohio State. He and his wife, Polly, live in Suwanee, Georgia with their three daughters, Rachel, Courtney, and Emily, and son, Daniel.