The NFL's Atlanta Falcons today announced Morgan Shaw Parker has been named Vice President, Football Communications after a nationwide search to fill a key positon in the team's front office. Shaw Parker will assume leadership of the Falcons communications department in late May, reporting to AMB Group Senior Vice President, Brett Jewkes.
Shaw Parker brings a nearly 20-year proven track record in sport business and innovation including the NFL, NCAA, media, corporate brand and agency. She joins the Falcons after spending over 10 years at NIKE, Inc. where she most-recently served as Director within its North America Communications function. In that role since 2009, Shaw Parker set the strategic and tactical communications direction for multiple Nike brand categories, including Football (NFL and NCAA) where she led the 2012 media launch for Nike's NFL partnership and has continued a strong relationship with the league office and all 32 clubs.
She also held positions leading communications strategy for Nike Baseball (MLB), Men's Training, Women's Training, Running, Olympics and affiliate brand communications for NIKE, Inc., among others. Within these roles, her responsibilities included developing long-term integrated communications strategies across marketing, social/digital, product, design and retail.
"Adding a seasoned leader with the experience and values Morgan brings to our communications team is a big win for the Atlanta Falcons," said Jewkes. "We worked to find a professional with broad football experience, a brand-building mindset and proven ability to work cross-functionally to help elevate our franchise and found that in Morgan. We're very pleased to have someone of her caliber in this important role."
Earlier in her career, she spent 1999-2004 with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs in its public relations, community relations and corporate affairs departments. While a member of the @Chiefs PR staff, she served as a feature reporter for the Chiefs Gameday Show with Metro Sports on Time Warner Cable / KCTV5, and was a member of the NFL's Super Bowl PR team for over a decade. She also sat on the board of @WINforKC - part of the Kansas City Sports Commission - helping to provide opportunities for girls and women in sports.
"The Atlanta Falcons and all of the Blank Family of Businesses are truly world-class organizations and I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity to join the Falcons family," said Shaw Parker. "The Falcons organization is well regarded for putting people first and is built for success. I am blessed and proud to join such a unique and talented team, both on and off the field."
Shaw Parker holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a M.S. of Education in Sport Management from the University of Kansas. She is married to Jeff Parker and has a 9-month old son, Lincoln. The Parker family will relocate from Portland to metro Atlanta later this spring.
