Legends ‘legend’ary hires in Central Europe

Article posted by Coliseum, October 16^th, 2023

Image: Legends

Legends, a global premium experiences company, are continuing its worldwide growth with several key leadership appointments in Central Europe.

‘Legends’ stated that on October 10^th, the company announced the arrival of well-respected industry executive Nick von Doetinchem as the Managing Director of Central Europe. von Doetinchem has more than 20 years of experience in the sports marketing industry working in a wide array of business verticals, including media, sponsorship, consulting, representation, and venues.

Founded in 2008, New York (US)-based Legends is a premium experiences company with six divisions operating worldwide – Global Planning, Global Sales, Global Partnerships, Hospitality, Global Merchandise, and Global Technology Solutions – offering clients and partners a 360-degree data- and analytics-fueled service solution platform to elevate their brand and execute their vision. Currently, Legends works with marquee clients across business verticals including professional sports, collegiate, attractions, entertainment, and conventions and leisure. Legends are the industry leaders in designing, planning and realizing exceptional experiences in sports and entertainment.

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‘Legends’ further stated that von Doetinchem will oversee the development and implementation of Legends’ data-intelligence- fueled 360-degree services platform throughout Central Europe. Legends holistic solution for sports and entertainment organizations, venues and attractions comprises feasibility and research, venue development, premium ticket sales, global partnerships, food and beverage (F&B), omnichannel merchandise, supported by business intelligence to drive commercial revenue, fan engagement and brand value.

Legends has also hired experienced merchandising executive Jens Bräunig as the Vice-President, Merchandise for Central Europe. As well, Florian Schuetz has joined Legends as Director, Food & Beverage for Central Europe. von Doetinchem, Bräunig and Schuetz will all be based in Legends’ Hamburg, Germany office.

Maintained Mike Tomon, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Legends, “Legends is privileged to work with some of the biggest brands on the global stage, and as we continue to expand our business, we remain committed to a territory-centered approach with high-level, credible leadership on the ground to deliver for our partners. Our investment and commitment to Central Europe is underscored with the hiring of Nick, Jens and Florian, all well-respected executives experienced in the region. Under Nick’s expertise and leadership, we will accelerate our position in Central Europe to deliver our holistic service solution tailored to help our partners achieve their business goals.”

von Doetinchem has worked with and represented a wide portfolio of blue-chip rights-holders during his career, including the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA – one of six continental bodies of governance in association football), LaLiga (the top men’s professional football division of the Spanish football league system), Bundesliga (the top of the German football league system), Serie A (the top of the Italian football league system), FIFA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), among others.

Most recently, he was the Vice-President of OTT Streaming and Media Rights at the digital media company OneFootball responsible for building the company’s award-winning streaming business, which is the largest global digital football platform with 100m+ monthly active users.

von Doetinchem started his career at the international sports marketing agency Sportfive and went on to become the Managing Director of the agency’s Polish operation. In 2008, he left to co-find UFA Sports, a Hamburg (Germany)-based sports marketing agency subsequently acquired by Sportfive eight years later. Over the course of the next five years, he rose through the agency eventually assuming the role of the Global President of Media.

As the Vice-President of Merchandise, Central Europe, Bräunig will oversee Legends current business and work to secure new merchandise partners throughout Central Europe. Legends’ fully integrated retail and merchandising vertical solution works with the world-class clients around the globe across e-commerce, in-venue retail, large-scale live event, brick-and-mortar store operations, licensing, and customer merchandise.

Bräunig has more than two decades of experience in the club business and joins Legends from the Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart (Germany) where he spent more than 10 years most recently serving as the Director B2C overseeing merchandising, licensing, e-commerce, as well as ticketing, memberships and sustainability, among other responsibilities.

Schuetz joined Legends earlier this Summer and stepped into his new role as the Director of Food & Beverage, Central Europe, with more than 20 years of hospitality experience, including co-finding and co-owning several restaurants in New York City (US) and Frankfurt (Germany). He was most recently the Managing Director of Supreme Sports Hospitality in Frankfurt. Prior to that position, he was the General Manager for the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera (five-star luxury hotel in Frankfurt) and held leadership roles at the SIXTY Hotels (a brand of boutique luxury hotels in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami) and Sofitel (French luxury hotel chain) in New York City. Schuetz will work with Legends’ partners throughout Central Europe to deliver exceptional culinary experiences at every level in their venues, including concessions, premium clubs, suites, and catering.

Legends is partnered with many of the world’s most iconic sports, entertainment and attractions brands, including the LaLiga club Real Madrid CF (Spain), the 70,240-capacity SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California (US), One World Observatory (an enclosed observation deck on the top of the One World Trade Center in New York City, (US), the National Football League (NFL) team Dallas Cowboys (US), the LaLiga club FC Barcelona (Spain), the University of Notre Dame (private, Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, US), the Major League Baseball (MLB) team New York Yankees, and the Ryder Cup (a biennial men’s golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States), as well as leagues and properties such as the NFL, MLB, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America, and the FIFA World Cup™.

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