NASCAR Digital Media Makes Strategic Personnel Moves

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NASCAR Digital Media Makes Strategic Personnel Moves to Position for Continued Growth

NASCAR-Digital-MediaColin Smith to Manage Day-to-Day Operations for NDM

NASCAR announced June 26th several staff moves designed to put NASCAR Digital Media (NDM) in place for continued growth and success. 

Colin Smith, managing director, NASCAR Digital Media, assumes responsibility of managing day-to-day operations for the sanctioning body’s digital platform. Smith, who joined NASCAR in 2012 after a 17-year career at Raycom Sports, will be responsible for the entire digital platform which includes NASCAR.com as well as the tablet and mobile experience. Under Smith’s purview will be e-commerce, subscription products, site optimization and content development.

Smith will report to Steve Phelps, NASCAR executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

John Martin, managing director, Digital and Business Operations for NDM and an eight-year veteran of NASCAR, will also take on more responsibilities as NASCAR continues to innovate across the entire digital platform. Martin will report to Smith.

“Since re-launching the platform in 2013, Colin and John have been major contributors to the growth and development of NASCAR.com as well as the platform’s robust portfolio of digital products and offerings,” Phelps said. “Under their leadership we’re confident that NASCAR’s digital platform will continue to evolve and innovate, providing our fans with the most immersive online experience in all of sports.”

In addition to Smith and Martin, NASCAR also announced the promotions of three other key executives.

  • Brian Herbst, a nine-year veteran of NASCAR and one of NDM’s first employees, is now senior director, Content Rights and Partnerships. Herbst will oversee all aspects of NDM’s growing distribution business as well as all digital content and partnership agreements.
  •  Mike Sales is now director of Design for NDM, reporting to Tim Clark, senior director, Optimization and Programming.
  • Donald Baal is now senior manager, Database Marketing and will expand his role to include digital marketing initiatives across NDM.

NASCAR’s digital platform was re-launched on Jan. 3, 2013, when the sanctioning body flipped the switch on a brand-new digital experience and suite of mobile apps. In its first full season in 2013, the platform registered an 11 percent year-over-year increase in monthly unique visitors, highlighted by the platform’s mobile capabilities. NDM continues to see gains in 2014, including engagement across its broad portfolio of second screen products and mobile apps.