By Greg Hazley
Brett Jewkes, managing partner at Taylor, will move to client NASCAR in April as VP and chief communications officer for the racing league.
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The appointment comes nine months after NASCAR began to revamp its communications division as longtime VP Jim Hunter stepped down amid a battle with cancer. He died on Nov. 1.
NASCAR, which has suffered from TV ratings declines in recent years, said it vetted more than 50 candidates and interviewed nearly 20 before deciding on Jewkes.
Jewkes takes up the post atop the league’s new integrated marketing communications unit on April 13 based in Charlotte, N.C., where he previously opened an office for Taylor. He also founded the firm’s motorsports practice and won a Silver Anvil for handling Ask.com’s Safe Search Schools partnership with NASCAR. Other client experience includes the NFL, MLB and U.S. Olympic Committee, as well as Nestle Purina and Merck.
He’ll oversee all of NASCAR’s communications functions, from business and crisis communications, to brand and consumer marketing.
NASCAR CEO Brian France noted Jewkes’ “unique understanding of NASCAR and our industry” in announcing the hire.
Earlier in his career, Jewkes as at Coltrin & Associates. His family will relocate from Deerfield, Ill., this summer.
Jewkes is on Twitter here.
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