Partnerships · Sports · Culture · Music · Tech
Jeff
Zeller.
Business and creative executive building the deals that put brands at the center of culture.
Partnerships · Sports · Culture · Music · Tech
Business and creative executive building the deals that put brands at the center of culture.
Director, Global Partnerships - Account Executive, Samsung
Responsible for the global business development, implementation, and operations in Visa's strategic partner relationship with Samsung.
Partnerships
Primary client relationship owner; partner drives $2B in Visa payment volume annually
Product Launch
First ever tap-based, interoperable, real-time P2P payment solution
Details coming soon
Press Coverage
Sr. Director, Sports NFT Partnerships, Business Operations & Marketing
Led sports and entertainment NFT partnerships, licensing deals, and go-to-market across a global NFT platform.
NFT Partnership · Football
Collab between PSG x Jay Chou; promotional campaign feat. Messi, Mbappe & Neymar.
NFT Partnership · NBA
Celebrated the 76ers rich history with a collection offering priceless physical redemptions.
NFT Partnership · NHL
Released a mass-market, free-to-claim redemption collectible in the Crypto.com Arena.
NFT Partnership · NWSL
Superfan collection for the first majority women-owned pro sports team
NFT Partnership · F1
Celebrated the 2022 livery reveal with deconstructed digital parts.
UFC 268
UFC 270
UFC 271
UFC 273
UFC 274
Experiential Pop-Up
Collaborated with Visa on an NFT collection featuring World Cup legends and an on-site fanfest experiential activation at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Experiential Pop-Up
Produced and hosted an experiential NFT museum at the inaugural F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.
On Stage Speaking
Featured speaker at the largest blockchain/NFT conference globally, representing Crypto.com's IP partnerships strategy.
Press Coverage
Visa Launches 'Masters of Movement' NFT Experience at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
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Visa auctions 5 historic goals as NFTs ahead of World Cup
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Crypto.com to Create First-of-Its-Kind NFT Collection Generated by the Speed and Sound of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
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Jay Chou Ventures Into NFTs and the Metaverse
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Director, Brand & Entertainment Marketing Partnerships + Consumer Products
From original music brands to sold-out sneakers - connecting ESPN to culture.
Led the multi-partner activation program for the Emmy-winning ESPN/Netflix documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Official Trailer
Exclusive Preview
SNL Sketch
Pitched and executed a co-branded Peloton ride experience themed around the Emmy-winning MJ/Bulls documentary, complete with a Bulls-style intro from instructor Alex Toussaint.
Take the Ride ↗
Partnered with Spotify to host the official playlist for The Last Dance, driving off-platform streaming engagement with the documentary's epic era-specific soundtrack.
Listen on Spotify ↗
Pre-seeded an ESPN-branded, official GIF collaboration with GIPHY - putting The Last Dance moments in every text thread and social story.
View on GIPHY ↗Social Reactions & Screenshots
Press Coverage
The Last Dance Premiere Is the Most-Viewed ESPN Documentary Content Ever
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'Last Dance': Michael Jordan Series Finishes as Most-Viewed ESPN Documentary Ever
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In 'The Last Dance,' Michael Jordan and the Bulls Still Dominate
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Inside 'The Last Dance,' ESPN's Stunning Docuseries on Michael Jordan and the Bulls
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Review: 'The Last Dance' Puts Michael Jordan In Sharper Focus
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The Last Dance Review: ESPN Michael Jordan Documentary is Enthralling
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ESPN's Michael Jordan Documentary 'The Last Dance' Drew an Average of 6.1 Million Viewers
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'The Last Dance' Wins Emmy for Best Documentary Series
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Collaborated with Adidas to develop and launch a limited-edition Adidas Originals sneaker & slide, celebrating the shared 1979 origins of both brands. Seeded with athletes and ESPN talent, the capsule quickly sold out and was covered by Rolling Stone and Hypebeast.
Launch Screenshots & Proof Points
Press Coverage
Pitched, creative directed, and launched Hype Hits - ESPN's arena music brand - in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Jock Jams. Featuring genre-specific playlists, ESPN talent and athlete Takeovers, and an interactive ESPN.com article.
Interactive ESPN.com Article
Genre-Specific Curated Playlists
Artist & Talent Takeovers
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Social Proof & Screenshots
Conceived and produced a 3-volume digital spoken word audio series - 15 motivational tracks written and performed by ESPN personalities including Adam Schefter, Rece Davis, Rex Ryan, Ryan Clark, and Mina Kimes. Released with Disney Music.
Led go-to-market and partnership strategy for over a dozen ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries and the launch of ESPN Daily - connecting each title to fans, press, and brand partners across the Disney ecosystem.
Chronicling the rivalry between MMA stars Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
▶ Watch Trailer
Recounting the 1998 home run record chase between McGwire and Sosa.
▶ Watch Trailer
Exploring the Tarahumara community and the commercialization of ultrarunning.
▶ Watch Trailer
The history of the contentious relationship between the Raiders owner and the league.
▶ Watch Trailer
Following Maya Moore as she stepped away from the WNBA to focus on social justice.
▶ Watch Trailer
A four-part series documenting the legendary 1986 New York Mets.
▶ Watch Trailer
A four-part look at the rise and fall of the Paralympic champion.
▶ Watch Trailer
Supported the launch of ESPN Daily, the network's flagship daily news podcast.
▶ Watch TrailerPress Coverage
Be Water Review: Bruce Lee Doc Charts a Warrior's Journey
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ESPN's Be Water Is Way Better Than The Last Dance
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ESPN's Be Water Shows How Much Racism Stole From Bruce Lee
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Once Upon a Time in Queens: 30 for 30 Looks Back at the '86 Mets
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Once Upon a Time in Queens: A Rollicking Tribute to the 1986 Mets
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ESPN Planning New Daily Morning Podcast as Its Audio Push Continues
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ESPN Releases Trailer for 30 for 30 'Rodman: For Better or Worse'
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Lance Armstrong Documentary: The Biggest Bombshells From ESPN's 30 for 30
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Scaled-up and advanced ESPN's licensed merchandise business - from officially licensed apparel and collectibles tied to 30 for 30 releases to the ESPN Amazon Shop ultimately laying the groundwork for a direct-to-consumer storefront at merch.espn.com.
Launched officially licensed '86 Mets collaborations - an apparel line with Mitchell & Ness and a Topps commemorative card series tied to the 30for30.
Launched ESPN's official storefront on Amazon, featuring apparel and accessory collections across marquee ESPN IP, including SportsCenter, College GameDay, X Games, Stephen A. Smith, and Scott Van Pelt.
DTC e-Commerce
Set the vision, strategy, and foundation for a direct-to-consumer merchandise shop featuring elevated design collections, an emphasis on lifestyle, and boundary-pushing interpretations of ESPN as "sports &".
Drove brand strategy across ESPN's most culturally significant initiatives - from naming, branding, and launching ESPN Bet, to modernized, locally relevant studio signage, to building ESPN's original music identity from the ground up.
Betting Brand
Drove strategy, naming, and brand development for ESPN Bet - ESPN's entry into the sports betting market.
Negotiated and executed ESPN's branded studio presence at The Clevelander during Super Bowl week in Miami.
Music Brand
Built and led ESPN's music brand - spanning Hype Hits, Shots of Hype, The Last Dance playlist, and partnerships with Hollywood Records and Disney Music.
Chief of Staff, Global Digital Business & US Sales
Supporting Billboard Power 100 #22 at a 1,000-person, $4B division.
Chief of Staff
Supported the President of SME's Global Digital Business & US Sales (Billboard Power 100 #22), managing strategy across a 1,000-person, $4B division.
Corporate Strategy
Conducted industry and competitive analysis to identify sectors and companies for investment, partnership, or acquisition across streaming and music tech.
Executive Communications
Developed and delivered presentations to Sony's global executive team - spanning strategic mid-range planning, investment theses, and growth projections.
A&R | Artist Management | CEO
From placing Marshmello's debut remix to scaling Dancing Astronaut to 1.25M followers and managing Johnning to RIAA Gold and 1B+ streams.
Pitched and placed a Marshmello remix on the "Waiting for Love" remix package - one of Marshmello's first major label placements helping launch his rapid rise.
Digital Media
Led a 25-person editorial operation for the global dance/electronic music industry - 350K MAU, 1.25M social followers, 13M monthly impressions, $250K ARR.
Label & Artist Management
Interned at Avicii's management company and label in Stockholm - working across A&R, artist management, and release strategy within the global EDM ecosystem.
iTunes Content Partnerships - TV & Music
GTM strategy, content operations, and business management for 50+ global content partners on the world's leading digital media platform.
Cross-Media Promotion
Owned cross-media landing page campaigns for marquee events, driving content conversion across iTunes TV, Music, and App.
Content Partnerships
Managed end-to-end GTM strategy for 50+ global content partners - ESPN, NFL, HBO, Disney - featuring their shows on the iTunes TV homepage.
Music Curation
Co-curated the Dance/Electronic genre page, introducing the "Hot Tracks" slider - early work that shaped the Hype Hits music strategy years later.
2014 - 2016 · Cambridge, MA
2005 - 2009 · Palo Alto, CA
Co-founded the Sound Society of HBS - bringing the music industry to Harvard Business School. Hosted The Chainsmokers, Alison Wonderland, managers of ODESZA & Kygo, Ultra Music Festival's Adam Russakoff, and industry editorial leaders to speak with MBA and Harvard undergrad students.
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Two-time captain of the Stanford Men's Varsity Tennis team - achieving a #1 NCAA team ranking. Helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals alongside teammates who went on to compete professionally. Winner of Stanford Athletics' 2009 Spirit of Stanford Award.
2023 - Present
Board of Governors member at the historic West Side Tennis Club - home of the US Open for over 50 years.
2023 - Present
Mentoring Harvard Business School students on careers at the intersection of media, sports, and technology.
2017 - Present
Mentor Stanford students interested in careers in partnerships, operations, and business development.
2017 - 2021
Provided strategic guidance on partnerships and brand development in the crowdfunding platform ecosystem.
Fraternal twin, proud dad of identical twins Sydney & Savannah (1.5), Jordan (5.5), and Madison (4). Husband to Monika.
Personally featured on the cover art of The Chainsmokers' Grammy-winning Collage EP - one of the best-selling EPs of 2016.
Performed opening set on the House of Blues Boston stage ahead of an 80s rock cover band during business school.
Winner, Mr. Marina fundraiser & talent show / pageant supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, personally raising $25,000 and selling 100 event tickets.
Won four consecutive Colorado 5A state team championships with Cherry Creek HS, playing #1 singles all four years. Led team to undefeated record in all matches and tournaments from 2001-2004.
Individual state champion, 2004 Colorado 5A state tennis championship, #1 singles. 2003: 2nd place. 2002: 3rd place.
Winner, multi-school NYC Entertainment Case Competition. Featured judges panel of Peter Stern (CEO, Peloton), Piers Lingle (SVP, Comcast), Roger Keating (CSO, Hearst).
Apple retail store associate summer 2007. Worked the iPhone's launch day - June 29, 2007 - selling iPhones to customers lined up for hours for one of the most iconic product launches in history.
Get in Touch
Building a platform in partnerships, marketing, and bizdev at the intersection of sports, music, media, and tech.
