Legends Continues Global Expansion with Appointment of Central Europe Leadership
NICK VON DOETINCHEM APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR, CENTRAL EUROPE
Additional Central Europe New Hires Include Jens Bräunig as Vice President, Merchandise
and Florian Schuetz as Director, Food & Beverage
Legends, a global premium experiences company, is continuing its worldwide growth with several key leadership appointments in Central Europe. Today, the company announced the arrival of well-respected industry executive Nick von Doetinchem as 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.
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 is comprised of feasibility and research, venue development, premium ticket sales, global partnerships, food and beverage, 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 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.
“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,” said Mike Tomon, Co-President and COO, Legends. “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 UEFA, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, FIFA, IOC, among others. Most recently, he was Vice President of OTT Streaming and Media Rights at 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 Sportfive and went on to become Managing Director of the agency’s Polish operation. In 2008, he left to co-found UFA Sports, a Hamburg-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 Global President of Media.
As 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 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 Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart where he spent more than 10 years most recently serving as 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 Director of Food & Beverage, Central Europe with more than 20 years of hospitality experience, including co-founding and co-owning several restaurants in New York City and Frankfurt. He was most recently Managing Director of Supreme Sports Hospitality in Frankfurt. Prior to that position, he was General Manager for Sofitel Frankfurt Opera and held leadership roles at SIXTY Hotels and Sofitel 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 Real Madrid, SoFi Stadium, One World Observatory, Dallas Cowboys, FC Barcelona, University of Notre Dame, New York Yankees, and Ryder Cup, as well as leagues and properties such as the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, PGA of America, and FIFA World Cup.