ROBERT J. DIGISI
UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ 07458
(C) 302-379-0848  (H) 201-825-2356  rdigisi65@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/robdigisi
SENIOR SPORTS MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Strategically driven partnership marketing professional with the relationship skills, record of innovation and
entrepreneurial spark to meet diverse objectives, negotiate complex alliances and manage the bottom line.
 A Well-Rounded Industry Pro with agency, league, licensee and sponsor experience as well
as the curiosity to create and teach Entertainment and Sports Marketing at The Wharton School.
 A Strategic Thinker with the broad business acumen and practical sensibilities to identify and
evaluate opportunities and craft a clear, executable plan.
 An Innovator who turns vision into results, creates new business units and marketing
platforms, launches new products and generates alternative revenue streams.
 A Multi-skilled Partner and Natural Leader with the ability to close and maximize both sides
of a deal, form and nurture internal and external relationships and motivate a team.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
IRON HORSE MARKETING, INC., Upper Saddle River, NJ and Wilmington, DE
2009-Present
Founder and President
2002-2008
Founded and built partnership marketing and business development consulting firm serving clients in need of innovative
solutions and disciplined leadership. This firm also serves as an incubator to develop new businesses either organically or
through acquisition. Clients and ventures included:
Baseball Training Centers - Pursued a roll-up strategy in 2010-11 to create a national brand and establish an
efficient sponsorship and grassroots marketing platform in the emerging, yet fragmented baseball instruction
industry. Advanced negotiations to raise funds to acquire the industry’s leading franchisor.
Copart, Inc. - In 2009-10, served as de-facto CMO for this $3B, publicly traded online automotive auction
company. Provided high-level strategic consultation and led Copart’s initial penetration into the consumer sector.
 Created and rolled-out a marketing plan adding 100K+ consumer members, a 300% increase to the existing base.
 Leveraged sponsorships with NASCAR and NHRA race teams to both introduce brand/service to consumers
through experiential marketing and entertain auto insurance, fleet and other consignment clients. Negotiated
media deals with SPEED Channel and NHRA/ESPN to create digital media promotions and advertising programs.
Famous 58 - Partnered with former NFL Pro-Bowler to launch a new BBQ food brand in 2007 targeted to the
football tailgate party segment and led all product sourcing, marketing, distribution and e-commerce.
Becker Group - Led the transformation of a fifty-year-old holiday display designer/supplier into an
experiential marketing agency that brings entertainment brands to life. Launched programs with Fox, Disney
and The History Channel’s Modern Marvels Invent Now! Challenge, which won a 2007 PMA award.
Online Collegiate Insignia Merchandise - In 2003-04, built plan and sought strategic acquisitions and
funding to create an online solution for universities to maximize retail sales of school-identified merchandise.
Autotote Systems Inc. - Developed new venture plan for the leading horse racing wagering systems provider
to leverage their technology, video network and consumer access as a multi-media advertising solution.
DALE AND THOMAS POPCORN, Englewood, NJ
2008-2009
Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Business Development
Reported directly to CEO to lead marketing strategy for early stage snack-food company. Formed and managed
entertainment, sports and other marketing partnerships for two popcorn brands, premium Dale and Thomas and massmarketed Popcorn, Indiana.
 Negotiated strategic marketing partnership with Universal Pictures to create retail promotions, DVD integration and
a viral/digital marketing program to build brand equity, generate consumer trial and drive retail traffic.
 Created promotions with Universal, the NY Giants, Red Sox, Netflix, Miller Beer/CVS and several others resulting
in $1.2MM of incremental sales for $30MM company.
 Formed partnerships with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Strike Ten Entertainment to build brand
awareness and expand distribution to 30 arenas/stadiums and over 2,000 bowling centers nationwide.
Robert J. DiGisi
Page 2
BANK ONE, INC., Wilmington, DE
1998-2002
Vice President, Business Development - Partnership Marketing
Brought in new partners and negotiated renewals for $6B/900 partner co-branded credit card portfolio. Secured funding
commitments from CFO for renewal of 300+ expiring partnerships and led a cross-functional team to create a strategically
disciplined new business development and partnership evaluation process.
 Developed a breakthrough partnership between General Mills, Visa and Bank One to create the Box Tops for
Education co-branded credit card, growing to a top-20 portfolio for the division.
 Initiated and closed new marketing partnerships through consultative sales, exceeding 2001 sales goal by 60%.
Vice President, Marketing Strategy - Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Led marketing strategy and operations for $700MM portfolio with 230 sports and entertainment credit card partnerships.
Revised strategies and cut $40MM from marketing budget in response to bank-wide earnings crisis. Built portfoliomarketing initiatives including loyalty/rewards programs and integration of smart card features.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION, New York, NY
1995-1998
Director, Business Development - NBA Properties
Introduced e-commerce as a viable profit center for the league. Earned Commissioner’s approval and built new team.
Accountable for P&L and grew revenue from start-up to $4.1MM in three years. Member of the development team for
the flagship NBA Store and created online and interactive features to extend merchandise selection.
 Negotiated NBA’s first equity-compensation alliance to provide merchandising and fulfillment for NBA.com store.
 Formed and managed partnership with Sports Illustrated and built and deployed a 4.2MM basketball fan database.
 Leveraged new digital marketing assets to create integrated programs for AT&T, American Express and IBM.
Director, Business Operations - Consumer Products Group
Member of leadership team responsible for maximizing consumer products licensing and brand development
opportunities from NBA intellectual property. Directed strategic planning, managed P&L and oversaw business
operations for NBA’s 55-person, 160-partner licensed merchandise division generating over $150MM in royalty revenue.
CUC INTERNATIONAL, Stamford, CT
1993-1995
Marketing Manager, New Products and New Channels
KRAFT GENERAL FOODS, Philadelphia, PA
Summer 1992
Brand Management Intern, Frozen Products Division
IMG, Cleveland, OH
1988-1991
Financial Operations and Analysis, Golf and Media Divisions
ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO., Boston, MA
1987-1988
Staff Accountant, Audit Division
EDUCATION
THE WHARTON SCHOOL, University of Pennsylvania
1993
Master of Business Administration, Marketing Major
BOSTON COLLEGE, Carroll School of Management
1987
Bachelor of Science, Accounting Major, Graduated Summa Cum Laude
TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION
THE WHARTON SCHOOL, University of Pennsylvania
2003-Present
Marketing Lecturer and Co-Founder - The Wharton Sports Business Initiative (WSBI)
Taught MBA level course “Entertainment and Sports Marketing,” from 2003-05, co-launched WSBI and currently serve
on Alumni Advisory Board for this academic think tank for the sports industry.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY Adjunct Instructor for “The Business of Sports Marketing,”
PUBLISHED - Sports Business Journal, Feb. 2-9, 2004, “Today’s Homework: Build your College Brand.”
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, State of Ohio, granted in 1989.
1998-2000