Leverage Agency Names Ray Katz as President, Sports Properties and Media

Ben Sturner, CEO and President of the Leverage Agency, announced that Ray Katz has joined the company in the newly-created role of President, Sports Properties and Media, for Leverage's Sports Division.

Katz is a sports and entertainment sales, research, sponsorship and marketing industry veteran, with over 20 years experience and a background that includes leadership positions with Optimum Sports, the NFL, Young & Rubicam, The Football Network, and Madison Square Garden. Katz will begin his new position on October 13.

Katz joins Leverage after serving as Managing Director- Sports Marketing, for Optimum Sports, an Omnicom Company, for almost six years. He oversaw consulting for brand and property clients, including VISA, State Farm, Bank of America, the AFL, and the LPGA, and was instrumental in Optimum's rapid revenue growth. Ray also led initiatives in content development, rights negotiation, research and analytics.

In 1999, Ray founded Smartix International, an affinity commerce company that partnered with MasterCard and MBNA to launch a fan management program for sports teams and leagues. While Director of Sales at Madison Square Garden, he led the direct sales team, and created the first ever Knicks mini-plan and pre-playoff promotion.

As Senior Director of Marketing at the NFL, Ray managed a $10 million budget and was responsible for company-wide advertising, direct marketing and research, during a time in which NFL Properties business doubled.

He started his career in Account Management at Young and Rubicam and subsequently became the head of The Lord Group's sports marketing unit where he led accounts including Kraft/General Foods, Adidas, The Sports Authority and Major League Baseball.

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