In a wide-ranging, two-hour meeting with over 450 of the company’s forward-facing talent, ESPN President John Skipper emphasized that ESPN is poised for continued success in an evolving media landscape. “At the end of this meeting I want you to be confident about the future of ESPN,” Skipper said. “I want you to feel proud about working here and I want you to feel that your best efforts are needed for that future and to feel that pride.”
With SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt moderating, Skipper then described several strategies including: maintaining and growing ESPN’s live rights portfolio; driving maximum distribution of ESPN’s content through traditional distributors and aggressive licensing of OTT distributors; launching the direct-to-consumer service ESPN+ in 2018 through Disney’s deal with BAMTech; and continuing the company’s focus on the breadth and depth of storytelling and strong journalism. “I want to lead an ESPN that strives purposely and confidently into a new world which is not scary but exciting,” Skipper said.
The presentations concluded with SportsCenter’s Sage Steele asking questions of President Global Sales & Marketing Ed Erhardt, who touted ESPN’s strong position in the marketplace.
“All of you make such a difference and are a large part of why advertisers want to be with us,” Erhardt said.
