Tom Davis has been hired as the Big West Conference’s Associate Commissioner for External Relations/Chief Marketing Officer, announced today by Commissioner Dan Butterly.
Davis brings a wide range of experience and accomplishments in branding, marketing, broadcasting, sponsorship and revenue generation over the course of his career. Since 2010, Davis served as the President and Creative Director of Caught Looking, Inc., a marketing, branding and content production agency in Los Angeles.
A native of Carbondale, Ill., Davis has written, produced and directed projects for both traditional and emerging media platforms. He wrote and produced the documentary ’51 Dons and the BattleFrog College & League Championships series’ for ESPN. He has also developed creative campaigns and syndicated content for top brands including DIRECTV, EA Sports and Qualcomm.
On the collegiate level, Davis led a comprehensive re-brand strategy for the Mountain West Conference including market research, logo design and creative execution, and later wrote, produced and directed national TV PSA’s, radio and print advertising initiatives, social media and in-venue marketing assets as the league’s creative agency. He also held marketing and sponsorship roles at Southern Illinois University and Marquette University, and served as General Manager at UCLA for multimedia rightsholder ISP.
“Tom Davis is a proven leader who throughout his career has elevated organizational branding, marketing and communications, particularly in collegiate athletics,” Butterly said. “Tom will lead our efforts to redefine and elevate the Big West Conference brand through all areas of operations. Growing our local, regional and national awareness, as well as working to improve our student-athlete experience and fan engagement and communication, are key initatives where Tom and our external relations staff will be focused.”
In his new position, Davis will serve as the point of contact for the conference’s external relations team. He will provide leadership and help chart the path to research, define, understand and drive the brand of the Big West Conference.
"I’m excited to join the Big West Conference leadership,” Davis said. “Building upon the academic and athletic successes of our members, I look forward to working with the staff and institutional leadership to redefine and elevate the Big West brand to increase enthusiasm and support for all 11 Big West universities.”
Davis is an Adjunct Professor in the University of San Francisco’s Sport Management program and is the Co-Host and Producer of the Puttin’ Up Numbers Podcast.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Administration from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Sports Management from Purdue University.
He began his position with the Big West on November 2.