On Thursday, DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) introduced the hiring of Marie Donoghue as chief enterprise and development officer.
Former Amazon govt Marie Donoghue. She joined DraftKings as chief enterprise and development officer. (Picture: Barrett Sports activities Media)
Donoghue joins the gaming firm from Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), the place she was one of many architects who introduced Thursday Evening Soccer to Amazon Prime’s streaming platform. That marked the primary time one of many NFL’s primetime productions went to an completely streaming format.
In Donoghue’s earlier tenure as Vice President of Amazon’s U.S. Sports activities Content material & Partnerships, her contributions had been essential in positioning Amazon and Prime Video as a serious participant in sports activities media rights,” in line with an announcement issued by DraftKings. “Notably, she led the groundbreaking acquisition and manufacturing of Prime Video’s Emmy Award-winning providing of Thursday Evening Soccer, marking the NFL’s first all-streaming, season-long package deal.”
Earlier than becoming a member of Amazon, Donoghue was with ESPN for 18 years, the place she rose to govt vice chairman of worldwide enterprise and content material technique.
Some Amazon/DraftKings Symmetry
Apparently, Amazon and DraftKings have a relationship by Thursday Evening Soccer. The gaming firm was chosen by the e-commerce large because the official sportsbook and iGaming sponsor of the NFL broadcast.
DraftKings gives pregame and dwell odds for Thursday Evening Soccer broadcasts as a part of that relationship. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit are within the sales space for these video games, whereas Kaylee Hartung is the sideline reporter. An settlement between Amazon and DirecTV permits these video games to be broadcast in public institutions, akin to bars, eating places, and retail sportsbooks.
In her function at DraftKings, “Donoghue will work carefully with present groups to uncover new, sustainable development alternatives and additional solidify DraftKings’ dedication to excellence in product and buyer expertise. She may even be charged with spearheading numerous inside processes,” in line with the assertion.
In a 2021 interview, DraftKings cofounder and CEO Jason Robins mentioned his firm has “ambitions to someday be like an Amazon.”
Donoghue’s Function Sparks Curiosity
DraftKings asserting the hiring of Donoghue comes amid hypothesis that the gaming firm might be nearing a partnership with Barstool Sports activities. It’s unclear what function, if any, she’d play if these two corporations work collectively.
Greater than probably, Donoghue will probably be integral in DraftKings’ capitalization of latest development alternatives. These might embrace extra agreements with skilled sports activities leagues, broadcast and streaming alternatives, and extra.
“We’re delighted to welcome Marie Donoghue to our govt group and the immense wealth of expertise she brings as a highly-regarded chief and trailblazer inside our trade,” mentioned Robins within the assertion. “Marie’s distinctive observe file speaks for itself, and she or he is poised to be a transformative pressure in our firm’s future success.”
