Octagon Hires Two to Expand Event/Hospitality Services

Sports and entertainment marketing agency, Octagon, has hired two industry veterans to expand its events and hospitality services.

The services are provided to existing clients and will also focus on major, international events such as the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, Ryder Cup, Rugby World Cup and others.

Wayne Eldevik has been named senior vice president to head the division. He joins Octagon from Maritz, Inc. where he was division vice president of sponsorship marketing. While there, in 2002, he created and launched the firm’s sponsor-activation services and event marketing business unit.

He has a wealth of expertise in creating and managing hospitality, travel and incentive programs for sponsorship marketers activating at many of the world’s major sports events, Octagon said. He will be based in North America.

Also joining Octagon is Heather Kelley as the division’s director of operations who will be based in London. Most recently, she also worked for Martiz for eight years as director of operations/sponsorship marketing managing complex hospitality campaigns and on-site operations for numerous official partners at Olympic Games in Athens, Torino, Beijing and Vancouver.

They joined Octagon last month. Octagon ranked No. 22 on the 2010 Promo 100 ranking with an estimated $64.1 million in 2008 U.S. net revenue.