Pickleball Magazine 4-5 WD | Page 11

USAPA INFRASTRUCTURE GROWS YET AGAIN GEORGE BAUERNFEIND HIRED AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS BY JUSTIN MALOOF USAPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR his year, USAPA has made a substantial commitment to growing the staff infrastructure as eight new staff/ contractors have been added to the team. In early September, the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) added another key member to its leadership team—George Bauernfeind will be the governing body’s Managing Director of Marketing and Communications. In his new position, Bauernfeind will lead USA Pickleball’s Marketing, Communications and Business Development department with a focus on building and executing a comprehensive marketing and brand strategy to broaden the reach, build the brand, drive increased membership and grow the sport of pickleball. This also includes efforts to grow digital and social media engagement with members, pickleball participants and sports fans. He will also lead targeted media plans across all channels that highlight USA Pickleball’s key strategic initiatives and events, including the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships, the Regional Tournaments, junior programs and recreational play. Prior to joining USA Pickleball, George was Head of Marketing for Olympic & Paralympic Programs at BP America, a Team USA partner through the London, Sochi and Rio Games. During his leadership, they built from the ground up a fan base and social following of more than 400,000 for @BPTeamUSA channels. He also implemented several multi-channel, integrated marketing, brand and digital campaigns that increased revenue, and created, planned and managed 300+ events and experiential programs, driving a big increase in attendance and receiving “experience of a lifetime” customer feedback and an “outstanding” rating from internal teams. BP’s leadership and support for the Paralympics and communities earned the team the Amazing Impact Award from the U.S. Olympic Committee. Most recently, Bauernfeind built a start-up content business at TFA Productions and was executive producer of the film “Empty Net” about Team USA’s Paralympic hockey team, who won gold in dramatic fashion at the Pyeongchang Games despite many obstacles on their journey. It premiered on NBC Sports after Game 4 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. George Bauernfeind George is also a member of USA Triathlon’s Marketing Board, promoting the growth and development of triathlon, serving as a sport ambassador, and providing leadership support of the Marketing and Sponsorship agenda to drive brand, fans, reach and sponsors. Bauernfeind earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. He was first introduced to pickleball six years ago and enjoys playing with his wife Susie and his two young adult sons, John and Zach. USAPA is extremely fortunate to have a person of George’s expertise and professionalism leading our marketing and communications efforts. The Olympic initiatives he spearheaded as a high- level executive will certainly provide USAPA with a targeted approach as we position our organization for substantial growth in the immediate future. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm and will certainly continue to elevate pickleball to the next level and I couldn’t be happier to have him join our team. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | MAGAZINE 9