Dan MacKenzie
Dan MacKenzie | |
---|---|
Born | |
Education | BComm, B.Ed., MBM |
Alma mater | McMaster University Brock University George Brown College Ohio University |
Occupation(s) | Sports marketing and sport management |
Employer | Canadian Hockey League |
Known for | Vice-president and managing director of NBA Canada (2014–2019) |
Dan MacKenzie is a Canadian sports administrator and marketing executive. He has served as president of the Canadian Hockey League since September 2019. He served as the vice-president and managing director of National Basketball Association (NBA) Canada from 2014 to 2019, and previously worked for The Sports Network. During his tenure with NBA Canada, he implemented marketing strategies targeted to younger demographics to grow the game in Canada, and he increased the NBA presence using television, advertising, social media and community involvement. He oversaw events which included managing the development NBA Global Games in Europe, 3x3 basketball tournaments in Canada, the NBA Canada Series, and the 2016 NBA All-Star Game.
Early life and education
MacKenzie was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, and is a former school teacher.[1][2][3] He played ice hockey as a youth in Guelph, and attended Guelph Platers games.[4]
He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing at McMaster University in 1992, a Bachelor of Education degree at Brock University in 1995, the sport and event marketing program at George Brown College in 1997, and a Master of Management in sport at Ohio University in 2019.[1][3][5]
Canadian basketball
MacKenzie began working for National Basketball Association (NBA) Canada in 1998, managing events and development of basketball in Canada.[6] From December 2002 to October 2003, he led an NBA project to host exhibition games in Europe as part of NBA Global Games.[5][6] He worked for The Sports Network as the senior marketing manager from October 2003 to October 2004. He returned to NBA Canada in October 2004 as its director of marketing until September 2006. He was promoted to be NBA Canada's general manager in October 2006, and its managing director in January 2011. He was named vice-president and managing director of NBA Canada in January 2014, and serves in the same capacity as of August 2019.[5]
MacKenzie brought in corporate partners to sponsor NBA events which included
From 2010 to 2013, the growth rate for Canadians participating in basketball increased 16%. As of 2010, basketball was the most popular team sport in Canada from the ages of 12 and 17. MacKenzie attributed this to basketball being "easy and inexpensive to play, and a safe sport". He also noted that since the Toronto Raptors began play in 1995, "what you are seeing now with the growth of the sport, is the first generation of kids who have grown up with the NBA being a strong element in their lives".[9]
MacKenzie aimed to increase apparel sales, social media presence and broadcasts for basketball in Canada. He stated that in 2013, Adidas basketball apparel sales had increased 103% in one year, and that the NBA was recognized by Mashable as one of the top-engaged brands on Twitter in 2013.[8] He wanted to increase accessibility of NBA basketball games in Canada through cable television packages which included NBA League Pass to see Toronto Raptors and other out-of-town games. He stated that broadcast ratings grew approximately 19% in one year.[8] As of 2013, fans could view up to 300 games per year on television.[9] He used local events to engage new fans, which coincided with the NBA Canada Series beginning in 2012. He also wanted to ensure leaving a legacy in those communities, which including upgrades to local recreational and basketball facilities.[8] In 2013, the NBA added a "Play Ball" section to its web site in English and French, to facilitate increased player registrations in youth clubs across Canada.[10]
"Under Dan's leadership, basketball and the NBA's popularity in Canada have grown to all-time highs. Among Dan's many accomplishments, he oversaw the success of NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto, the expansion of our Jr. NBA program, and most recently a record-setting season for the NBA in Canada."
—Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner, July 2019[3]
In 2013, MacKenzie was part of Toronto's successful bid to host the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, and stated that "the time was right" to bring the event outside of the United States for the first time. He estimated that it would bring $80 million to $100 million into Toronto's economy.[11] He also announced contracts with Air Miles and Bank of Montreal, and said that Canadian-based sponsors were coming onboard due to the growing fan base in Canada, highlighting that the NBA had 650,000 Canadian followers on Twitter by 2016.[11]
In May 2019, MacKenzie stated the NBA had reached a peak in Canadian sponsorship to date, with 32 partners including
MacKenzie resigned effective August 15, 2019, and was succeeded by Leah MacNab.[16]
Canadian Hockey League
On July 30, 2019, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced MacKenzie was hired as its first full-time president.[1][3] CHL president David Branch said that, "Dan has a unique combination of league operations, sports marketing and business experience along with being a former school teacher. His experience will help the CHL continue to grow and expand our programs and player experience". MacKenzie has stated he looks forward to building on the relationships that CHL teams have with their communities.[1][2][3] He took over in September 2019 from Branch, who had served as president since 1996.[2]
![Silver bowl trophy with two large handles, mounted on a wide black plinth engraved with team names on silver plates.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Memorial_Cup_at_the_2015_championship.jpg/180px-Memorial_Cup_at_the_2015_championship.jpg)
In October 2019, MacKenzie stated it was a priority to grow the CHL's brand and build upon the experience for players and spectators, and to bring national events such as the Memorial Cup to smaller communities. He also stated the need to promote the CHL's scholarship program, which exceeds a $10-million investment each year for the future of players who have careers outside of hockey.[4]
On October 16, 2019, MacKenzie announced Kubota as the title sponsor of the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game beginning with the 2020 event.[17] In November 2019, he announced that Wawanesa Insurance had partnered with the CHL for a Christmas Toy drive.[18]
In March 2020, the CHL and its constituent leagues cancelled the remainder of the 2019–20 regular seasons, playoffs and the
Personal life
MacKenzie resides in Guelph, Ontario, and is married with two children as of 2019.[3][6] He became a volunteer board member for the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC) in 2010, and was elected its new chairman in January 2013.[20] He stepped down from the SMCC in 2015.[5] He later volunteered for the board of directors of Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association Canada,[3] and has been a committee member for the sports celebrity festival hosted by Special Olympics Canada.[6]
Awards
MacKenzie was named one of the George Brown College alumni Five to Watch, and received the college's Alumni Achievement Award.[3][5] He served as co-chairman of the Five to Watch event in 2013.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d Beneteau, Josh (July 30, 2019). "CHL hires NBA executive Dan MacKenzie to be first full-time president". Sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c Zwolinski, Mark (July 30, 2019). "Dan MacKenzie named CHL's first full-time president". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Harrigan, Scott (July 30, 2019). "CHL Names Dan MacKenzie First Full-Time President". Independent Sports News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b "In Conversation: CHL President Dan MacKenzie". Ontario Hockey League. October 30, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Dan MacKenzie – Vice President & Managing Director – National Basketball Association (NBA)". LinkedIn. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Dan MacKenzie". Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ Laird, Kristin (May 13, 2008). "NBA Canada inks cheesy deal". Marketing Magazine. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Ovsey, Dan (June 5, 2013). "How the NBA doubled basketball engagement levels in Canada with only one team". Financial Post. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c Jessop, Alicia (July 12, 2013). "How Basketball Overtook Hockey As The Most Popular Youth Sport In Canada". Forbes. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ "NBA going all out to grow game in Canada". Edmonton Sun. September 12, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Barrabi, Thomas (February 12, 2016). "NBA All-Star Weekend 2016 Invades Toronto". Fox Business. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Rush, Curtis (May 23, 2019). "Toronto Raptors At The Forefront Of A Golden Age For Basketball In Canada". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
- ^ Stinson, Scott (May 31, 2019). "Scott Stinson: Amid sudden outbreaks of basketball fever, Canada embraces a team from … Toronto?". National Post. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ a b "Three Canadian Networks To Air Live WNBA Games". WNBA.com. June 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "NBA, Canada Basketball unite to boost youth outreach". France 24. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- ^ "NBA names Leah MacNab Managing Director of NBA Canada". NBA. July 30, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ "CHL welcomes Kubota as Top Prospects Game title partner". Top Prospects. Canadian Hockey League. October 16, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ "Wawanesa Insurance launches toy donation drive with Canadian Hockey League". Insurance Business Magazine. November 18, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ Koshan, Terry (May 6, 2020). "CHL president Dan MacKenzie optimistic, keeps avenues open for eventual return". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ Maloney, Val (January 4, 2013). "SMCC names new chair". Media in Canada. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.