The horse racing leader Woodbine Entertainment has revealed its latest addition to its management team. The company has officially acquired the services of experienced sports operative Michael Copeland and he will take over the position of Chief Commercial Officer. The company believes that Mr. Copeland will bring plenty of valuable practice and knowledge as it eyes further development.
As already mentioned the new CCO has more than enough of prized experience to help him in his new journey. Previously, Mr. Copeland has most recently established his own business based on growth and transformation in the sports industry. Before that, he was CEO of the Toronto Argonauts for around 3 years and COO of the Canadian Football league for almost ten years.
Valuable Asset
Current CEO of the live harness leader Jim laws has praised the recently acquired asset for the company. Mr. Lawson stated that with the tremendous growth opportunity that lies ahead of the company, it is excited to welcome Mr. Copeland aboard. The CEO continued by saying that Mr. Copeland is a strong, visionary leader, who has all the needed qualities to lead the company’s commercial campaign forward.
In his new role at the horse racing corporation, Mr. Copeland will be responsible for its business development, digital strategy, marketing, sponsorships, broadcast, and customer experience strategies. His appointment comes just in time when the corporation continues its efforts into expanding itself as one of the biggest players in the Canadian sports betting industry.
Mr. Copeland himself has also shared a few thoughts on his appointment. He stated that Woodbine Entertainment is already one of the biggest sports and entertainment companies in horse racing, and it provides over 50,000 jobs to Canadians. He admitted that he and his family are big live harness fans and that he is honored to join a company with such a rich history and bright future.
The new CCO term begins this month on May 10. Additionally, the corporation has informed that Christina Litz who was the company’s Vice President, Media, Digital, Business, and Revenue Development since 2019 has stepped down from the position. Ms. Litz will now join the team of True North Sports and Entertainment in Winnipeg as its Chief Brand and Commercial Officer.
Training Recommences
Due to the ongoing stay-at-home order in Ontario, the live harness leader had to close down its horse racing facilities in the province. But the company was able to reopen its Woodbine Mohawk Park track for training operations on May 6, 2021. However, trainers have to comply with the health and safety measures that have been issued by the provincial government.
Official Request
Prior to that, in order to fight for the horse racing industry, the CEO of the corporation Mr. Lawson has sent an official letter of request to the mayor of Milton Gordon Krantz. In the letter, the CEO explains how the new lockdown has unfairly treated the industry as other sports were allowed to restart behind closed doors. He stated that the suspension of the industry could have serious long-lasting negative effects on the live harness sport.
Source: “Copeland Joins Woodbine Entertainment”, Standardbred Canada, May 4, 2021
