ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Collegiate marketer Learfield announced today that Mark Hamlin will serve as general manager for its Seawolf Sports Properties team solely dedicated to representing University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Airlines Center.
Hamlin begins his new role today, having most recently served as sales manager for Anchorage Convention Centers (SMG of Alaska). During his 10 years in Anchorage, he also has served nearly four years on the Anchorage Glacier Pilots’ Board of Directors and six years as sales account manager for NANA Management Services. With NANA, Hamlin oversaw broad sales activity for four properties in Anchorage including the Courtyard by Marriott, Midtown Springhill Suites by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and University Lake Springhill Suites by Marriott; as well as Fairbanks’ Springhill Suites by Marriott and Kotzebue’s Nullagvik Hotel. Hamlin also spent three years as sales manager for Hilton Anchorage.
“We’re pleased to have Mark overseeing our Anchorage relationship. He has great business acumen and sales and marketing talent that will transition well, in addition to having a deep affinity for this area and established relationships throughout the state,” said Learfield Vice President Mike McCollum.
At Seawolf Sports Properties, Hamlin will lead all aspects of the extensive rights relationship between Learfield, UAA, and the Alaska Airlines Center including signage, sponsorships, corporate hospitality, event marketing including the Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon, radio, television and digital opportunities via goseawolves.com. Additionally, he will work alongside Director of Athletics Keith Hackett and the university athletic department to align initiatives in building the Seawolves brand locally, regionally and nationally.
“Mark is a bright sales leader and has developed a remarkable professional reputation. Our administration looks forward to working with him, and we’re confident he’ll be a great leader for directing our Learfield relationship,” said Hackett.
An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to UAA, it manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for 120 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; branding, licensing and trademark consulting; digital and social platform expertise; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.