Former Nike CMO and Olympic athlete to provide global brand expertise to professional sports properties as newest member of the Arctos Operating Platform
Arctos, a private investment firm that provides bespoke growth capital and liquidity solutions to sports franchises (Arctos Sports) and alternative asset managers (Arctos Keystone), today announced that DJ van Hameren has joined the company as an Operating Advisor.
Bringing more than 30 years of executive global brand leadership and stewardship to the role, van Hameren previously served as Chief Marketing Officer of Nike (NYSE:NKE), where he led a global team of more than 2,000 people; managed a multi-billion-dollar operating budget; and amassed broad experience across geographies, territories, cities, teams, functions and businesses. Van Hameren was also Executive Vice President, Olympics for NIKE Inc., where he led enterprise planning across Nike, Jordan and Converse in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games.
"We are delighted to welcome DJ as the newest member of the Arctos Operating Platform, which today includes more than 10 Operating Partners and Advisors who enhance Arctos' value-add capabilities," said Doc O'Connor, co-founder and managing partner of Arctos. "DJ's expertise across brand marketing, product management, athlete & influencer management, merchandising and sponsorship strategy will be a significant resource for our professional sports organizations."
The Arctos Operating Platform comprises industry experts in areas such as international expansion, tech & innovation, real estate, franchise & league operations, media and ticketing, who lend their expertise to the firm and its Arctos Sports portfolio.
"Arctos has innovated an approach to investing across premium sports properties that is anchored in helping these teams and organizations find new ways to generate revenue, build brand and elevate the consumer experience," said van Hameren. "I look forward to working with the Arctos team as they continue to partner with exceptional professional sports owners and help them build brand value and growth through consumer engagement."
Van Hameren is also a partner and co-founder at Superconnector Sports, a brand entertainment agency, as well as the founder and principal of Mailroom Marathon 7, a brand management, marketing and business advisory firm. Prior to joining Nike, van Hameren was a two-time Olympian and former professional track cyclist, representing the Netherlands at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He also served on the Athletes Board for the Dutch Olympic Committee.
About Arctos
Arctos is a private investment firm that provides bespoke growth capital and liquidity solutions, differentiated thought partnership, and value creation advice to sports franchises (Arctos Sports) and alternative asset managers, their funds, and portfolio companies (Arctos Keystone). Founded in 2019, Arctos serves as a catalyst for innovation and business transformation for its portfolio companies and its markets. The firm's proprietary approach is anchored by its unique quantitative research and data science platform, Arctos Insights. Arctos has a team of more than 65 investment and operational professionals with investment and operating expertise across industries, geographies, and economic cycles. The firm is headquartered in Dallas, with office locations in New York, and London. For more information, visit www.arctospartners.com or Arctos' company page on LinkedIn.
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