Syracuse Athletics Names Johnson Chief Marketing Officer
10/15/2026 1:29:00 PM | General
Veteran sports and entertainment executive and Newhouse alumnus returns to his alma mater after working with the NBA, ESPN, Bleacher Report and Complex Networks to lead brand strategy, fan engagement and audience growth.
Syracuse University Athletics has named Charles Johnson '05 its Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Marketing Officer, bringing an accomplished sports and entertainment marketing executive back to his alma mater.
Johnson brings nearly two decades of experience building brands, developing audiences and creating innovative fan experiences across professional sports, media and entertainment. He will lead Syracuse Athletics' marketing, communications, creative, content and digital strategy, fan experience and audience development efforts, with an emphasis on expanding the Orange brand's national reach and deepening connections with fans, alumni and students.
"We're building a Syracuse Athletics department that thinks and operates differently, and Charles brings exactly the kind of experience and perspective we need to help lead that transformation," said Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair. "He has worked with some of the most influential brands in sports and entertainment, developing innovative fan experiences, compelling content and strategies that build passionate communities. We have an extraordinary brand, a passionate fan base and one of the most iconic venues in college sports. Charles will help us unlock that potential, expand our national reach and create experiences that make people feel even more connected to the Orange. The fact that he's coming home to his alma mater makes this even more special."
At Complex Networks, Johnson served as Director of Marketing Strategy and Product Marketing, helping lead brand strategy, audience growth and storytelling across six properties reaching more than 71 million fans monthly. He developed the brand marketing strategy for ComplexLand, an immersive digital entertainment experience that attracted more than 700,000 attendees and generated more than four million engagements over two days. He also expanded the Hot Ones Game Show franchise through live experiences.
"I've been preparing for this opportunity longer than I knew this role existed. I grew up with Syracuse Athletics all around me - basketball camp every summer, football Saturdays, learning lacrosse by watching some of the best and learning the business side on campus and becoming a Newhouse graduate," Johnson said. "Syracuse helped shape how I think about sports, storytelling, community and the power of belonging. I'm incredibly excited to bring everything I've learned back home and help build the next chapter of Orange, expanding the reach of the brand, and creating deeper connections among our athletes, alumni, fans and the broader Syracuse community."
At Bleacher Report, Johnson served as Director of Brand Marketing and helped develop the company's first NBA All-Star activation, which connected athletes, creators and sponsors to generate over $4 million in revenue.
"When Charles and I worked together, he was a key cross-functional partner that not only over delivered as a partner but led the marketing efforts with true passion and his leadership inspired other teams," said Neil Wright, Vice President of Brand Experiences at Fanatics, who previously led Complex's collaborations and experiential marketing with Johnson.
Earlier, Johnson worked at ESPN, where he led brand activation and sponsorship representation at live games and built season-long sponsored content programs, including brand partnerships with notable ESPN personalities and national brands.
"I had the pleasure of working alongside Charles at ESPN. He's the rare marketer who pairs a bold creative vision with a clear understanding of what brands need." said Carrie Brzezinski-Hsu, head of Disney Main Street. "He consistently went above and beyond for his clients, and the relationships he built lasted because partners trusted him."
He began his career with the NBA, serving as a league-wide resource within Team Marketing and Business Operations, supporting game presentation and in-arena entertainment across the NBA and WNBA.
Johnson most recently served as Vice President of Marketing at CXTec, where he led an enterprise-wide brand transformation. He also served as Senior Director of Integrated Marketing at CSM Sport & Entertainment, where he guided sponsorship activation and live sports experiences. Johnson graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in 2005 with a degree in public relations. He later earned an MBA in brand management, marketing and strategy from the University of Rochester in 2014.
