RM Nephew and Associates Finds Two Executives for Madison Square Garden
June 27, 2018 – Executive recruitment firm RM Nephew and Associates has placed two new executives for the Madison Square Garden Co. (MSG) as MSG undergoes a major strategic and global transformation. Both searches were led by Robert Nephew, managing partner, and Denise Amari, partner and head of the financial officers practice.
John Walsh was named MSG’s senior vice president of finance, venue operations. Spiros Christoforatos is the company’s new vice president and controller, entertainment segment and venues.
In his new role, Mr. Walsh will serve as a strategic and financial partner to the venue operations team. A former executive for the Walt Disney Co., Mr. Walsh is described as having strategic vision, deep financial knowledge and a strong data analytics background. “John has an impressive background in leading organizations through transformation,” said Ms. Amari. “His deep knowledge of venue management and his collaborative leadership style made him a great culture fit for Madison Square Garden.”
Mr. Christoforatos will have overall financial accounting responsibility for MSG’s seven entertainment venues. Previously, he was controller for the Cable Entertainment Group, a division of NBCUniversal. Mr. Christoforatos was considered a critical leader in developing the organization’s international infrastructure. “Spiros’ strong knowledge of financial fundamentals, as well as his ability to partner successfully with the functional leaders of the organization, will make him a valuable leader for MSG,” said Ms. Amari.
Big Growth in Store as Executive Recruiters Slowly Adapt to Automated Technologies
The executive search industry’s leading 50 players in the Americas once again surpassed $3 billion in revenues last year, according to industry newsletter ESR, in a market intelligence briefing just released by Hunt Scanlon Media.
Seven Venues
The Madison Square Garden Co. operates and manages seven venues: Madison Square Garden, the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre, the Forum and the Wang Theatre. Other MSG properties include sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); two development league teams, the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and one of the leading North American esports organizations, Counter Logic Gaming. In addition, MSG features the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, a popular original production. Through Boston Calling Events, the company also produces outdoor festivals, including the Boston Calling Music Festival. Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group, a world‐class hospitality group with entertainment dining and nightlife brands: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, the Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex and Vandal.
As part of its transformation, MSG last year retained executive search firm Buffkin / Baker to lead the search for a new executive vice president and chief communications officer. Partner Warren Wasp is spearheading that search along with associate Rachel Jonkers.
Select the Right Search Firm
Find out why CHROs and talent acquisition leaders turn to Hunt Scanlon’s Industry Media Center for the latest news and updates on executive search firms around the globe. Become a new member today.
| Click Here |
Partnership-Driven Solutions
RM Nephew and Associates, based in Boston and New York, provides partnership-driven solutions to business leadership and recruitment challenges worldwide. The firm specializes in providing executive search services for clients within the healthcare, technology, supply chain, warehousing, distribution & manufacturing, and professional services industries. Its clients range from Fortune 500 companies to mid-size firms to private equity and venture-backed start-ups. RM Nephew and Associates has core experience partnering with privately held family-owned firms.
Mr. Nephew founded RM Nephew and Associates LLC with more than 35 years executive search experience. He has built his career within the technology, professional services and healthcare industries. Areas of expertise include human resources, board of directors and financial officer disciplines. Through his extensive work in these areas, Mr. Nephew has refined techniques for placing senior leaders who serve as trusted advisors to the CEO on a range of strategic business matters. His clients value the insights he brings from recruiting success within their niche sectors and functional areas, as well as his work on both the provider and client side of the business.
Ms. Amari, a partner with RM Nephew, joined the firm in 2015. She has a strong background in executive recruiting as well as extensive business operations experience. She started her career at Deloitte serving in both the audit and tax practices. Then, at the Boston Consulting Group, she spent three years in Asia helping to expand the firm’s presence in the region. Moving to Viant, a high-growth technology services firm, she was an integral part of the company’s IPO process. Prior to joining RM Nephew and Associates, Ms. Amari developed clients and recruited leadership talent in a variety of sectors, including technology, life sciences and renewable energy for BFS Associates.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
