Phelps new NASCAR VP of corporate marketing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Amid one of its most successful years ever, NASCAR Monday announced that former NFL marketing executive Steve Phelps has joined NASCAR as Vice President of Corporate Marketing.

Phelps is a 15-year marketing veteran of the NFL and most recently the top sales executive for Wasserman Media Group. He will lead NASCAR's corporate marketing team based in New York to develop relationships with corporate America and bring further sponsorship to NASCAR and its drivers, teams and tracks.

NASCAR also announced the promotion of Roger VanDerSnick to Vice President, Marketing. VanDerSnick, who joined NASCAR in 2000 from Procter & Gamble as Director of Brand and Consumer Marketing, has developed and executed NASCAR's nationwide marketing initiatives to further grow NASCAR's fan and sponsorship base. He will continue to focus on collaborative marketing with NASCAR's three national series sponsors - Nextel, Anheuser-Busch and Craftsman. His team will also support sales and marketing initiatives across all NASCAR offices, including NASCAR Digital Entertainment in Los Angeles, NASCAR Licensing in Charlotte and corporate marketing in New York.

Roger VanDerSnick (left), vice president of marketing for NASCAR and Steve Phelps, vice president of corporate marketing.

"Steve Phelps, one of the best strategic minds in sports, is a tremendous addition to the many talents in NASCAR's New York office, while Roger VanDerSnick represents the 'best in class' talent in our organization," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. "Together, their strategic thinking and expertise will help our sport continue to attract fans and add value for our partners."

Both VanDerSnick and Phelps will report to NASCAR Chief Operating Officer George Pyne. Justin Johnson, Managing Director of Partnership Marketing, who has been instrumental in helping NASCAR sponsors realize a strong return on their investment since he joined NASCAR in 2003, will report to Phelps.

"As NASCAR continues to grow and penetrate the national consciousness, the business of NASCAR has never been better," Pyne said. "In recent months, a number of diverse new sponsors have entered the sport, including Allstate, Checkers, Gulfstream, Home123, Jackson Hewitt, and Office Depot. Additionally, Sears renewed its title sponsorship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The future is bright for NASCAR, and we are poised to enter several new business categories. Our companywide talent, marketing programs and strong core racing product are helping to create a wave of momentum positioning NASCAR, our drivers, teams, and tracks for the next level of growth."

Prior to joining NASCAR, Phelps was Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for Wasserman Media Group. He developed sales channels for music, sports, and other entertainment content, including developing and selling Formula 1 racing sponsorships and naming rights to European sports teams and stadiums, as well as other entertainment content owned by WMG and third parties.

From 1990 - 2004, Phelps held various marketing positions with the NFL. As Vice President of Partnership Marketing, he led one of the largest and most successful sponsorship groups in the world, driving a strategic shift in NFL's sponsorship model and working closely with corporate sponsors on the development and execution of partnerships that leveraged the power of the NFL brand.

Among the sponsorships Phelps helped secure are Coors, Fed-Ex, Snickers, General Motors, Motorola, and Gatorade. He began his career with American Home Products, where he launched new products in the Chef Boyardee brand, and then joined Guinness Import Company as Brand Manager for Bass Ale.

"The roster of brands in NASCAR is a veritable who's who in Corporate America," Phelps said. "This lineup, coupled with the fans' passion for the sport and their loyalty to sponsors, add up to powerful sponsorships," Phelps said. "I'm excited to join the remarkably talented team in New York to develop strategies and programs bringing even greater returns to sponsors."

Roger VanDerSnick joined the NASCAR in 2000 to create and lead the Brand and Consumer Marketing Department. Prior to NASCAR, VanDerSnick spent 15 years with Procter & Gamble, the last seven of which included leading the marketing and branding efforts of several packaged brands. His last position at P&G was brand manager of the company's second largest business, Bounty Paper Towels.