Kathryn Deichert

Lead end-to-end media strategy & investment across ESPN's portfolio, defining the roles of integrated video, streaming, CTV, online video, social video, programmatic, OOH, and custom media partnerships within full-funnel plans.

• Led $16MM brand media strategy for ESPN's inaugural year of WWE rights and Premium Live Events
• Shifted WWE brand perception on ESPN's streaming service, with DISQO brand lift showing +7ppt favorability and +8ppt watch intent at launch (90% significance) and attitudes continuing to rise through WrestleMania
• Led NBA Finals brand strategy, including the NBA x ESPN Spotify Finals Watch Party (252 attendees), which generated ~$500K in projected earned media value, with over half of creator audiences in ESPN's 18-24 target.
• Co-Led $25MM brand media strategy for the launch of ESPN's standalone direct-to-consumer streaming service and enhanced ESPN App, partnering with the acquisition team to connect brand and performance across the full funnel; high-impact roadblocks across 17 platforms reached 85% of potential sports streaming subscribers, driving 77% app recognition, record aided awareness (89% of growth from younger and casual fans), and $11M in earned media value.
• Direct ESPN's top subscription and awareness driver, College Football and the College Football Playoff, leading a $10MM+ brand campaign with always-on acquisition support.
• Pioneered TikTok's first-to-market Branded Search Hub for the inaugural 12-team CFP, a $2MM social activation that drove 1M+ unique page views (17x typical performance), a CTR 228% above industry average, and an 88% tune-in lift that converted 2.3M households, over 1M of them incremental (Samba TV).
• Exceeded industry benchmarks by activating 20+ alpha and beta opportunities per year across social, CTV, and digital, driving innovation and first-to-market execution.
• Manage $40MM in ESPN portfolio budgets and financial operations, ensuring accuracy through accrual management, budget shift tracking, and monthly internal Publicis billing and reconciliation.
• Directly manage and mentor a team of 5, retaining all five for 2-3 years while fostering a high-performing culture and serving as a central connector across stakeholders.
• Present strategic recommendations to SVP-level stakeholders, influencing direction and investment decisions, and provide monthly and quarterly forecasting, actuals reporting, and executive updates on portfolio partnerships and Publicis growth initiatives.

Recognition & Leadership Development

• Selected for Zenith’s Rising Leader Mentoring Program, a high-potential initiative pairing top talent with senior leadership for accelerated development
• Consistently recognized as top-tier talent through annual receipt of the Publicis Groupe Client Bonus, an executive-awarded distinction

• Managed day-to-day strategic planning and execution across key ESPN campaigns and properties.
• Recognized as a critical driver of team integration and performance, unifying internal and client teams into a more cohesive, high-performing organization.
• Strengthened team culture and mentorship, improving collaboration, retention, and overall team effectiveness.

• Managed day-to-day client communications and led campaign execution across key ESPN tentpole properties, including WNBA, College Football/CFP, ACC Network, SEC Network, NHL, and espnW.
• Provided final quality assurance and oversight for media platform builds across social (TikTok, Meta, Snapchat, Reddit, and X), programmatic (DV360 and The Trade Desk), and Google Search.
• Developed cross-channel media strategies using audience insights, reach and frequency analysis, GWI/MRI data, and Comscore reporting to optimize campaign performance.
• Partnered with media vendors to drive seamless campaign activation, foster innovation, and ensure successful execution.
• Managed campaign media workbooks and budgets, maintaining financial accuracy, pacing, and overall media stewardship.

• Executed hands-on campaign management across social, programmatic, and Google Search platforms, building and managing workflows in Publicis planning and buying systems (Growth OS, Prisma, MBOX, MediaTools).
• Monitored performance, budgets, and pacing to optimize delivery, and oversaw vendor invoicing and reconciliation to keep financial records accurate and payments timely.
• Developed and delivered campaign performance reports with insights and optimization recommendations for internal stakeholders and clients.

• Supported negotiation, placement, and stewardship of Spot TV, Radio, Cable, and OTT schedules for Nissan, McDonald’s, and the U.S. Army, coordinating between investment, planning, and local market buyers.