Joelle Downes is Vice President Creative Planning, Synergy Strategy & Solutions at ESPN where she drives collaboration, innovation, and strategic alignment across The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). A dynamic marketing executive with over two decades of experience, Joelle specializes in bridging teams, integrating content and marketing strategies, and delivering impactful synergy initiatives across Disney’s vast portfolio. As a member of TWDC’s Synergy Executive Committee, she plays a key role in shaping and executing company-wide priorities.

For more than 20 years, Joelle has led ESPN’s Synergy efforts, forging strategic partnerships across Disney Entertainment, Disney Studios, ABC, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, and Disney Experiences. She ensures that ESPN’s brand, content, and marketing initiatives align seamlessly with TWDC’s broader objectives, maximizing collaboration and impact. She also works closely with major league partners, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and College Football Playoff, to develop cross-platform initiatives that drive engagement and mutual success. Her ability to bring together diverse teams and stakeholders has been a driving force behind some of ESPN’s most high-profile and innovative campaigns.

In addition to her Synergy leadership, Joelle oversees the Creative Planning team.  This group manages critical operational details, from budgets and technology to strategic planning on behalf of ESPN’s Creative Studio. The team optimizes processes, builds global partnerships, and facilitates collaboration across departments—all to ensure alignment and drive value for ESPN.

Throughout her career, Joelle has been instrumental in ESPN’s Audience Expansion Priority and broader business operations. She’s played a key role in marquee initiatives including Monday Night Football, the College Football Playoff, the ESPYs, and the launch of ESPN+. Joelle was also central to the development of animated alt-casts, including the Emmy-winning Toy Story Funday Football. Previously, she led ESPN’s Content Integration, and Ad Standards teams, aligning editorial, sales, and sponsorship while upholding quality and compliance across platforms.

Joelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Originally from Livingston, NJ, she now resides in New York City with her husband, two daughters, and their yellow lab.