Kevin Martinez has been promoted to vice president, corporate outreach at ESPN. Martinez served for two years as senior director, corporate outreach. A 25-year industry veteran, Martinez will oversee all aspects of ESPN’s corporate outreach and integrated initiatives including corporate giving, cause marketing and volunteerism. Martinez will continue to work in the Bristol, Conn., office and will now report to Ed Durso, executive vice president, administration.
Among his new responsibilities, Martinez will oversee ESPN’s ongoing collaboration with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, including the Jimmy V Classic, Jimmy V Week, the ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic and ESPN Radio’s “Don’t Ever Give Up” fundraiser. These efforts generate millions of dollars toward cancer research programs each year.
“Giving back in meaningful, strategic ways is not just a priority for our company but something our employees embrace each and every year,” said Durso. “Kevin’s leadership has been and will continue to be an integral part of that continuing commitment.”
Martinez joined ESPN in 2010 to lead the company’s global volunteerism efforts and cause-marketing projects. As senior director, he led ESPN’s award-winning multiplatform Salute to Veterans – an initiative that honors troops and returning veterans with a week of special television programming and digital extensions. It also included USO public service announcements (PSAs) in Spanish and English and hundreds of hours of Team ESPN volunteer service.
Under Martinez’ guidance, ESPN teamed with the Ad Council to develop a PSA to prepare viewers for natural disasters and emergencies as part of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month. Additionally, Martinez’ team has led hundreds of Team ESPN projects. In the past year alone, Team ESPN has logged more than 14,000 documented hours volunteering in local communities.
Prior to ESPN, Martinez served as executive director, corporate social responsibility for KPMG where he led efforts to integrate philanthropy, the KPMG Foundation, sustainability and global development. Martinez previously served as president of The Home Depot Foundation, leading a 20-member North American community affairs team and managing global giving strategies including their nationally recognized response to disasters.
From 2001-2004, Martinez worked for the Starbucks Coffee Co. as senior manager, community affairs, and from 1999-2001 he managed national community and civic affairs for Eddie Bauer Co. From 1996-1999, he served as director, community relations in the King County (Washington) Executive Office, and from 1993-1996 he was executive director of marketing programs for the Seattle Aquarium Society. In 1988, Martinez served as assistant director of marketing programs for the Seattle organizing committee of the 1990 Goodwill Games.
Martinez has received numerous industry awards, including The Cause Marketing Forum’s highest award, “The Halo Award” twice, the US Chamber’s Award for Corporate Citizenship, the Association of Cable Communicators’ prestigious Beacon Award and the 2006 Large Corporation of the Year Award from the Corporation for National Community Service and Points of Light Institute.
A native of ‘Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Martinez graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of arts degree in communications and advertising.
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