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Lou DePaoli joined the Atlanta Spirit organization in May 2005 and holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Thrashers (NHL), and Philips Arena. DePaoli oversees all marketing, ticket sales, sponsorship sales, communications and community development efforts for the organization. Under his direction, the Thrashers have enjoyed a successful re-launch campaign after the 2004-05 NHL lockout season. After six weeks of the 2005-06 season Thrashers attendance has increased +14.1%; resulting in more than 2,000 more fans per game. In addition, the Thrashers launched the successful Blueland marketing campaign that has been widely acclaimed as one of the top integrated and innovative marketing campaigns in the industry.
At the same time, DePaoli has overseen a significant increase in Hawks season ticket sales and revenue. For the first time in seven seasons, the Hawks have increased their full season ticket base, in spite of a franchise worst record of 13-69 in 2004-05. The Hawks have currently sold more than 1,800 new full season plans, which is an increase of 412% from the 352 new full plans that were sold in 2004-05, and a 4,765% increase from the 37 new full plans sold in 2003-04.
Prior to joining Atlanta Spirit, DePaoli was the NBA's Vice President of Team Marketing and Business Development in the Team Marketing and Business Operations Department. His primary responsibility was to work exclusively with NBA, WNBA, and NBDL senior management on all business initiatives, which included improving game attendance, ticket sales, sponsor sales and service, marketing, advertising and promotions under the direction of current Atlanta Spirit President and CEO Bernie Mullin the first four seasons. During DePaoli’s final season at the NBA, the league set its all-time high in attendance and gate receipts. DePaoli, who started at the NBA League Office in December 2000, also spent considerable time performing sales training across the three leagues.
Before joining the NBA, DePaoli worked for the Florida Marlins Baseball Club from 1996 through 2000 and most recently was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the club, where his duties included overseeing ticket sales, sponsorship sales, marketing and customer service. While with the Marlins, DePaoli oversaw the largest attendance increase in Major League Baseball during the 1997 season, with an increase of 34%. During that same season, the Marlins became the first Major League Baseball team in history to ever sell over 500,000 tickets in a single postseason, while posting the second-highest World Series attendance in history.
DePaoli was also the subject of the Sports Illustrated article "Fishing For Marlins Fans written by acclaimed columnist Rick Reilly in the March 9, 1998 issue.
Prior to joining the Marlins in 1996, DePaoli was Vice President of Sales for the Worcester IceCats Hockey Club of the American Hockey League (AHL) from the inaugural 1994-95 season through the beginning of the 1996-97 season. During the 1995-96 season, the IceCats set an American Hockey League (AHL) record for the most group tickets sold in one season.
Preceding DePaoli’s career in professional sports he was in the insurance industry and owned his own insurance agency in Worcester, Mass. after a five-year stint with Prudential Insurance Company of America in Auburn, Mass.
The Connecticut native is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts where he earned a BA in Management of Professional Sports Organizations. While a student he utilized the landmark text book Sport Marketing penned by Atlanta Spirit President and CEO Dr. Bernard J. Mullin.
DePaoli currently lives in Kennesaw, Ga. with his wife, Kathy, and two daughters, Ryan and Emily. | 