Pascal Fratellia, head of football rights at the EBU since 2007, has been promoted to the newly created position of commercial director, effective September.
The appointment comes as Eurovision Sport seeks to expand its commercial footprint and step up its rights acquisitions on behalf of EBU Members.
With 25 years of experience in the sector, Fratellia takes charge of commercial activities at Eurovision Sport, with the head of sales reporting to him.
During his time as head of football rights, he significantly developed the EBU football rights portfolio, notably with the acquisition of rights – on behalf of approximately 40 EBU Members – of the FIFA World Cups 2018 and 2022, UEFA Euro 2012 and 2016, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 and more recently the next UEFA Women’s Euro.
Fratellia joined the EBU from the FFF, the French Football Federation, where he was deputy director of the TV & Marketing Department. He was also a UEFA Champions League venue director for 12 seasons, as well as FIFA match commissioner for some matches.
In his new role, he will report to Glen Killane, executive director of Eurovision Sport, who welcomed the appointment, saying: “Delivering the best sports rights on behalf of our members is our core mission. We are also defined by solid and lasting relationships with our partners. The pandemic has proven we are the most trusted partner in the business.
“This newly-created role is a statement that we see real potential to grow for the benefit of members and partners alike. Pascal brings huge experience in negotiations and a long track record of success from his years in football. Under his leadership I am certain that he and the sales team will continue to add real value for EBU members and deliver innovative and exciting opportunities in the commercial space”.
Fratellia said: “I feel extremely privileged to be offered this new challenge at the EBU. I will continue to serve our members and values with the same humility, determination and passion as I have always done over the last years”.
His appointment follows that of Germany’s Adrian Fikentscher, who was appointed director of acquisitions in May.
