AUCKLAND, Today: TVNZ has appointed seasoned commercial leader Kerry Leonard as its new Sport & Enterprise Partnership Lead, a role created to strengthen client partnerships across the broadcaster’s growing sports portfolio.
Kerry brings two decades of experience in media and brand partnerships, including senior roles at Knack by Warner Bros Discovery, Discovery Inc., and Culture – The Social Agency.
Her appointment comes as TVNZ ramps up its sports coverage, with a dedicated sport hub on TVNZ+ and plans already in motion for FIFA World Cup 26™, offering both free-to-air and pay TV options.
“The sheer volume and variety of sport we now have on offer at TVNZ made it critical to have someone in our sales team dedicated to working with clients on these opportunities,” says Chief Revenue Officer Valerie Walshe.
“I’ve spent over 20 years building partnerships in media, and still get genuinely excited when I see an opportunity to connect brands with audiences in ways that actually matter.” – Kerry Leonard
“We’re delighted to have Kerry on board to ensure brands make the most of amazing sporting moments like the summer of Cricket, FIFA, the ANZ Netball Premiership, provincial rugby and more.”
“I’ve spent over 20 years building partnerships in media, and still get genuinely excited when I see an opportunity to connect brands with audiences in ways that actually matter,” says Leonard.
“Sports partnerships are particularly interesting to me because the passion is real – people care, they engage, they remember. The opportunity to work for TVNZ, a brand that Kiwis really trust, was one I couldn’t resist.”
“I’m excited to build great relationships with existing partners, connect with enterprise clients who might not yet have considered TVNZ, and explore partnership models that go beyond traditional sponsorship – things that make brands say, ‘now that’s clever’.”
Kerry officially steps into the role on 20 October.
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