Doug Billman, who for ten years was the Managing Director of European Tour Productions, is to provide his services directly to The European Tour as Managing Director, Americas, effective immediately. Billman, who has most recently been Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of Worldwide Operations for TWI Interactive in Boston, left to start his own consulting business and has agreed to make The European Tour his principal client in a multi-year agreement. With more than 20 years experience in sports marketing, corporate consulting, television production and distribution, Billman will give the Tour an important presence in this key market.
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: "Doug has a superb reputation in our sport in sectors so important to the development of The European Tour such as cultivating partnerships and relationships with corporate clients, interactive networks and technology companies.
"Doug created and led the development of European Tour Productions, the joint-venture company The European Tour has developed with TWI, from start-up to its establishment in securing international television and multi-media arrangements that spread the message and enjoyment of golf.
"We very much welcome Doug to The European Tour in the knowledge that his superb expertise will further strengthen our sales division specifically in the United States where our Members continue to enjoy increasing popularity through The Golf Channel with its 24-hour-a-day cable network which has approaching 55 million subscribers."
Billman said: "I am delighted to be renewing my relationship with The European Tour. The formidable work achieved by The European Tour in the 1990s has come to fruition in the form of an excellent International Schedule with strong sponsor support, a broad range of broadcaster relationships and, of course, a vibrant and healthy Ryder Cup. I will endeavour to contribute to all of these relationships and more through the forthcoming years."
Billman, aged 48, who is married to Zoe with three children and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, will be responsible for seeking sponsorship support for The European Tour International Schedule and The Ryder Cup Matches; assisting in liaising with the PGA of America relative to operational and commercial projects involving The Ryder Cup; and a broad range of broadcaster relationships (including The Golf Channel in the United States).
