USA Swimming Names Matt Farrell Chief Marketing Officer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, December 11. USA Swimming today announced the promotion of Matt Farrell to Chief Marketing Officer. Farrell has served as managing director of business development with the organization since 2005.

"Matt Farrell has done an extraordinary job of overseeing USA Swimming's marketing and promotional efforts. He brings an incredible energy and passion for his work, and has achieved great success with a number of programs this past year and throughout his tenure," said Chuck Wielgus USA Swimming's executive director. "Matt is leader in his field, and he has effectively moved the sport forward through innovative programs and promotions as well as by building and maintaining strong relationships with USA Swimming's corporate sponsors."

Farrell currently oversees USA Swimming's 13 business development staff members in the areas of public relations, events, video production, sponsor services, marketing and publications. He will continue to lead the staff in his new role.

In 2008, Farrell and the Business Development team enjoyed great promotional successes across several departments. Of special note was the creation of the USA Swimming Aqua Zone, a 100,000 square-foot fan experience at the U.S. Olympic Trials which drew thousands of visitors and was hailed as a "runaway success" by the Omaha World-Herald. The division also created the first-ever U.S. Olympic Splash Bash, a grassroots recruiting promotion held in more than 1,200 cities during the Olympic Games. Additionally, 2008 saw public relations success from unprecedented exposure for the sport of swimming to the release of a research study garnering national attention for the drowning epidemic and need for learn-to-swim programming. In an ongoing assignment, Farrell serves as a leader in the development of Swimnetwork.com, USA Swimming's new media venture in collaboration with the Wasserman Media Group and oversees marketing for the USA Swimming Foundation's Make a Splash initiative.

"I have the privilege of working with a talented and dedicated staff and promoting an exceptional product," said Farrell. "USA Swimming and its leadership constantly challenge us to raise the bar on the Olympic sports industry, and I consider myself very fortunate to go to work every day with an organization that is supportive, enthusiastic and innovative, while at the same time carries a rich tradition of excellence."

Prior to his tenure at USA Swimming, Farrell worked seven years for the U.S. Olympic Committee, most recently serving as the associate director of broadcast properties. He also worked as the director of internet marketing for Warner Home Video, where he directed the promotion of DVD releases for The Matrix, the Stanley Kubrick Collection, Humphrey Bogart, Scooby-Doo and more.

Farrell is from Pittsburg, Kan., and resides in Colorado Springs with his wife Michelle, and their two daughters.

Special thanks to USA Swimming for contributing this report.

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