Harlem Globetrotters Promote Brett Meister to Senior VP of Communications

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider announced today that Brett Meister has been promoted to senior vice president of communications for the legendary team for which he has spearheaded successful domestic and international publicity campaigns for 15 seasons, placing the Globetrotters front and center in the media spotlight with their millions of fans.

“Brett has done an amazing job of re-igniting the Harlem Globetrotters’ pop-culture flame”

“Brett has done an amazing job of re-igniting the Harlem Globetrotters’ pop-culture flame,” said Schneider. “He, and his team, have worked tirelessly to make stars of this new generation of Globetrotters; from national appearances on ‘The Amazing Race,’ ‘The Bachelorette,’ ESPN, ‘Sesame Street,’ ‘Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader,’ and more, to creating local headlines in all 220-plus North American markets the team visits, Brett gets the word out in creative and compelling ways. He also spearheaded the development of our popular character education program for elementary school children and the new bullying prevention program we are about to launch.”

Meister completed his 15^th consecutive season with the Globetrotters in 2012, leading the team's overall domestic and international publicity efforts. He has grown annual coverage for the Globetrotters by nearly 507 percent over a six-year period (2007-2012), including an all-time record of more than 2.8 billion media impressions in 2012. Meister's communications team was honored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2010 for excellence in reputation management, and won two straight Silver SABRE Awards from the Holmes Report (2009 and 2010) for Best Arts, Entertainment or Media Campaign.

In addition to overseeing the Globetrotters' Hollywood outreach efforts, Meister is routinely responsible for securing national TV hits on “TODAY,” “Good Morning America,” “Fox & Friends,” and numerous segments on the ESPN family of networks. Other highlights during his tenure with the Globetrotters included a visit he arranged with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 2002, two separate visits to Iraq as part of the team’s annual holiday military tour to entertain troops, and two trips to the White House as part of the Annual Easter Egg Roll.

Prior to joining the Globetrotters in November 1997, Meister worked in the Continental Basketball Association for seven years, where he served as the league's VP of Communications. He also worked as part of the basketball press information team for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

A native of Marcus, Iowa, and a graduate of Briar Cliff University, Meister began his professional career as a television reporter and news editor (KTIV-TV, NBC) before serving as a college sports information director for three years.

Sponsored by Howard Johnson Hotels, Greyhound Lines, Spalding, and Russell Athletic, the Original Harlem Globetrotters will celebrate their 87^th consecutive year in 2013, continuing a world-famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. The Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans. For the latest news and information, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.