Experience Kissimmee is welcoming new Vice President of Marketing and Communications Casey Leppanen to the team.
Leppanen’s arrival comes as local tourism is beginning a strong rebound due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to his new role, Leppanen served as director of marketing and fan development for Sharks Sports and Entertainment headquartered in San Jose, Calif. He was recruited to transform the San Jose Sharks business practices, marketing strategy and strategic direction across various levels of the organization. He and his team helped to set almost every franchise record for the company, from single-game ticket sales revenue to fan engagement. Leppanen led the team toward winning more than 10 awards including a Nor Cal Area Emmy Award and a Bay Area JD Power Award for Fan Experience.
Leppanen plans to bring those same collaborative skills to Experience Kissimmee, as he thrives best in a position in which he can develop both short- and long-term marketing strategy and strategic direction across various levels of the organization. He works to ensure all team members have input in creating that direction and are part of the execution – all to collectively achieve common goals.
“The Executive Team and I truly felt Casey was a great fit for our Experience Kissimmee family during his interview process,” said DT Minich, president and CEO of Experience Kissimmee. “We look forward to his many creative ideas for our Marketing and Communications Team.”
Before his leadership role for the San Jose Sharks, Leppanen spent 10 years with sports and live events leader AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), serving as senior director of marketing and broadcasting for the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center. He oversaw many areas of marketing, media, and business development, and played a key role in driving digital and social media innovation. He and his team crafted marketing and advertising plans for international soccer matches featuring some of the world’s greatest soccer stars; as well as David Beckham and other athletes. Leppanen also understands the importance and needs of international markets, which is especially important for Experience Kissimmee’s consumer base.
Leppanen has taught advertising and sports marketing classes, outside of his professional career, as an adjunct faculty member in the University of San Francisco’s Sport Management Graduate School Program, Cal State Dominguez Hills Sport Management Program and Menlo College’s Sport Management Program. He hopes to share his extensive knowledge and expertise with the team.
“Ultimately, I want to work for a company that has great culture, is innovative, pushes boundaries, and celebrates our successes. Experience Kissimmee and this area are really special,” said Leppanen. “I hope to be a shining light for my staff and our organization. Someone who cannot only help the team grow professionally but help elevate Experience Kissimmee to even higher highs as we move through the next phase of our brand evolution.”
A California native, Leppanen said he was excited to move cross-country with his wife and three children. He said they look forward to checking off all the activities on their Central Florida to-do list, especially Kissimmee’s outdoor attractions.
