Photo by: Northwestern Athletics
Savanna Wood Named Chief Communications and Branding Officer for Northwestern Athletics
4/17/2025 10:00:00 AM | General
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern University has announced the appointment of Savanna Wood as its inaugural Chief Communications and Branding Officer (CCBO) for Northwestern Athletics. Wood, who joins NU from the University of Miami, will assume her new role April 29.
"Savanna's overall understanding of our industry and where it is headed, and her impressive background in developing and executing impactful marketing and brand strategies, both at the collegiate and professional levels, make her the ideal person to lead our efforts in this critical area," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "Her collaborative approach, enthusiasm, and proven ability to build strong relationships will be invaluable as we continue to showcase the comprehensive successes of our student-athletes and programs. Her strategic insights will be key in shaping our future communications and further strengthening the Northwestern Athletics brand."
As CCBO, Wood will lead Northwestern Athletics' communications, marketing, and digital strategies, serving as a prominent public representative for the department. She will oversee multiple functions across the department, including athletic communications, broadcast operations, community relations, creative services, fan engagement, and marketing, ensuring a unified and consistent brand voice across all channels. This role will also drive the department's objectives through effective program execution.
Wood will also be responsible for building and enhancing relationships with broadcast talent, business leaders, and community and campus partners to disseminate key messages that promote the organization's mission. Furthermore, Wood will manage both internal and external communications, collaborating closely with Northwestern's Office of Global Marketing and Communications. Wood's leadership will be essential in setting a clear vision and fostering collaborative thinking to showcase the comprehensive successes of Northwestern Athletics and Recreation.
"I am incredibly excited and honored to join Northwestern University as the Chief Communications and Branding Officer for Northwestern Athletics," said Wood. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to work alongside such a talented and passionate group of individuals who are committed to excellence in all facets. NU has a rich tradition of academic and athletic achievement, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to help elevate the brand and tell the story of our student-athletes and programs. Together, we will continue to build a strong, unified voice that reflects the incredible work happening within Northwestern Athletics and beyond."
Since 2023, Wood has served as Executive Associate Athletic Director, Brand & Marketing Strategy at the University of Miami. During her time with the Hurricanes, Wood had oversight of graphic design, video content and operations, broadcast, communications, digital strategy, consumer marketing and event presentation. She was responsible for implementing a long-term digital roadmap strategy that drove innovation across multiple verticals to increase overall brand reach and achieve defined revenue goals.
Wood also served as the ACC Senior External Strategy representative, overseeing all departmental uniform and licensing matters and managed the relationship between athletics and campus partnerships.
Additionally, Wood acted as a liaison with the global partnerships team to implement and maximize partner activations, led game day marketing operations and managed all athletics facility branding efforts.
Prior to the University of Miami, Wood directed marketing, social, and digital partnerships at Thrill One Sports and Entertainment, a global action sports firm, where she managed events across 27 states and four continents. Prior to that, she spent five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading their digital and consumer marketing, overseeing digital platforms and driving innovation for more than 110 partners. She was also instrumental in launching mobile apps, websites, Daily's Place amphitheater, and All-Elite Wrestling, a venture by Jaguars owner Shad Khan and his son, Tony.
Wood's early career began with the Boston Red Sox in game presentation and marketing after graduating from the University of Florida at 19 with a degree in Public Relations and Sport Management. While at UF, she volunteered extensively in athletics and gained experience at NCAA and SEC events. She also interned with the Cape Cod Baseball League, setting the stage for her sports and entertainment career.
"Savanna's overall understanding of our industry and where it is headed, and her impressive background in developing and executing impactful marketing and brand strategies, both at the collegiate and professional levels, make her the ideal person to lead our efforts in this critical area," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "Her collaborative approach, enthusiasm, and proven ability to build strong relationships will be invaluable as we continue to showcase the comprehensive successes of our student-athletes and programs. Her strategic insights will be key in shaping our future communications and further strengthening the Northwestern Athletics brand."
As CCBO, Wood will lead Northwestern Athletics' communications, marketing, and digital strategies, serving as a prominent public representative for the department. She will oversee multiple functions across the department, including athletic communications, broadcast operations, community relations, creative services, fan engagement, and marketing, ensuring a unified and consistent brand voice across all channels. This role will also drive the department's objectives through effective program execution.
Wood will also be responsible for building and enhancing relationships with broadcast talent, business leaders, and community and campus partners to disseminate key messages that promote the organization's mission. Furthermore, Wood will manage both internal and external communications, collaborating closely with Northwestern's Office of Global Marketing and Communications. Wood's leadership will be essential in setting a clear vision and fostering collaborative thinking to showcase the comprehensive successes of Northwestern Athletics and Recreation.
"I am incredibly excited and honored to join Northwestern University as the Chief Communications and Branding Officer for Northwestern Athletics," said Wood. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to work alongside such a talented and passionate group of individuals who are committed to excellence in all facets. NU has a rich tradition of academic and athletic achievement, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to help elevate the brand and tell the story of our student-athletes and programs. Together, we will continue to build a strong, unified voice that reflects the incredible work happening within Northwestern Athletics and beyond."
Since 2023, Wood has served as Executive Associate Athletic Director, Brand & Marketing Strategy at the University of Miami. During her time with the Hurricanes, Wood had oversight of graphic design, video content and operations, broadcast, communications, digital strategy, consumer marketing and event presentation. She was responsible for implementing a long-term digital roadmap strategy that drove innovation across multiple verticals to increase overall brand reach and achieve defined revenue goals.
Wood also served as the ACC Senior External Strategy representative, overseeing all departmental uniform and licensing matters and managed the relationship between athletics and campus partnerships.
Additionally, Wood acted as a liaison with the global partnerships team to implement and maximize partner activations, led game day marketing operations and managed all athletics facility branding efforts.
Prior to the University of Miami, Wood directed marketing, social, and digital partnerships at Thrill One Sports and Entertainment, a global action sports firm, where she managed events across 27 states and four continents. Prior to that, she spent five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading their digital and consumer marketing, overseeing digital platforms and driving innovation for more than 110 partners. She was also instrumental in launching mobile apps, websites, Daily's Place amphitheater, and All-Elite Wrestling, a venture by Jaguars owner Shad Khan and his son, Tony.
Wood's early career began with the Boston Red Sox in game presentation and marketing after graduating from the University of Florida at 19 with a degree in Public Relations and Sport Management. While at UF, she volunteered extensively in athletics and gained experience at NCAA and SEC events. She also interned with the Cape Cod Baseball League, setting the stage for her sports and entertainment career.
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