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THINK450 Announces Staff Promotions, Changes, and Expanded Roles

THINK450 Announces Staff Promotions, Changes, and Expanded Roles

NEW YORK, NY, January 4, 2023 - THINK450, the partnership and innovation engine of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), today announced the following staff promotions, changes, and expanded roles effective immediately. 


Josh Goodstadt, Chief Commercial Officer

Josh Goodstadt has been elevated to the Chief Commercial Officer for THINK450. In this role, Goodstadt will continue to manage the group licensing for consumer products and oversee the brand partnerships division of THINK450, among other responsibilities. Goodstadt most recently served as the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Licensing for THINK450. In this role, he helped launch the licensing division for THINK450 in 2017, managing existing group licensing partnerships on behalf of the 450 NBPA members and creating new business opportunities across all licensing categories. Under Goodstadt’s leadership, THINK450 has continued to build up its licensing revenue, showing 30 percent growth year over year.

Before joining THINK450 in 2017, Goodstadt spent 10+ years at HBO, overseeing all operations pertaining to licensing and retail of consumer products worldwide. While at HBO, Goodstadt also led the development and release of merchandise and new product categories across HBO’s original programming franchises, including Game of Thrones. Before HBO, Goodstadt worked at the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) in group licensing and managed the business relationships of more than 25 licensees for the video game, wireless, and fantasy categories.

Goodstadt holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Marketing from John Hopkins Carey Business School. 


Keisha Wright, SVP, Partnerships and Purpose

Keisha Wright has been elevated to the SVP of Partnerships and Purpose for THINK450. In her elevated role, Wright will now work across THINK450’s business units to ensure purpose is at the core of client strategy and campaigns. Wright will continue to lead THINK450’s marketing strategies and the development and execution of assets that brand partners can optimize to drive growth and positive social impact. Additionally, Wright will help new and existing brand partners utilize THINK450’s proprietary player marketing intelligence to identify shared values and partnership opportunities. These shared values will serve as the foundation for global consumer engagements designed to grow the game of basketball, the community, and the business of basketball worldwide.  

Before transitioning to this new role, Wright served as the Vice President of Integrated Marketing for THINK450, overseeing partner marketing efforts across various categories. Before joining THINK450 in 2020, Wright worked in strategic marketing roles for the Brooklyn Nets, the Barclays Center, and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Wright spent the first 10+ years of her career in the fashion and cable industries, developing integrated marketing campaigns that connected with consumers through customized content, events, and media partnerships.

Wright holds a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University and an M.A. in Education from Pepperdine University. 


Additional staff promotions and changes for THINK450 include:

  • Neil Hegde - Senior Director, Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab

  • John Feuerstein - Director of Licensing

  • Khadija Campbell - Senior Manager, Partnerships & Purpose

  • Ayana Hazeley - Manager, Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab

  • Andrew Godnick - Senior Coordinator, Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab



THINK450 has also expanded roles for the following individuals: 


Dan Gladstone, SVP of Business Development & Key Initiatives 

Dan Gladstone has been named the SVP of Business Development & Key Initiatives for THINK450. In this expanded role, Gladstone will develop new business opportunities and oversee project management for public-facing experiences and marketing partnerships designed to grow revenue, create value, and increase the Union’s public impact. Gladstone will also lead cross-functional collaboration between THINK450 and the NBPA by developing experiential marketing programs that connect NBPA members with brands and key stakeholders. Additionally, Gladstone will oversee the NBPA’s interactive basketball and facility events and secure new partnerships to build innovative sponsorship assets that elevate consumer engagement and international growth opportunities.


Brian Lee, SVP of Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab

Brian Lee has been named the SVP of Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab for THINK450. Formerly the SVP of Player Marketing & Insights, Lee’s expanded role will now include the oversight of THINK450’s I.D.E.A.S. Lab. The I.D.E.A.S. Lab will prioritize the ideation, creation, and execution of all brand & player marketing-related matters, including Brand Identity & Awareness, the Player Journey, and Cultural and Experiential Development & Management. With oversight from Lee, the I.D.E.A.S. Lab will also work across THINK450’s business units to generate short and long-term player marketing opportunities while growing the overall business of THINK450 through Innovation, Development, Engagement, Access, and Solutions (I.D.E.A.S).


Latoya Sterling, VP, Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab

Latoya Sterling has been named the VP of Player Marketing & I.D.E.A.S. Lab for THINK450. In this expanded role, Sterling will drive ideation, development, and creation of player marketing opportunities across sports, lifestyle, cultural, and wellness channels. As a lead collaborator across THINK450’s business units, Sterling will also oversee the strategy and execution of THINK450’s experiences designed exclusively for NBPA members by partnering with brands and cultural influencers to optimize player marketing opportunities, leverage the collective influence of the players and meet organizational goals. Sterling most recently served as the Chief of Staff to NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio, beginning in January 2022. In this position, Sterling played an integral role in managing matters of the Executive Office and liaising with all functional teams on strategic and operational objectives of the organization.


Chris Jean, Senior Director of Business Development & Key Initiatives 

Chris Jean has been named the Senior Director of Business Development & Key Initiatives for THNK450. In this expanded role, Jean will develop and execute consumer-facing experiences designed to generate business opportunities and increase the Union’s public impact. Jean will also direct experiences and initiatives to grow revenue and brand awareness while aligning the NBPA with key stakeholders. Additionally, Jean will engage and activate THINK450’s partners and licensees to provide experiential platforms that connect NBPA members, brands, and consumers. 

 

All media inquiries should be directed to communications@nbpa.com

 

About the NBPA 

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, and counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

 Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities, and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need.


About THINK450

THINK450 is the innovation and partnership engine of the NBPA, dedicated to uncovering shared interests between the 450 players and leading brands to build more engaging partnerships. Together with its partners, THINK450 creates innovative ideas that engage fans, stir them to action, and earn brands the right to participate in cultural conversations. For more information, visit THINK450.com.


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