Golf Channel Digital, which is coming off a record 2012 as its best year ever, today announced two significant personnel moves for its group of businesses.
Jeff Cravens has joined Golf Channel in a full-time capacity as General Manager of Golf Channel Digital, reporting directly to Golf Channel President Mike McCarley. Cravens will oversee all strategic elements of the network’s online and mobile business, including Golf Live Extra, which brings live streaming to users across all platforms. He also will assist with integration within the NBC Sports Group. Cravens brings to Golf Channel more than 15 years’ experience in growing and managing digital sports businesses across a variety of platforms. He most recently served as a consultant for NBC Sports Group’s digital businesses, focusing much of his work on golf. Previously, he managed digital platforms for both ESPN and Turner Sports.
Mike Lowe has been promoted to Vice President, Product Development and User Experience. In addition to providing the product vision for all of Golf Channel’s digital platforms, Lowe will manage the various products and services encompassed within the GolfNow business, including the GolfNow website, electronic tee-time service, Deal Caddy daily deals, SwingFix instruction and various other products for golf course operators. He also will retain high-level product development and strategy responsibilities for Golf Channel digital platforms, including GolfChannel.com, mobile apps and live streaming products. In Lowe’s new role, he will report to Will McIntosh, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy.
Lowe, who was promoted from Senior Director of Business Strategy for GolfChannel.com, began with Golf Channel in 2010. For the previous 13 years, Lowe worked in sales, product and interactive marketing at Acushnet Company, owners of the Titleist and Footjoy golf brands. At Acushnet Company, he managed Footjoy’s 13 global websites and developed MyJoys, Footjoy’s first custom shoe e-commerce initiative.
“Our digital businesses have grown immensely in the past few years and continue to create not only a tremendous amount of momentum for our company, but also deeper and richer ways to connect the world with golf,” said Golf Channel President Mike McCarley. “Jeff and Mike are both incredibly important members of our senior team and their expertise is becoming more and more important as our digital business continues to grow.”
NBC Sports Group’s Golf Media is anchored by Golf Channel and Golf Channel on NBC, which is home to some of golf’s biggest events, including the U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, The Players Championship, and the PGA TOUR Playoffs. Golf Channel, television’s fastest-growing television network since joining the NBC Sports Group in January 2011, features live coverage from all the professional tours. With its most-watched year ever in 2012, Golf Channel is building upon its success by showcasing more hours of tournament golf surrounded by daily news programs, acclaimed original series and new acquired events, including the World Long Drive Championships in October, the NCAA Golf Championships beginning in 2014 and the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, which will feature golf’s return to the Olympics after more than 100 years.