The National Hockey League has hired former NFL veteran Charles Coplin to the new position of executive vice president of content.
In his new post, Coplin who had been serving as the pro football league's vice president of programming, where he will integrate and focus the efforts of all NHL media and content, including NHL.com. He also will oversee and optimize programming and production for NHL Network, manage all television broadcast and rights-holder relationships, and direct the NHL Digital Studios and original broadband productions.
At the NFL, Coplin served in dual role as both a programmer and producer of special NFL events. Coplin was responsible for programming NFL Network since prior to its launch in November 2003. He was nominated for several Emmys for his work on the channel's America's Game franchise and its game of the week telecasts
In 2004, the NFL turned to Coplin to oversee and executive-produce all aspects of its live special-event TV performances, with responsibilities for the selection of talent, budget, and all other aspects of such concerts, including set lists, wardrobe and staging for Super Bowl halftime and other events.
Prior to working as the NFL's vice president of programming, Coplin served as its senior director of broadcasting, where he created the NFL's playing schedule, administered TV contracts with its network partners and worked as a producer for NFL Films live event television shows that aired on CBS, ESPN and ABC.
His resume also includes stints working for Web sites to HBO's boxing and mob series, The Sopranos, ABC Sports, MTV, ESPN and Martin Scorsese.
"Charles Coplin is among the most respected senior executives in sports content, programming and production, and will take our relationship with fans across all platforms and events to the next level," said NHL COO John Collins in announcing the hire. "Charles is a proven innovator who will drive a very ambitious content development schedule that meets fan demand for news, video, all-access programming and 24/7 NHL on every platform."
"The NHL is very well positioned to capitalize on its maturing media products and big event strategy, unprecedented fan consumption, and the trends in multi-platform digital consumption," said Coplin. "By focusing and tightly integrating all of our media products, and bringing best-in-class production value, we will continue to drive fan behavior by providing the best content and access across all events and media platforms."
