Bleav, the sports and entertainment podcast network, has named Jim Thompson Vice President of Sales. Thompson will oversee the company’s advertising sales organization and lead revenue growth across its audio, video, and social platforms.

Thompson joins Bleav from Gemini XIII, where he served as Vice President of Sales across the company’s podcasting, radio and premium audio businesses. He previously held sales roles at The Athletic, where he worked across podcasts, digital and newsletters, and at Cadence13, where he specialized in direct-response advertising and large-scale brand activations. Thompson also spent time at ESPN New York 98.7 FM, selling advertising and sponsorships across ESPN programming and New York Jets, Knicks, and Rangers broadcasts. He began his career in New York radio at WOR and later served as sales manager for Salem Media’s New York stations.

“Jim brings exactly the kind of sales leadership and experience we want as Bleav continues to grow,” said Bron Heussenstamm, founder and CEO of Bleav, in a press release. “He understands both sports and non-sports, podcasts, creators, and advertisers, and has built strong relationships throughout the industry. We are excited to have him leading our sales organization and helping us unlock the value of the audience and content we have built.”

“Bleav has built an incredible network of creators, athletes, and content with tremendous opportunity ahead,” Thompson said. “I’m excited to join Bron and the Bleav team, work with our sales organization and partners, and build on that foundation to create even more opportunities for advertisers, creators and the company.”

As Vice President of Sales, Thompson will lead Bleav’s internal sales team, direct advertising and sponsorship efforts, and manage relationships with the company’s third-party sales partners.

Bleav produces more than 200 episodes per day across more than 550 shows, featuring over 800 hosts and athletes with a combined 60 million social followers. The company reports that its network generates more than 2,000 hours of original audio and video content each month and more than 40 million views and listens monthly across podcast, YouTube, and digital platforms.

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