Heralded as one of the most influential and prominent executives in the sports marketing industry, Frank Vuono’s vast experience has helped set today’s marketing standard in professional sports and entertainment. Vuono co-founded 16W Marketing, LLC in 2000 and has overseen the growth of its Corporate Division. Vuono, with expertise in strategic marketing, intellectual property rights, merchandising and e-commerce, has negotiated record-breaking partnerships in naming rights, sponsorship and licensing as well as ticket/suite sales.

 

While at 16W, Vuono has advised clients including Quest Diagnostics, Tailored Brands, Encore Capital Management, Pro Football Hall of Fame, IMG College-Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), Panasonic, Aramark, NIKE, Fanatics, New York Giants, Rita’s Ice, NFL Alumni Association (NFLA), The Experts Network (TXN) and Competitor Group.  He was personally hired by the NFL Commissioner’s office to assist the New Orleans Saints (post Hurricane Katrina) in securing millions of dollars in revenue to ensure the Saints’ future in Louisiana. 

 

Known for his creative and dynamic approach, Vuono co-founded Integrated Sports International (ISI) in 1993.  As CEO & President of ISI, Vuono spearheaded programs for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Burger King, DHL and Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Vuono led innovative licensing/branding programs 

for GM’s Cadillac Division, General Mills’ Wheaties and personalities Steve Young, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kordell Stewart. His ISI team also set benchmarks in stadium/arena naming rights sales in San Francisco, Charlotte, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Miami.  

 

In 1999, ISI was acquired by SFX Entertainment and Vuono became President of SFX Sports Group’s Marketing Division.  Vuono personally managed marketing and licensing programs for sports and entertainment personalities including current 16W clients Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms. 

 

During his tenure as Vice President of Retail Licensing for NFL Properties (NFLP) from 1985-1993, Vuono built sales of licensed products from approximately $300 million to over $2.5 billion.  He also launched integrated marketing programs that included NFL Pro Line, NFL Pro Shop (with Payne Stewart) and NFL Throwbacks.  Vuono co-founded the NFL Quarterback Club and became the QBC’s Executive Director. 

 

Vuono’s strategic approach to marketing was honed during his early days at Young & Rubicam, where he managed programs for Johnson & Johnson, P&G, General Foods and KFC. 

 

A proud New Jerseyan, Vuono is active in several community and philanthropic endeavors.  He is a member of Hackensack Meridian Health's Board of Trustees, 

Hackensack University Medical Center’s Foundation Board of Trustees, co-chairman of the John Theurer Cancer Center Advisory Board of Directors and chairman of Hackensack Meridian Health's Marketing Committee.  In addition, Vuono serves on the Board of Directors of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and served nine years on the Glen Ridge Country Club Board of Trustees, four as president.  

 

The proud Princeton University alumnus currently serves on its Alumni Council, on the Princeton Varsity Club Board of Directors and as chairman emeritus of the Princeton Football Association. 

 

He and his wife Dorothy reside in his hometown of Lyndhurst, NJ and have three married daughters and four grandchildren (and counting!).