Two high-ranking Detroit Pistons employees have been poached by college football.
Tyrel Kirkham, the Pistons’ vice president of brand and marketing strategy, is joining the Big 12 as the conference’s first-ever chief marketing officer. Joining him is Clark Williams, the Pistons’ director of communications, as the Big 12’s vice president of brand communications.
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Kirkham joined the Pistons in August 2020 after nearly two years with the Los Angeles Rams as their vice president and general manager of merchandise. True to his title, Kirkham was highly involved in the Pistons’ marketing and brand campaigns, including their “Beef Stew” clothing line for Isaiah Stewart, collaboration with Martin Lawrence for merchandise based on the 1990s sitcom “Martin” and broader embrace of Detroit and Black culture.
Williams joined the Pistons in November 2020 and was a key member of their public relations team.
Kirkham joined the Free Press’ “On The Line” podcast in January to discuss his role with the franchise and the Pistons’ embrace of Detroit.