Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) announced the appointment of AJ Jones II as executive vice president, chief strategic and corporate communications officer to its world-class leadership team.In this role, Jones will be responsible for developing, executing and amplifying Monumental’s brand and corporate narrative; leading ownership, financial, investor, and community-based communications; overseeing the company’s broader investor relations and stakeholder engagement strategies; and serving as a member of the leadership team. Jones will report directly to Ted Leonsis, MSE founder, chairman, managing partner, and chief executive officer.
“AJ is a renowned communications leader whose expertise spans Fortune 500 companies, national non-profits, government organizations, and multilateral agencies,” said Ted Leonsis. “As MSE continues to grow and evolve, AJ’s expansive senior executive experience across business sectors, industries, philanthropy, investor, and international relations will be invaluable. His deep knowledge of customer service and entertainment will also help us enhance and showcase the unforgettable moments we strive to create for fans of our teams.”Jones joins MSE from Starbucks Coffee Company, where he served in multiple leadership roles, including executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer, and executive vice president and chief communications and public affairs officer. In those roles, Jones led the company’s global communications, partner and employee communications and social media platforms, corporate and investor communications, brand-product communications and experiences, Starbucks Entertainment, global government affairs, Social Impact, and Starbucks Foundation teams worldwide. He also played a pivotal role in Starbucks’ global growth by fostering public-private partnerships to spearhead economic development. Additionally, Jones served as lead executive for the company’s Board of Directors Environmental, Partner, and Community Impact Committee, was an executive sponsor of the Armed Forces Partner Network and was a governing member of the Global Brand Council.“The future of major league sports and media is increasingly global, with success driven by delivering highly personalized, premium services for consumers,” said Zach Leonsis, president of Media & New Enterprises for MSE. “AJ’s track record of working in senior communications roles with international brands that prioritize outstanding customer engagement makes him a perfect fit to contribute to our next phase of growth.”Jones has worked internationally in Hong Kong, South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and Switzerland. Before his tenure at Starbucks, Jones held senior executive roles in Fortune 500 companies, top-ranked agencies, and leading philanthropic and governmental intuitions.
The longtime business executive has also served as a member of the board of directors for the Mu Lambda Foundation, a nonprofit formed by the graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., based in the District. Additionally, he served as chairman of the chapter’s Public Policy Committee, and on its executive board.The newly minted executive vice president said he looks forward to working with MSE.“Monumental is one of the most valuable and forward-thinking sports and media-entertainment organizations in the world,” said Jones. “Ted and Zach Leonsis have built a company that is unrivaled in its ability to deliver best-in-class service to fans. This has been driven by dynamic management, strong cultural values, and an unwavering commitment to the community. As someone who has lived and thrived in the D.C. metropolitan area and has an insatiable appetite for sports and media-entertainment, I’m thrilled to contribute to this exceptional organization.”
Source: Washington Informer
