Melissa Verner Green appointed WSM Sports General Manager
WSM Sports has named Melissa Verner Green as General Manager, with the appointment intended to reinforce the Launchd Group's presence in sport and brand partnerships.
Melissa Verner Green brings significant leadership experience from her previous roles with Meta, Essendon Football Club, DMG, Fairfax, and Southern Cross Austereo. She is recognised within the Australian media and sports sectors, having built a reputation for assembling high-performance teams and establishing impactful partnerships.
At WSM Sports, Verner Green will focus on several key areas, including driving the agency's growth strategy, expanding its athlete management portfolio, and supporting the delivery of partnerships for brands and sporting bodies. Her arrival coincides with the continuing expansion of the Launchd Group, which is building upon a business model focused on technology and partnerships within the creator economy.
Leadership and vision
"Melissa is an exceptional leader whose reputation in sport and media speaks for itself," said James Begley, CEO of The Launchd Group. "Her experience across both traditional and digital platforms, combined with her ability to connect athletes, brands and fans, makes her an incredible addition to WSM and the wider Launchd team as we scale."
Verner Green said she welcomed the opportunity to join WSM Sports, highlighting the growing significance of sport in society and the unique role the agency plays in connecting different stakeholders.
"Sport has the power to inspire and unite communities, and WSM Sports plays a unique role in connecting athletes, brands, and fans authentically. I'm thrilled to be part of Launchd's mission to deliver smarter, performance-driven partnerships."
Agency focus
WSM Sports operates as part of the Launchd Group and manages a portfolio of top Australian athletes and creators. The agency delivers full-scale services in sports marketing, sponsorship, and brand partnerships. With Verner Green's appointment, the leadership team is set to grow stronger, and the group expects an increased ability to connect athletes and brands effectively.
The Launchd Group itself includes several businesses across related sectors, such as Hoozu, Huume, Pickstar, Pickstar Works, and ICMI. These organisations cover a range of markets, including influencer marketing, creator production, sports management, technology platforms, and representation for keynote speakers.
Integrated approach
The group is pursuing an integrated operating model designed to benefit both brands and talent. This approach enables scalable and measurable partnerships that aim to produce results for clients in a variety of industries.
Melissa Verner Green holds an MAICD designation, reflecting her long-standing commitment to governance and industry best practices. She is expected to contribute experience from both the digital and traditional sides of the media industry, reinforcing WSM Sports' capabilities in promoting collaboration across platforms.
James Begley explained that the company is focused on scaling up its activities and that Verner Green's appointment is aligned with these objectives. The agency's work extends to providing brands and sporting organisations with partnership opportunities that are meant to resonate with target audiences while tracking results using performance metrics.
WSM Sports aims to maintain its position as a facilitator between athletes, brands, and fans, working to deliver sports marketing strategies that address both commercial and community objectives. The agency continues to manage end-to-end partnership solutions, with a view to supporting athlete management at all stages of their career.
Verner Green's role as General Manager will encompass oversight of agency operations, the management of the athlete and creator portfolio, and engagement with commercial partners seeking mutually beneficial arrangements within Australian sport and entertainment markets.
