Expert Contributor: Wesley Mallette
Biography
Wesley Mallette is Co-Founder and CEO of the Los Angeles, California-based Comment Communications (formerly known as Elevation Sports & Entertainment) and President of Comment’s Sports Division. A founding partner of the rising boutique firm, the former Division I football player and decathlete, and current sports/entertainment executive translates experience and passion into proven results for the firm’s clients.
A prolific sports and entertainment communications strategist, Wesley Mallette is noted for his experience in working with Fortune 500 companies, athletes and corporate executives in crisis situations. In 2005, Mallette played an integral role in the development of communications strategy for the National Basketball Players Association’s collective bargaining agreement renegotiation, effectively helping avert an NBA season-ending lock out. His achievements also include paving the way for the successful 2009 comeback of 2006 Tour de France winner, Floyd Landis; media training for several of USA Swimming’s top athletes, and spokesperson training and messaging for more than 20 Olympians serving as athlete ambassadors for Chicago 2016’s bid to win the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. In addition, Mallette engineered the strategic approach for 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and World Class cyclist Tyler Hamilton’s retirement from the sport, and has worked with an all-star line up of clients including corporate sponsors, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists Cullen Jones and Aaron Peirsol, NFL, WNBA, and NBA players.
Building top-notch marketing communications divisions and launching brands for some of the nation’s highest profile companies is nothing new for Mallette. Prior to the formation of Comment, he championed the communications and event marketing efforts for many of the world’s leading media and entertainment brands, serving as VP of Corporate Communications for MTV Networks, Director of Communications for Black Entertainment Television, Inc., and Senior Manager Media Relations for the Limited Brands’ Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. In addition, Mallette helped build and direct the event marketing and PR department for Carol H. Williams Advertising. Early in his career he worked for Ketchum Communications and credits his tenure with the Children Defense Fund (the nation’s most respected child advocacy organization) for his experience in public policy and coalition building.
Mallette holds a B.A. in Communications from James Madison University and an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Maryland. Now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, he splits time between Comment’s Southern California and Bay Area offices.
Most Recent Articles
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12 Reasons Why Athletes Should Partner with a Strategic PR Team
by Wesley Mallette 08-10-2010 11:58 PM Public Relations | Marketing | Image Branding | Crisis Management | Trusted Athlete Educator
The start of the 2010 college and professional football season finds us at the intersection of social media, reality TV and sport. Rarely have we seen so many professional and collegiate football players front and center in the media – and not just as the subject of the interview or feature. Given society’s obsession with all of the above, this should not surprise anyone.Former and current players are trading in their cleats for their dancing shoes and showcasing their talents on ABC’s ever-popular “Dancing with the Stars.” All-Pros Jason Taylor, Warren Sapp and Chad Ochocinco, as well as Hall of Famers, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice and Lawrence Taylor, have not only done well on the show, they have boosted their public profile and in most cases, increased their endorsement and business opportunities. -
Reputation Rehab: Jeremiah Masoli's Road to Redemption Runs Through Mississippi
by Wesley Mallette 08-04-2010 12:53 AM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management
Reputation Management, Rehab and Redemption
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Wrong Place, Wrong Time? Not an Option for Second-Chance Athletes
by Wesley Mallette 07-04-2010 05:50 PM Public Relations | Human Relations | Crisis Management
Mistakes will happen, but as a high-profile, second-chance athlete, you will only get so many opportunities.
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The Power of Perception: 5 Reasons Why Athletes Should Care
by Wesley Mallette 06-21-2010 11:47 PM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management
Perception is everything
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The Power of an Apology: First Step on the Road to Reputation Repair
by Wesley Mallette 06-02-2010 12:32 AM Crisis Management | Image Branding | Public Relations
"I'm Sorry" are two simple words, but when used sincerely, they are two words that can change the outcome of a situation gone awry for the better.
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Bad Behavior in Sports, Part II
by Wesley Mallette 05-17-2010 02:03 AM Public Relations | Crisis Management
6 Key Tips to “Reputation Repair”
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Bad Behavior in Sports. Is it Worth It?
by Wesley Mallette 05-01-2010 08:11 PM Public Relations | Image Branding | Trusted Athlete Educator
Five Reasons Why Negative Emotions Can’t Control Your Reaction
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Reputation Rehab and The Digital Age: 8 Steps To Reputation Recovery
by Wesley Mallette 04-26-2010 06:03 PM Public Relations | Crisis Management | Trusted Athlete Educator
Redefining “Watch What You Say and Do” and The Consequences of Your Actions
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Dear Tiger: Regarding Your PR Strategy? It Stinks. #FAIL.
by Wesley Mallette 03-28-2010 12:36 AM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management
Tiger's PR Strategy Continues to Disappoint. It's Horrible. And He Paid for This?!?
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The Olympic Spirit and the True Meaning of Sport
by Wesley Mallette 03-07-2010 10:31 PM Athlete Services | Image Branding | Public Relations | Special Event
The story of athletes overcoming the improbable to achieve the seemingly impossible is one that never gets old. And one of the reasons companies pay big bucks for them to pitch their products and speak to their employees.
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Reputation Rehab: The Tiger Woods Mea Culpa - How Effective Was It?
by Wesley Mallette 02-19-2010 11:01 PM Crisis Management | Public Relations
We heard what we expected to hear. Yes, we are more or less "Tiger'ed Out," but here is how I think he did today.
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Tiger Woods - Prelude to Recovery or Further Disaster?
by Wesley Mallette 02-18-2010 11:57 PM Public Relations | Crisis Management
His fall from grace is well documented. His battle with the media is ongoing. Now, the road to recovery begins. Tiger Woods, welcome to "Reputation Rehab."
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SPORTS, LIFE AND BUSINESS: And Why the New Orleans Saints Matter
by Wesley Mallette 02-04-2010 11:36 PM Human Relations | Philanthropy
The lessons learned through sport give us perspective and teach us how to handle adversity.
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How to Properly Handle Crisis in Sports? Hint - When You "Spin" You Don't Win
by Wesley Mallette 01-21-2010 01:41 AM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management | Trusted Athlete Educator
Crisis in Sports - What to Do When You Find Yourself in Trouble
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Reputation Rehab: Gilbert Arenas, Mike Leach, and Charlie Sheen “Hey, What Did I Do Wrong?”
by Wesley Mallette 01-09-2010 12:46 PM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management | Trusted Athlete Educator
Seven steps toward Reputation Rehab.
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Reputation Rehab: Five Tips for a Tiger
by Wesley Mallette 12-02-2009 04:53 PM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management
What Team Tiger Should Have Done and Should Be Doing Right Now - and Why
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Understanding Social and Traditional Media – LJ, OchoCinco, and Bob Griese
by Wesley Mallette 11-02-2009 03:30 PM New Media | Image Branding | Human Relations | Crisis Management
Why Traditional and Social Media Training in Sports is Crucial – Larry Johnson, OchoCinco and Bob Griese – What Went Wrong and What Went Right
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Raiders' Seymour Guarantees Playoff Appearance - AND I LOVE IT!
by Wesley Mallette 11-01-2009 09:33 PM Sports Psychology
Why Richard Seymour's Leadership and Positive Attitude Are Critical to ANY team's Success.
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A Rush to Judgment?
by Wesley Mallette 10-18-2009 03:16 PM Public Relations
Rush Limbaugh and The Far Reaching Impact of Miscalculated Reputation Management and the Potential Fallout
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Reputation Rehab: Is Michael Vick Redeemable?
by Wesley Mallette 08-26-2009 12:36 AM Public Relations | Trusted Athlete Educator
Seven Key Tips for Number 7's PR Road to Recovery
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The Re-Branding of Michael Vick: Picking Up the Pieces and Moving Forward
by Wesley Mallette 07-27-2009 06:21 PM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management | Athlete Career Development
Wesley Mallette takes a look at the Michael Vick Situation from a Public Relations Perspective.
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Handling Crisis in the Sports World - Perspective from a Game Changing PR Pro
by Wesley Mallette 07-23-2009 12:27 AM Public Relations | Image Branding | Crisis Management | Athlete Career Development | Trusted Athlete Educator
When athletes find themselves in trouble, what are the determining factors surrounding how well they will fare in that moment of crisis? Who are the people they turn to and who SHOULD they turn to to guide them through it?
