5 To Watch: Canada’s Sports Business Awards 2020 Winners Named

2020 5 to Watch winners

George Brown College is pleased to announce the recipients of the ninth annual 5 to Watch – Canada’s Sport Business Awards, which recognizes five of the most influential and accomplished Canadians under the age of 40 in the business of sport. 

Presented by George Brown College in partnership with The Globe and Mail, the awards recognize executives who have demonstrated significant success early in their career and are poised to become the next generation of industry leaders. 

“The awards are firmly established as one of Canada’s premier sports marketing events,” said Mike Fenton, President & CEO, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Toronto and 5 to Watch event co-chair. “The awards shine a light on the industry’s leading executives while also helping to support a stronger and more vibrant sports business industry. Despite the challenging economic conditions due to COVID-19, 5 to Watch continues to recognize outstanding performances from across North America and the need, now more than ever, to support sports business student financial needs.” 

The 5 to Watch Awards are given annually to Canadian sports business professionals who demonstrate leadership in their industry sector. Winners are selected based on a variety of criteria including leadership, workplace accomplishments including relevant success metrics or examples of entrepreneurship and creative problem solving as well as mentorship. More than 70 senior executives from across the country were involved in the selection process.

The 2020 5 to Watch award recipients:

  • Darryl Boynton, Canadian Tire, Associate Vice President
  • Jamie Saull, TSN (Bell Media), Head of Brand Partnerships
  • Jana Masiewich, Publicis, VP Sponsorship & Events
  • Judd Moldaver, Wasserman, Senior Vice President
  • Matthew Klar, MKTG Canada, Vice President of Strategy

Videos of the winners outlining their impressive accomplishments can be found at 5toWatch.ca.

The awards are voted on by a panel of sports business executives from across the country, including representatives from the Canadian Football League, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, SDI Marketing, TSN and Canadian Tire. The awards are presented by George Brown’s School of Marketing in partnership with The Globe and Mail and organized by a committee of dedicated industry volunteers, School of Marketing, Sport and Event Marketing program alumni and employees. The 5 to Watch awards benefit students pursuing studies in George Brown College’s Centre for Business by raising funds for bursaries. To date, the event has raised over $350,000 and has awarded 68 student bursaries.

“It is with great pride that we celebrate these individuals and their accomplishments as sports business leaders. They are all rising stars for the next generation to aspire to in each of their challenging fields.  

In addition, we’re excited to announce the 10th anniversary celebration in 2021, when we look forward to a return to our live in-person awards program” said Ian Austin, Dean, Centre for Business, George Brown College. 

Alumni Achievement Award

In 2014 the Alumni Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding achievement by a George Brown College Sport & Event Marketing program graduate. The winner of the 2020 award is Shannon Hosford from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) who is the Chief Marketing Officer.

For more information, visit 5toWatch.ca, @5toWatch on Twitter, or 5 To Watch - Canada's Sports Business Awards on LinkedIn.