IMS announces new hires
Dill was named vice president of marketing and public relations while Newton was named director of marketing.
"We're pleased to welcome Mark and James to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway management team," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "Both bring an impressive array of experience, innovation and success in motorsports and other venues to the Speedway, and we're confident that their talent and vision will provide excellent leadership in the vital areas of marketing and public relations."
Dill comes to IMS with a strong blend of experience in marketing and corporate communications.
He served in a variety of management and executive roles in marketing and communications at Nortel Networks from 1990-2001, including activation of the company's sponsorship of Indianapolis 500 race teams from 1996-2000. Nortel was the primary sponsor on the car that Arie Luyendyk drove to victory in the 1997 Indianapolis 500.
Dill also has worked in executive-level positions in public relations and marketing for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Corvis Corporation and AT&T since 1977. He also has owned two marketing communications firms with special interest in motorsports programs.
A lifelong motorsports aficionado, Dill is a published author and historian of the sport who has written more than 30 stories for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including Indianapolis 500 Official Programs. He also operates a Web site that specializes in early motorsports history, www.firstsuperspeedway.com.
Dill is a 1977 graduate of Indiana University who also holds an undergraduate degree from Cal State University, Long Beach and a master's degree from San Jose State University.
"I am excited and honored to be a part of the IMS team," Dill said. "As a lifelong fan of the Speedway, I have the perspective of both the fan sitting in the stands and the behind-the-scenes manager of corporate sponsorship and communication. Our mission at IMS is to not only expand our customer base but to make the IMS experience better than ever for our existing customers, and I look forward to being part of that."
Newton comes to IMS after a distinguished career in marketing at Red Bull and after a successful tenure as a small business owner.
He worked as a field marketing manager and sampling team manager for Red Bull North America from 2001-2010, working extensively with IMS officials since the announcement in 2007 of the annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event.
From 1996-2003, Newton owned N.A.G.'s Skate House in Kent, Ohio, one of that region's most successful and widely recognized brands in skateboarding and snowboarding retail.
Newton received bachelor's and master's degrees from Kent State University.
"I have had the pleasure of working closely with IMS officials through Red Bull's programs with the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, Formula One and MotoGP," Newton said. "I look forward to taking the IMS experience to younger demographics while increasing customer service and satisfaction among our longtime fans."