August 26, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Columbus Crew SC News Release
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew today announced that the Club has hired Tyler Phillips as Manager of Supporter Relations. Phillips, a lifelong Central Ohio resident and retail and marketing professional, brings more than 11 years of hands-on experience to the Crew ahead of his start in this newly created position. In his new role with the Black & Gold, Phillips will primarily establish and maintain relations with Crew supporters for matchday and non-matchday initiatives, city-wide marketing, ticketing, and supporter recruitment, while also serving as the liaison for the Nordecke Board of Directors and all supporters of Columbus Crew. Additionally, Phillips will serve as a conduit to the voice of the fans, where he will be facilitating and strengthening the relationship between fans and the front office through regular meetings with Club executives.
“The Haslam, Johnson & Edwards Families are committed to strengthening the important bond between our supporters and the Club,” said Columbus Crew Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer Steve Lyons. “Our newly-created Supporters Relations position is critical to providing Crew fans more support while increasing open communication and feedback to enhance the match-day experience. Tyler has been a longtime supporter of the Black & Gold and his existing relationship with our supporters will allow us to work together to continue to make an impact in our community. We are thrilled to welcome Tyler to the Columbus Crew.”
Prior to joining the Crew, Phillips worked as a store manager and partnership coordinator for Pursuit, a locally-owned customized-suit storefront with locations in Columbus’ Short North Arts District and in Cincinnati from 2017-2020. Primarily serving Pursuit’s Columbus location, Phillips secured multiple partnerships with not only local Columbus entities such as Columbus Crew, but also teamed up with the likes of recording artist Bon Iver and the U.S. Olympic Curling Team to name a few, providing suits and creating marketing campaigns in collaboration with the groups. Phillips also serves as the Communications Director of 2Cents Sports, a sports media outlet that amplifies and elevates black voices within the landscape of sport.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to have this opportunity,” said Tyler Phillips. “Our supporters are the heartbeat of this club and how they interact with the Club and community is an essential component for success. Collaboration is paramount and I look forward to working alongside the supporters to provide a fan experience we all can be proud of. It is my hope that while keeping respect for tradition, we all can come together to enhance and elevate the profile of the Columbus Crew supporters as we move into this new era.”
A longtime Crew supporter, Phillips has been volunteering with the Nordecke since 2018, most recently serving in the Nordecke Leadership. While a member of the Nordecke Leadership, Phillips assisted with communications and gameday experience. In addition to his role with the Nordecke, Phillips is heavily involved in community outreach and activism. Phillips is the co-founder of Columbus Speaks – an organization founded to amplify stories of voices that are unheard. Additionally, Phillips volunteers with Bikes for All People, an organization that provides affordable and reliable services for cyclists of all ages and backgrounds on the South side of Columbus.
“We are incredibly pleased to see Ty step into this role. From day one our ask was that a fan and supporter be given the chance to step into the role and build something truly dynamic for both us, the club, and community,” said the Nordecke Board of Directors. “Hiring Ty demonstrates a willingness to do just that and we have every certainty that he will not only carry the voice of the supporters into the front office but work dynamically with us to build a better relationship holistically in a variety of exciting ways that will benefit the Crew community.”
This week, Columbus Crew hosts Ohio rival FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field in a nationally televised contest on Friday, August 27 [6:30 p.m. ET / ESPN, ESPN Deportes / 97.1 The Fan & 971TheFan.com (English); ColumbusCrew.com (Spanish)].
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