Boris Gartner

The Why? A first-generation immigrant from Colombia, Gartner helped launch an in-house studio last year that produces local content in both English and Spanish in order to grow the U.S. audience by specifically targeting first- and second-generation Hispanics and other younger demos. LaLiga North America Studios produced 22 digital shows each week that garnered more than 16 million video views. He also teamed with Alianza de Futbol, an organization that provides Hispanic youth opportunities, to provide high-level training from LaLiga.

He Says… “The media and sports industries have made progress over the past few years to look more like the audience they serve, but we still need to be more representative. The people who work at front offices, and those who are both on and behind the camera, need to represent the viewers and fans they speak to.”

What makes for a successful Employee Resource Group? It’s very important for that ERGs have real internal support at all levels and real influence over the decisions and actions being taken. When the role of ERGs is part of a company’s strategy, it can be instrumental in highlighting valuable insights and creating opportunities for change both within the company and across communities more broadly.

Organization you’re proud to support? I serve on the Board of Polaris, a leading, non-partisan, anti-trafficking organization in North America, based in Washington D.C. Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry that affects over 25 million people globally. Polaris has alleviated the suffering of human trafficking for thousands of people and is leading a data-driven social justice movement to fight sex and labor trafficking.

I’m also part of the Advisory Board of Minorities in Sports Business, a national invite-only digital hub of 1000+ sports professionals. The network serves as a primary resource for diverse businesses and individuals in the sports industry to support, connect, obtain insight, as well as to gain a competitive advantage in the field.

How inclusive is your recruitment and talent development? The face of America is changing rapidly, becoming more diverse and multicultural. The media and sports industries have made progress over the past few years to look more like the audience they serve, but we still need to be more representative. The people who work at front offices, and those who are both on and behind the camera, need to represent the viewers and fans they speak to.

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