The Houston Dynamo today announced the hiring of Amber Cox as the club’s new vice president/chief marketing officer.
Cox joins the Dynamo after serving as associate commissioner for women’s basketball with the Big East conference since November 2013. Cox also spent nine seasons with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and held the role of president and chief operating officer for the final two years of her tenure.
“I am pleased to have Amber join our organization as a member of the senior leadership team,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. “She brings an impressive resume, relative experience, strong leadership qualities, and positive energy. She will be a great addition to our club as we continue to evolve and develop. I’m confident that she will bring outstanding results to the Houston Dynamo, Houston Dash and BBVA Compass Stadium.”
Cox completes a newly formed senior leadership team under Canetti. This group oversees the Dynamo, Dash, BBVA Compass Stadium and Houston Sports Park. Other members of the senior management team include Steven Powell, executive vice president/chief revenue officer, David Tagliarino, senior vice president/chief operating officer, Paul Byrne, vice president of stadium operations, and Matt Jordan, vice president/GM.
“Joining the Houston Dynamo is an exciting opportunity,” said Cox. “This is a team that is known for its culture, positive community impact, and track record of excellence on and off the field. I look forward to helping the organization reach a new level of success in years to come.”
As associate commissioner, Cox managed all aspects of women’s basketball, including: scheduling, officiating, television, branding and marketing and was in charge of the annual Big East women’s basketball tournament.
As Mercury president and COO, Cox oversaw all business and basketball operations. Cox joined the franchise prior to the 2005 season and revolutionized the branding of the Mercury, mirroring the up-tempo brand of basketball known as “The System” implemented by Mercury head coach Paul Westhead.
As director of marketing for five seasons, Cox aggressively expanded the fan base, gaining mainstream sports fans with the “Man Up” and “Basketball is Basketball” campaigns. Cox was actively involved in the 2009 partnership as LifeLock became the first jersey sponsor in WNBA history.
Recognizing her fast climb in the business industry the Phoenix Business Journal named Cox to its Forty-Under-40 Class of 2012. A year later, in her final season with the Mercury, Cox directed the marketing and sales initiatives surrounding the selection of superstar Brittney Griner, leading to record-setting sales, website viewership and media impressions.
Prior to the Mercury, Cox was assistant director of athletics in charge of media relations and development at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. Cox also served as the sports information director for the American Midwest Conference (AMC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Region V.
A Missouri native, Cox earned her bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism and master’s degree in business administration from William Woods University in Fulton, Mo.
