Octagon Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Octagon has 6 executives leading key functions including operations, financial strategy, marketing, and talent representation.

Focused on delivering elite sports and entertainment solutions, Octagon drives global brand impact through innovative sponsorship, athlete management, and comprehensive marketing strategies that define the modern industry landscape.

Leadership Roles at Octagon

  • Chief Financial Officer - Nancy Morton
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Nicole Sarakos
  • President - Merrill Shields
  • Events, President, Marketing (North America) - Lou Kovacs
  • President - Charles Zicari
  • Chief of Staff - Taylor Rice
  • Nancy Morton - Chief Financial Officer

    Nancy Morton, the Chief Financial Officer at Octagon, directs the fiscal strategy and capital allocation for the agency. Morton oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and long-term investment planning to ensure the firm remains profitable within the sports and entertainment sector. The Chief Financial Officer manages risk assessment protocols, protecting the agency's assets while supporting expansion into new market segments. Nancy Morton collaborates with department heads to align spending with strategic growth objectives, ensuring that marketing and sponsorship initiatives receive necessary funding. By analyzing revenue streams from talent representation and brand partnerships, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes the company's financial health. This leadership role requires precise management of cash flow and rigorous adherence to fiscal compliance standards. Through disciplined financial oversight, Morton secures the resources required for the agency to maintain its competitive edge in the global sports marketing industry.
    Nancy Morton

    Nicole Sarakos - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Nicole Sarakos, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Octagon, architects the firm's overarching financial architecture and corporate development strategy. Sarakos drives the evaluation of potential acquisitions and partnerships, ensuring that every investment aligns with the agency's long-term vision for sports and entertainment dominance. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer monitors global economic trends to adjust the agency's fiscal posture, providing stability during market fluctuations. Nicole Sarakos leads the financial planning and analysis teams, focusing on maximizing shareholder value through efficient resource distribution. By integrating financial data into operational decision-making, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the agency's expansion into diverse talent representation markets. This role involves high-level engagement with the board to communicate fiscal performance and strategic outlook. Through sophisticated financial modeling, Sarakos ensures the agency maintains the liquidity and capital strength necessary for sustained industry leadership.
    Nicole Sarakos

    Merrill Shields - President

    Merrill Shields, the President at Octagon, directs the agency's core business units and overall service delivery model. Shields oversees the strategic direction of talent representation, ensuring that the agency provides unparalleled support to athletes and entertainers. The President cultivates relationships with major brand partners, driving the growth of sponsorship portfolios across the global sports landscape. Merrill Shields manages the integration of marketing services with talent management, creating a cohesive value proposition for clients. By fostering a culture of excellence, the President ensures that the agency remains at the forefront of the sports and entertainment industry. This leadership role involves setting performance benchmarks for all service divisions and driving the execution of high-impact marketing campaigns. Through visionary leadership, Shields expands the agency's market reach, ensuring that the firm continues to deliver exceptional results for its diverse roster of talent and corporate partners.

    Lou Kovacs - Events, President, Marketing (North America)

    Lou Kovacs, the Events, President, Marketing (North America) at Octagon, directs all experiential marketing and event-based initiatives across the North American market. Kovacs architects large-scale activations that connect brands with sports fans, driving engagement and measurable ROI for corporate clients. The Events, President, Marketing (North America) oversees the planning and execution of complex event logistics, ensuring that every activation reflects the agency's commitment to quality and innovation. Lou Kovacs manages regional teams to deliver seamless experiences that amplify brand presence in the competitive sports landscape. By leveraging deep industry insights, the Events, President, Marketing (North America) identifies emerging trends in event marketing to keep the agency ahead of the curve. This role involves coordinating with global leadership to ensure that North American operations align with the firm's international strategy. Through strategic event management, Kovacs strengthens the agency's reputation as a premier provider of experiential marketing solutions.
    Lou Kovacs

    Charles Zicari - President

    Charles Zicari, the President at Octagon, directs the agency's operational scaling and internal infrastructure development. Zicari focuses on optimizing the firm's service delivery systems, ensuring that marketing and sponsorship teams possess the tools required for high-performance output. The President manages the implementation of new technologies to enhance client reporting and data analytics, providing a competitive advantage in the sports and entertainment market. Charles Zicari leads initiatives to improve cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that talent representation and marketing departments work in perfect harmony. By refining internal processes, the President increases the agency's capacity to handle complex, multi-channel campaigns for global brands. This leadership role involves identifying operational bottlenecks and executing solutions that drive efficiency and profitability. Through a commitment to operational excellence, Zicari ensures that the agency maintains its status as a top-tier provider of sports marketing and talent management services.

    Taylor Rice - Chief of Staff

    Taylor Rice, the Chief of Staff at Octagon, manages internal operational workflows and cross-departmental communication. By aligning executive priorities with the broader agency mission, Rice optimizes organizational efficiency across all sports and entertainment divisions. The Chief of Staff coordinates high-level projects, ensuring that internal resources support the agency's talent representation goals. Taylor Rice maintains rigorous standards for project execution, facilitating seamless collaboration between marketing teams and athlete management units. This role involves monitoring performance metrics to ensure that internal processes remain agile in a competitive market. By streamlining communication channels, the Chief of Staff enables leadership to focus on long-term growth and client acquisition. Through consistent oversight of administrative functions, Rice strengthens the operational foundation of the agency, allowing the firm to maintain its position as a leader in global sports marketing and talent representation.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Advertising Networks

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Octagon Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Octagon?
    Octagon is led by Nancy Morton (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Nicole Sarakos (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Merrill Shields (President).
    Who is part of Octagon’s executive team?
    The executive team of Octagon includes leaders such as Nancy Morton (Chief Financial Officer), Nicole Sarakos (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Merrill Shields (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Octagon have?
    Octagon has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Octagon’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Octagon includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, President, Events, President, Marketing (North America), President.