Leadership Overview
Octagon has 7 executives leading key functions including regional strategy, financial oversight, operational management, and marketing execution.
Focused on delivering elite sports and entertainment solutions, Octagon drives global brand impact through innovative sponsorship, athlete representation, and comprehensive talent management strategies across diverse international markets.
Focused on delivering elite sports and entertainment solutions, Octagon drives global brand impact through innovative sponsorship, athlete representation, and comprehensive talent management strategies across diverse international markets.
Leadership Roles at Octagon
Marcelo Martirani - Chief Executive Officer Latam
Marcelo Martirani, the Chief Executive Officer Latam at Octagon, directs all regional operations and business development initiatives across Latin American markets. Martirani architects high-level growth strategies for sports marketing and talent representation, ensuring alignment with the broader agency mission. By cultivating relationships with major regional brands and athletes, the Chief Executive Officer Latam expands the footprint of the agency within the competitive sports landscape. Marcelo Martirani monitors market trends to identify new sponsorship opportunities, while simultaneously managing cross-functional teams to deliver integrated marketing campaigns. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with global stakeholders to maintain consistent service standards. Through the implementation of localized business models, the Chief Executive Officer Latam secures long-term partnerships and drives revenue growth. Martirani maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that all regional activities support the overarching goals of the agency.
Nancy Morton - Chief Financial Officer
Nancy Morton, the Chief Financial Officer at Octagon, manages the fiscal health and long-term financial planning for the agency. Morton oversees global budgeting, financial reporting, and capital allocation, ensuring that resources support the core mission of sports and entertainment marketing. By analyzing complex financial data, the Chief Financial Officer provides actionable insights to the executive team, facilitating informed decision-making regarding investments and talent acquisition. Nancy Morton directs the financial operations department, maintaining rigorous standards for compliance and risk management. This leadership role requires constant interaction with the Board to report on performance metrics and growth trajectories. Through the optimization of internal financial processes, the Chief Financial Officer enhances operational efficiency across all agency divisions. Morton secures the financial stability of the organization, enabling the continued pursuit of innovative sponsorship and representation strategies that define the market position of the agency.
Nicole Sarakos - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Nicole Sarakos, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Octagon, directs the financial strategy and corporate development functions of the agency. Sarakos oversees the integration of financial planning with business growth objectives, specifically focusing on the expansion of athlete representation and sponsorship portfolios. By managing the financial infrastructure, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the agency maintains a competitive edge in the sports and entertainment industry. Nicole Sarakos leads initiatives to optimize revenue streams and improve profitability through data-driven analysis. This leadership role involves close coordination with other C-suite members to align financial resources with strategic marketing goals. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the sustainable growth of the agency. Sarakos drives fiscal discipline, ensuring that all investments contribute directly to the long-term success of the organization.
Merrill Shields - President
Merrill Shields, the President at Octagon, leads the overarching business strategy and organizational development for the agency. Shields focuses on internal scaling and the refinement of service delivery models within the sports and entertainment sectors. By directing the efforts of senior management, the President ensures that the agency maintains its reputation for excellence in talent representation and marketing. Merrill Shields cultivates a culture of innovation, encouraging the development of new sponsorship platforms that connect brands with global audiences. This leadership role involves overseeing the long-term vision of the agency, ensuring that all departments remain aligned with the core mission. Through the strategic management of human capital and operational resources, the President drives organizational growth and market influence. Shields maintains a focus on high-level performance, ensuring that the agency continues to deliver exceptional value to athletes and corporate clients alike.
Lou Kovacs - Events, President, Marketing (North America)
Lou Kovacs, the Events, President, Marketing (North America) at Octagon, directs all experiential marketing and event-based sponsorship initiatives across the North American market. Kovacs architects large-scale activations that elevate brand presence for corporate partners and athletes. By overseeing the events division, the Events, President, Marketing (North America) ensures that every campaign aligns with the strategic goals of the agency. Lou Kovacs manages the logistics and creative execution of high-profile sports events, driving engagement and measurable impact for clients. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with marketing teams to integrate event strategies into broader brand narratives. Through the optimization of event operations, the Events, President, Marketing (North America) enhances the market position of the agency within the competitive North American landscape. Kovacs secures the success of complex activations, ensuring that all events deliver superior results for the diverse portfolio of the agency.

Charles Zicari - President
Charles Zicari, the President at Octagon, manages the supply chain logistics and operational infrastructure required to support global talent representation and marketing services. Zicari focuses on the technical and logistical aspects of agency operations, ensuring that all service delivery channels function with maximum efficiency. By directing the operational teams, the President optimizes the backend processes that support the work of agents and marketing professionals. Charles Zicari implements scalable systems that allow the agency to handle complex talent contracts and sponsorship agreements with precision. This leadership role involves coordinating with the executive team to ensure that operational capabilities match the strategic ambitions of the agency. Through the continuous improvement of internal workflows, the President drives productivity and supports the overall growth of the organization. Zicari maintains a focus on operational reliability, ensuring that the agency remains a leader in the sports and entertainment industry.
Taylor Rice - Chief of Staff
Taylor Rice, the Chief of Staff at Octagon, coordinates strategic initiatives and facilitates communication across the executive leadership team. Rice manages the operational workflow of the office, ensuring that organizational priorities align with the agency mission of sports and entertainment representation. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff enhances collaboration between departments, including marketing, sponsorship, and talent management. Taylor Rice monitors the execution of key projects, providing the necessary support to ensure timely delivery and high-quality outcomes. This leadership role involves managing complex schedules and high-priority tasks that impact the overall efficiency of the agency. Through the facilitation of cross-departmental synergy, the Chief of Staff drives organizational performance and supports the long-term vision of the leadership team. Rice maintains a focus on operational agility, ensuring that the agency remains responsive to the evolving needs of athletes and corporate partners.
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