• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, July 31, 2007

Like top Hollywood talent agencies, sports marketing firm IMG wants to build its corporate consulting practice. On Monday, it tapped a new head of the unit: Chris Goodman as senior vice president of IMG Consulting.

In his new role at the firm, Goodman will oversee advisory services for Fortune 500-type companies in their efforts to link with both sports and entertainment properties. IMG's global consulting operation works with Coca-Cola, GE and Johnson & Johnson, among others.

The New York-based Goodman, who joins from consultancy Accenture, will report to Andy Pierce, IMG's senior corporate vice president and managing director of consulting.

Hollywood operations such as William Morris and CAA have looked beyond traditional roles of negotiating contracts and other talent rep duties to help blue-chip companies fuel their marketing efforts in the entertainment sphere. Similarly, IMG has looked to de-emphasize its long-rooted athlete representation operations.

"Chris brings to IMG an exceptional background in integrated marketing and combined with his strategic, business development and creative expertise will help IMG clients build global brands and increase sales," said Pierce.

At Accenture, Goodman was CMO of the communications and high-tech group. He logged 15 years at agency Y&R before moving to the consulting area.