NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today that Gary Zarr, currently the Senior Vice President for Communications & Business Development for the American Museum of Natural History, will join the NBA as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, responsible for all of the league’s domestic and international marketing and communications functions. He will report to NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver.

Carol Albert, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Brian McIntyre, Senior Vice President, Basketball Communications, and Mike Bass, Senior Vice President, Marketing Communications, will report to Zarr.

With more than 20 years experience in communications and marketing, Zarr, 53, has long been recognized as an industry leader for his expertise in strategic global communications.

"Gary is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in communications, marketing and business development," said Stern. "As the NBA’s business expands globally and digitally, and with the continued growth of the WNBA, the NBA Development League, NBA Cares, NBA.com, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, the NBA Store and other initiatives, it is increasingly important for us to speak to diverse audiences and coordinate our marketing and messaging. A communicator and marketer with Gary's proven track record is an enormously valuable and essential addition."

At the Museum, Zarr is responsible for internal and external communications, marketing, branding and numerous business areas including the museum’s retail and licensing operations, public programs, publishing and digital media.

In addition to leading the suite of communications departments which he developed, Zarr directs AMNH Expeditions, the Museum's educational-travel business and launched the global distribution of Museum traveling content, such as traveling exhibitions, Hayden Planetarium Space Shows and Science Bulletins.

"I am very excited and proud to be joining the highly talented and skilled team at the NBA," said Zarr, who will begin his new job on March 12, 2007. "I look forward to making a contribution to the continued growth and success of one of the world's most dynamic, living brands by helping to tell its many compelling and important stories to audiences around the world."

Prior to joining the Museum in January 1999 as Senior Vice President for Communications & Marketing, Zarr was Executive Vice President and Assistant to the President at Howard Rubenstein Associates. His responsibilities included a practice in the corporate, public, and non-profit sectors, and ranged from crisis management for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the British Tourist Authority to the promotion of the NYC Host Committee for the 1992 Democratic National Convention and the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations, the NY 93 - NY 96 promotions of New York City, Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Loews Hotels, the Goodwill Games, the All Star Cafe, Discovery cards, and Disney World.

Zarr recently chaired the Cultural Institutions Committee of NYC & Co., and served on the NYC & Co. Foundation, and has been active in promoting the City, in particular New York's cultural community in the wake of 9/11. Zarr serves on the Board Trustees of the Municipal Art Society, and is an advisor to Columbia University's graduate program in Strategic Global Communications.

Zarr received his B.A. in English and Biology in 1975 and his M.A. in Journalism, in 1983 both from New York University.