1631 Digital launches sports marketing division and names vice president

1631 Digital has launched a full-service sports marketing division aimed at teams, schools, leagues and sports brands, and named Christian Heimall to lead it. The move expands the agency into a specialized vertical focused on attendance, revenue, fan engagement and sponsorship growth.

Why it matters: - 1631 Digital Sports Marketing gives the agency a dedicated unit for sports clients that need help with attendance, ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, fan engagement and market growth. - The division expands 1631 Digital into a specialized industry vertical at a time when sports organizations are under pressure to deepen audience connections and monetize those relationships.

What happened: - 1631 Digital announced the launch of 1631 Digital Sports Marketing, a full-service sports marketing division. - The agency named Christian Heimall vice president of sports marketing to lead the new division. - The division is aimed at professional sports teams, collegiate athletic programs, amateur leagues, sports venues, governing bodies and sports-related brands. - The announcement was made June 11, 2026.

The details: - 1631 Digital Sports Marketing will offer digital advertising, sports advertising, ticket sales campaigns, season ticket marketing, sponsorship activation, fan engagement programs, social media strategy, public relations, creative development, media buying, event promotion, strategic communications, traditional media placement, crisis communications, geofencing, audience targeting and data-driven marketing campaigns. - The division will also support universities, athletic departments, NIL collectives, conference partners and collegiate athletic programs with enrollment marketing, donor communications, fundraising support, athlete brand development and community engagement initiatives. - Joe Corbe, founder and CEO of 1631 Digital, said Christian Heimall brings sports industry expertise, operational leadership and marketing creativity. - Heimall brings more than a decade of experience across sports management, baseball operations, event marketing, media relations, fan engagement, enrollment marketing and organizational leadership. - Heimall joined 1631 Digital after serving as general manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. - At the Blue Crabs, Heimall oversaw an ownership transition and implemented policies that increased ticket sales and corporate partnership revenue. - Heimall previously spent three years at High Point University as director of enrollment guest experience. - At High Point University, Heimall oversaw prospective student visit experiences, including campus tours and admissions events. - Heimall and his team helped set university attendance records for admissions events, contributed to a record-setting freshman class and helped drive three consecutive years of record overall enrollment. - Before High Point University, Heimall spent four years with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League. - He joined the Rockers as assistant general manager during the team’s inaugural 2019 season and became general manager before the 2020 season. - During his tenure with the Rockers, the team made playoff appearances in two of three active seasons, including an Atlantic League Championship Series appearance in 2022. - Players under Heimall’s leadership earned All-Star recognition and moved on to Major League Baseball and Mexican League organizations. - Heimall helped establish Truist Point as one of independent baseball’s premier destinations. - Truist Point earned Atlantic League Ballpark of the Year honors in 2019 and 2022. - The Rockers received Best Mascot recognition during their inaugural season. - Heimall helped develop a September 11 community remembrance event that was named the Atlantic League’s Promotion of the Year in 2021. - Heimall said his career has centered on the idea that the experience is everything. - Heimall said he is excited to help organizations grow audiences, strengthen brands and deepen engagement through sports marketing, communications and advertising.

Between the lines: - 1631 Digital is using the launch to signal broader growth beyond general digital marketing into niche, industry-specific services. - Heimall’s background blends sports operations and enrollment marketing, which suggests the division may pitch itself on both fan acquisition and broader audience-development work. - The client list points to a strategy that reaches beyond pro teams into colleges, venues and governing bodies, where revenue growth and engagement challenges often overlap.

What’s next: - 1631 Digital Sports Marketing will now court clients across professional sports, collegiate athletics, amateur leagues, tournaments, venues, governing bodies and sports-related businesses. - The company directs prospective clients to more information about the new division. - The agency is positioning the division to deliver integrated marketing, communications, audience development, sponsorship activation and revenue growth solutions.

The bottom line: - 1631 Digital is betting that a dedicated sports marketing practice led by an experienced operator can win business in a crowded market where measurable fan growth and revenue performance matter most.