The Portland Timbers were awarded the Digital Content Experience of the Year, for their video piece “The Rivalry,” and senior manager of team operations Spencer Childs was named the MLS Team Administrator of the Year for the 2018 season, it was announced Friday evening in Chicago as part of the 2018 MLS Club and Executive Award winners. Each year the league executive awards recognize individuals and clubs for outstanding contributions off the playing field.
The Timbers’ marketing and digital departments were singled out for the their work on “The Rivalry,” a mocumentary piece in the style of filmmaker Ken Burns that chronicled the history of Timbers-Seattle Sounders FC rivalry (see above). The piece was released on May 8, 2018, in the lead-up to the 100th all-time meeting of Portland and Seattle.
Childs, who originally joined the Timbers in 2013, plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations of the team, including logistics and travel, and was named the top team admin of the year for his efforts this past season.
Members of the Timbers’ ticket services staff also received recognition during the week as Traci Swanson (99.49 percent), Dan Zusman (99.41 percent), Nicole Tillett (98.85 percent) and Jamie Bungarz (98.29 percent) earned Distinction Awards for exceptional renewal rates and servicing. Additionally, Ali Valentine (98.97 percent) and Leah Gross (98.23 percent) earned Excellence Awards for exceptional renewal rates and servicing.
