Frank Vuono (Emeritus)
Frank Vuono (Emeritus)
Partner Emeritus
Heralded as one of the most influential and prominent executives in the sports marketing industry, Frank Vuono’s vast experience has helped set today’s marketing standard in professional sports and entertainment. Vuono co-founded 16W Marketing, LLC in 2000 and oversaw the growth of its Corporate Division. Vuono, with expertise in strategic marketing, intellectual property rights, merchandising and e-commerce, has negotiated record-breaking partnerships in naming rights, sponsorship and licensing as well as ticket/suite sales.
Vuono is currently semi-retired and consults with companies in the licensing business through his 4th Quarter marketing company. In his emeritus role with 16W Marketing, he advises as requested by the Managing Partner.
While active at 16W from 2000-20023, Vuono advised clients including Quest Diagnostics, Tailored Brands, Encore Capital Management, Pro Football Hall of Fame, IMG College-Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), Panasonic, Aramark, NIKE, Fanatics, New York Giants, Rita’s Ice, NFL Alumni Association (NFLA), The Experts Network (TXN) and Competitor Group. He was personally hired by the NFL Commissioner’s office to assist the New Orleans Saints (post Hurricane Katrina) in securing millions of dollars in revenue to ensure the Saints’ future in Louisiana.
Vuono co-founded Integrated Sports International (ISI) in 1993. As CEO & President of ISI, Vuono spearheaded programs for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Burger King, DHL and Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Vuono led innovative licensing/branding programs for GM’s Cadillac Division, General Mills’ Wheaties and personalities Steve Young, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kordell Stewart. His ISI team also set benchmarks in stadium/arena naming rights sales in San Francisco, Charlotte, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Miami.
In 1999, ISI was acquired by SFX Entertainment and Vuono became President of SFX Sports Group’s Marketing Division.
During his tenure as Vice President of Retail Licensing for NFL Properties (NFLP) from 1985-1993, Vuono built sales of licensed products from approximately $300 million to over $2.5 billion. He launched integrated marketing programs that included NFL Pro Line, NFL Pro Shop (with Payne Stewart) and NFL Throwbacks. Vuono co-founded the NFL Quarterback Club and became the QBC’s Executive Director.
Vuono’s strategic approach to marketing was honed during his days at Young & Rubicam, where he managed programs for Johnson & Johnson, P&G, General Foods and KFC.
A proud New Jerseyan, Vuono is active in several community and philanthropic endeavors. He is Vice-Chairman of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Hospitals Board of Trustees. He also serves on the HMH Network Foundation Board, the HMH Strategic Planning Committee and is Chairman of the HMH marketing sub-committee. In addition, Vuono serves on the Board of Directors of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and served nine years on the Glen Ridge Country Club Board of Trustees, four as president.
The proud Princeton University alumnus currently serves on its Alumni Council, on the Princeton Varsity Club Board of Advisors and as chairman emeritus of the Princeton Football Association. In 2025, Vuono was honored as Princeton’s recipient at the Ivy Football Association Dinner in New York City.
He and his wife Dorothy reside in his hometown of Lyndhurst, NJ and have three married daughters and five grandchildren.