Eagan, Minn. (April 5, 2022) – The Minnesota Vikings have named Jeff Anderson as the team's Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. Anderson, who is entering his 20th season with the team, will lead the communications department and direct all internal and external communications functions, including football, corporate and internal communications. He will serve on the Vikings executive leadership team and report directly to Vikings Chief Operating Officer Andrew Miller.
"Jeff has demonstrated his talent as a strategic communications executive and a compassionate leader focused on the development of our staff," said Miller. "He is extremely deserving of this role and will be a critical member of our executive leadership team cultivating relationships with media and leading our communications functions."
Prior to this move, Anderson served as the team's Vice President of Strategic & Corporate Communications where he oversaw communications plans on non-football initiatives, served as a primary media contact for Vikings ownership and provided media relations counsel for ownership, executives, coaches and players. In 2018, the Vikings communications staff received the Rozelle Award, given by the Pro Football Writers Association to the NFL public relations staff that displays consistent excellence in dealings and relationships with the media.
Anderson has held a number of roles inside the organization since joining as a public relations intern in 2003. He worked closely on the organization's internal stadium team in the quest to build a new home for Vikings football and oversaw communications efforts to drive local, national and international media coverage of the design, construction and opening of U.S. Bank Stadium.
"The trust and confidence Andrew Miller and the Wilf family have shown by moving me into this critical role is sincerely appreciated," said Anderson. "There is so much to admire about the Vikings organization, its fan base and the Minneapolis-St. Paul media market and community. I'm thankful to be able to continue my career where I began as an intern and to lead this talented communications team moving forward."
The Vikings also announced Vice President of Football Communications Bob Hagan will transition to the position of Senior Media/Historical Advisor through the 2022 season. Hagan, who is in his 32nd year with the Vikings, will retire from the organization at the conclusion of the 2022 season and will continue to advise on media and team history in a consulting role.
"I have felt like a kid in a candy store working at the Minnesota Vikings for the last 32 years," said Hagan. "It really has never felt like work. I am looking forward to transitioning into a new chapter of my Vikings life in my new role as Senior Media/Historical Advisor. I want to thank the Wilf family for everything they have done for me and my family and for what they have done for our community. I also want to thank the great PR staffs that I have been able to work with, both present and past. Although my daily duties will be changing, I will continue to have a presence with our communications staff working with both the local and national media and the broadcast teams. I will always strive to maintain the long-lasting, positive relationships that have been formed between the media and our club. I will continue to work with Kevin O'Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on certain aspects of their jobs as we tell the story of this great franchise. Being homegrown from Minnesota, the Vikings have always had a special place in my heart just as it has for so many other diehard Vikings fans. My entire family loves the Minnesota Vikings. In my new position, I look forward to preserving the wonderful heritage, positive connections and great traditions that we have grown to love about this organization."
"Jeff is an experienced communications executive who, along with our talented communications department, will continue to advance the Vikings connections with the media and fans," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "Bob has unparalleled knowledge of Vikings history and has developed strong relationships with the media, Vikings players and coaches throughout his career. We wish Bob and his family well and look forward to his continued contributions to the Vikings."
Lester Bagley, who has been with the organization since 2005, will continue his leadership role in the organization, including on external relations, government and legislative affairs, and will provide expertise on matters related to social impact and communications. Bagley will continue his leadership roles with Wilf family-owned entities, including MV Ventures and Orlando City/Orlando Pride, and his community-oriented leadership roles with prominent business and community organizations in Minnesota and nationally.
