LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Committed to providing creative approaches to specialized industry risks, Lockton, the world's largest privately held insurance broker, announced today a new Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice. Part of Lockton's Pacific Operations, the group is introducing a unique model, the first of its kind in the industry, which crosses over and integrates multiple vertical markets. Jared Mitilier, a 15-year industry veteran, has been named to lead the team.

"The recent convergence of gaming, entertainment, and sports properties into an integrated business model, along with promotion and event marketing, branded entertainment, and conferences creates a daunting scope and intensity of risk for such companies," says Jared Mitilier, Senior Vice President, Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice.

"Gaming, entertainment and sports executives expect insurance brokers to have a deep understanding of each respective industry. Our new group, led by Jared's expertise, experience, and vision, is introducing an integrated model to provide more creative and cost effective risk management strategies that will address our clients' evolving risk requirements," explains Lenny Fodemski, Chief Operating Officer of Lockton's Pacific Operations.

For more than 15 years, Mitilier has specialized in risk management solutions for entities across all facets within the industry, including hotels, casinos, racetracks, major Hollywood studios, professional leagues and teams, actors, athletes, and music touring groups. Prior to joining Lockton, he served as National Hospitality & Gaming Practice Leader for Marsh as well as Managing Director of Nevada and National Gaming Practice leader for Wells Fargo Insurance Services.

"Lockton's entrepreneurial culture, organizational structure, and global resources provides the perfect platform for a combined Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice, one which will deliver the ultimate customer service and product solutions which cross over multiple industries," explains Mitilier. "Our ability to provide product and sub-segment expertise will offer an enhanced and exceptional level of client touch in an industry that demands quick execution due to the 24/7 nature of its operations."

Joining the Lockton team are Marlene Benoit, Promotion & Events Leader, and Lindsey Criswell, Account Manager. Benoit has more than 17 years of experience underwriting and brokering unique promotional risk management services on some of the world's most highly publicized events. Her substantial product expertise includes event cancellation and non-appearance, special event liability, prize indemnity, over redemption, and weather insurance. Benoit previously served in the role of Promotion & Events Leader for Marsh and Vice President of Business Development for iC Specialty Brokers.

Lindsey Criswell is responsible for client servicing, advising on risk management strategies, deepening relationships with underwriters, and assisting in the development of new business opportunities for the practice. Prior to Lockton, Criswell was a Client Representative for Marsh's Hospitality & Gaming Practice and a Sales Associate for CS STARS, a subsidiary of Marsh.

"Our clients will benefit tremendously from the expertise and in-depth knowledge our new team brings to the table," adds Fodemski. "We are extremely proud to attract such a high caliber team of industry specialists."

Lockton's Gaming, Entertainment & Sports Practice provides a wide range of risk management solutions to clients, including property and casualty, workers compensation, management liability, employee benefits, and specialty risks. Additional services the practice will focus on include policy analysis, legal review, loss control and safety, and claims advocacy. Such expertise will assist clients in identifying their emerging perils while significantly lowering their total cost of risk.

About Lockton

More than 4,950 professionals at Lockton provide 35,000 clients around the world with risk management, insurance, and employee benefits consulting services that improve their businesses. From its founding in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, Lockton has attracted entrepreneurial professionals who have driven its growth to become the largest privately held insurance broker in the world and 9th largest overall. Independent researcher Greenwich Associates has awarded Lockton its Service Excellence Award for risk management for large companies. For five consecutive years, Business Insurance has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance."

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SOURCE Lockton