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Dev Sethi
Head of Sports, Instagram
Professional Background
Dev Sethi has established himself as a prominent figure in the sports industry, particularly through his role at Instagram. As the Head of Sports at Instagram, Dev has been instrumental in shaping the platform's engagement with sports fans and athletes alike. His work at Instagram not only emphasizes the growing intersection of social media and sports but also shows how digital platforms can enhance fan experiences and athlete visibility. With a deep understanding of marketing and community engagement, Dev has played a key role in curating sports content that resonates with millions around the world.
Education and Achievements
Dev's academic journey began at Flint Hill School, an institution known for its rigorous academic curriculum and emphasis on leadership and character development. Building on this strong foundation, he pursued further studies at the prestigious University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, he earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Marketing. This education equipped Dev with critical skills in brand development, consumer behavior, and strategic communication, all of which are essential in his current role at the intersection of sports and digital communication.
Achievements
At Instagram, Dev has leveraged his expertise in marketing to enhance the platform's offerings for sports content. Under his leadership, Instagram has engaged sports fans like never before, allowing athletes a dynamic space to connect with their audience while also giving fans unprecedented access to their favorite teams and athletes. Dev’s innovative approach to sports marketing has not only contributed to Instagram's growth in this sector but also demonstrated the transformative power of social media in creating communities around shared passions.
Dev Sethi's journey from a student at Flint Hill School to a key player at Instagram exemplifies a commitment to excellence and a passion for sports and marketing. His contributions to the industry reflect not only his talents but also his understanding of the unique role that digital platforms play in modern sports culture.
Highlights
Unfortunately I join the ranks of those who lost their jobs today as part of #metalayoffs. There are too many feelings to properly express here, but two I'll call out: Pride and Regret.
Pride For:
• Being entrepreneurial in a place as vast as Meta. • Pulling the company into the future in so many ways, perhaps most importantly creating a practice around student athletes way ahead of schedule, and with team members so incredibly passionate, persistent, and unwavering in their belief in the face of challenges and complexities. Leading them and being alongside them was an honor that made my heart full each day. • Giving every ounce of myself to this job, this role, and these industries. It came at great sacrifice, but those are sacrifices I would make again in a heartbeat. • Being acknowledged by the sports industry for my vision, work, and dedication; it's strange to reconcile having earned such a prestigious recognition as being on Sports Business Journal's Forty under 40, with the devastation of being impacted by today's layoffs. • So much more that can't and shouldn't fit in a LinkedIn post.
Regret That:
• I can't continue to be of service to athletes, teams, leagues, media companies, creators, and other organizations in the same capacity that I've been able to for the past ~5 years. • The incredible team left behind has to honor many of the commitments I encouraged us to make in 2023, while they do so with less people around them, less resources, and one less champion to support them 'on and off the field.' • It'll be my twin brother, who was laid off by Meta back in November, who has to take me out to lunch this time around.
My Meta Outlook would show you that I had committed every ounce of myself to my company, team, my partners up until the very hour I was informed of my outcome. As strange as it'll be to take a break from that, I've got no choice and maybe that's a good thing.
I've been lucky to marry my passion for sports with my professions for years now, and my hope is to continue that marriage in whatever lies ahead. To that end, to those kind enough to have offered their support, I'd ask:
• Reach out, even if it's just to catchup, trade messages, jump on a Zoom call, etc. The relationships have always mattered to me 10x more than the work, which is a lot given how much I cared about the work. • Share this post with anyone you think I know or who would be interested in knowing this news. As I process the emotions of today, I think part of my healing will be receiving support and empathy on the frontside of this experience vs. a slow burn.
Ironically, one picture I'm posting here is one taken for the upcoming SBJ profile on me that includes a few commemoratives from my time and work at Meta. The second picture is what helped me this morning as the devastation sunk in: one loving partner (not pictured) who brought our 3 dogs upstairs to give me a little bit of comfort.
