In an effort to continue extending its brand throughout the nation, the National Hockey League today named Heidi Browning as its new executive vp and chief marketing officer, effective Oct. 10. She takes over for current CMO and evp of marketing Brian Jennings.

Browning joins the NHL from Pandora, where she was svp of strategic solutions.

In her new role Browning will be responsible for all of the league's major marketing campaigns, with a focus on digital and social pushes for the brand. She will also head up the NHL's environmental and social initiatives, including NHL Green and Hockey Fights Cancer.

Prior to her time at Pandora, Browning gained her digital marketing experience through working at Fox Interactive Media (MySpace) as svp, client solutions and evp, global digital officer at Universal McCann.

Browning's appointment also marks a milestone within the sports industry. Four women sit in the chief marketing officer role at four of the major sports leagues. With her appointment, Browning joins Dawn Hudson, CMO for the NFL, Pamela El, CMO for the NBA and Michelle Wilson chief revenue and marketing officer for WWE.

The NHL announced a number of other key appointments, all aimed at expanding the league's marketing efforts and all are effective immediately. Brian Jennings was named chief branding officer, in charge of promoting and evolving the image of the NHL brand, while Steve Mayer will take on the role of evp and chief content officer.