The Anaheim Ducks announced Friday that the club has named Matt Savant to the role of President of Business Operations for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League.

Savant has served as Anaheim’s director of marketing and brand management and earlier as director of fan development since 2005.

“We are excited about today’s announcement and the energy and passion Matt will bring to the city of San Diego,” said Anaheim executive vice president/chief operating officer Tim Ryan. “The organization is proud of its track record of promoting from within. This move brings additional continuity between the Ducks and Gulls that will serve as a benefit to hockey fans in the Orange and San Diego County communities.”

With the Ducks, Savant has successfully built the Anaheim Ducks brand and implemented grass roots marketing initiatives throughout Orange County and beyond. Originally joining the organization in 2003, Savant oversaw all team marketing elements, premium sales marketing, graphic design and fan development in his role as Director of Marketing and Brant Management.

A resident of San Marcos, Calif., Savant joins the Gulls with over 17 years of marketing, advertising and fan development experience. Prior to joining the Ducks, he served in advertising and media planning with Mattel and Y&R Advertising, responsible for the custom publishing division for the Lincoln & Mercury brands. A 1999 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Savant played three years of hockey with the Falcons’ club team in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).