(CHICAGO) – Phil Bedella, a 14-year advertising sales and sports marketing veteran, has been named the new Vice President/General Sales Manager for Fox Sports Net Chicago. James J. Corno, Fox Sports Net Chicago's Senior Vice President/General Manager, made the announcement.
In his new position, Bedella, who most recently held the title of Local Sales Manager for Fox Sports Net Chicago since December of 1999, will be responsible for all facets of Fox Sports Net's advertising sales efforts, including the development and implementation of FSN's advertising goals, along with overseeing the local sales team.
"During Phil's tenure as our Local Sales Manager, our local advertising sales efforts have improved in countless ways," said Corno. "From significant growth in advertising revenue to increasing our visibility in the market, Phil's leadership has resulted in our making major inroads with area advertisers. He's demonstrated the ability to take our overall advertising efforts to the next level."
Bedella's sales experience is extensive, evidenced by his prior work in television/ radio sales, along with a solid background in local sports marketing. He was the Sports Sales Manager for CBS Sports Marketing, handling Chicago Blackhawks and Bears accounts for WMAQ AM from 1997-99. Prior to that, Bedella, 37, spent eight seasons with the Chicago Cubs marketing department holding various positions, including Manager of Advertising & Special Events and Skybox Sales Manager.
A native of Chicago Ridge, IL, Bedella graduated from Illinois State University in 1988 with a degree in communications.
Fox Sports Net Chicago reaches more than 3.8 million households in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. Fox Sports Net Chicago's programming includes Chicago Bulls basketball, Chicago Blackhawks hockey, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs baseball, Chicago Fire soccer, "The Best Damn Sports Show Period," NASCAR and "54321." Fox Sports Net Chicago is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks.
Rainbow Sports Networks is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Fox Sports Net reaches more than 79 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and Fox Entertainment Group. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership in Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, San Francisco, New England, Ohio and Florida.