FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 5th, 2017

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO ANNOUNCES A PAIR OF EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS

Chicago, IL (October 5, 2017) – NBC Sports Chicago, the home for the most games and the most comprehensive multi-platform coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox, has announced the promotion of Kevin Cross to the position of Vice President of Content and Jessica Felten as the Director of Marketing.  Both promotions are effective immediately.  The official announcement was made by Bill Bridgen, President & Group Leader, NBC Sports Regional Networks.

In the newly-created position as Vice President of Content, Cross will lead NBC Sports Chicago’s comprehensive and growing portfolio of multi-platform content including live events, programming, digital media, news, and original content, across online, mobile, and social assets.  As Director of Marketing, Felten will be responsible for all of NBC Sports Chicago’s marketing & creative services efforts.

“Both Kevin and Jessica have been major contributors and integral assets to the growth of NBC Sports Chicago,” said Bridgen.  “Their experience, leadership, and forward-thinking mindset will be critical factors in our multi-platform efforts moving forward.”

Previously Sr. Director of News & Original Content at NBC Sports Chicago (formerly CSN Chicago) for the past five years, Cross was instrumental in the creation of an original content division that produced feature-length, award-winning documentaries (including “5 Outs,” “Believe,” and “Reign Men”), along with bringing in a significant roster of former/current Chicago pro athletes as network contributors and producing/managing the network’s acclaimed coverage of multiple pro team championship seasons.

Cross began his sports TV career at SportsChannel Chicago in 1993 as a producer, earning Emmys for writing and for his work on Bulls pre/post-game shows during the team’s championship run.  During the network’s transition to Fox Sports Chicago in 1998, Cross was promoted to senior producer and orchestrated the network’s live pre/post-game shows for both Bulls and White Sox telecasts, along with a number of sports magazine series.  In 2000, Cross became President/Executive Producer of Timeline Productions, where he created syndicated sports programming for national distribution (including Fox Sports) in 65 million households.  In 2003, Cross joined CLTV as executive producer of their sports dept., where he oversaw all editorial content and helped create the network’s popular Sports Page Roundtable & SP Express programs.  A native of Chicago’s southside, Cross received his degree in television production from Chicago’s Columbia College.

Felten previously held the title of Marketing Manager at NBC Sports Chicago for the past four years, spearheading numerous cross-departmental initiatives, along with joint promotional activities with the network’s pro team partners.  In addition, Felten has led the network’s affiliate marketing efforts in multiple outer market territories, and directed multi-platform marketing/sales/promotion initiatives, which include establishing and executing the network’s social media planning and campaigns.

Prior to joining NBC Sports Chicago, Felten spent four years Crate & Barrel’s corporate offices in Northbrook, Ill. There, Felten developed numerous social media strategies and tactical plans for the retail industry entity, overseeing social media messaging, measurement and content, and brand objectives.  Felten earned her degree in business marketing management from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.

NBC Sports Chicago, a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year.  In addition, NBC Sports Chicago delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as the Chicago Bears, along with numerous entertaining local sports discussion/social media-focused programs via In the Loop and SportsTalk Live.  Through the network’s growing digital platform, NBCSportsChicago.com, Chicago sports fans tap into the most comprehensive and dedicated 24/7 online destination for breaking news, up-to-the-minute game previews/recaps, highlights, multimedia video clips, and standout coverage from the network’s team of “Insiders.”  Follow the network on Twitter via @NBCSChicago.  

NBC Sports Regional Networks is NBC Sports Group’s portfolio of nine regional networks that delivers more than 2,200 live sporting events and original content to more than 35 million homes. Aligned within Eastern and Western Divisions, the NBC Sports Regional Networks are: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia +, NBC Sports Washington, NBC Sports Washington + and SNY; and NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Northwest. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit www.NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

 

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