Arturo "Art" Marquez, who helped launch both the NFL and MLB networks, has been named senior vice president of affiliate sales and marketing for the nascent Pac-12 Networks.
Marquez comes to the Pac-12 Network after serving as SVP of distribution, affiliate sales and marketing at MLB Network. He will be responsible for establishing and implementing all affiliate operational components for launch as well as setting the national and regional sales and marketing strategies for the networks.
"Art brings a significant amount of experience in all facets of affiliate sales and marketing to the Pac-12 Networks," President of Pac-12 Enterprises Gary Stevenson said in a release. "He is an accomplished leader, has deep contacts in the industry and has the experience of starting up successful networks. We are very fortunate to be able to add someone as talented as Art to our team."
Marquez got his start in the media industry as a regional sales manager for NBC Cable Networks in 1993. He moved up to regional director of affiliate relations for NBC in 1996 before becoming director of affiliate sales for Univision Communications in 1997. He led a 14-person national sales team for two years before going back to NBC as a VP of affiliate sales in 1999.
During the three years at NBC, Marquez established the eastern region sales strategy for four networks and the launch of the Olympics on cable: CNBC, MSNBC, ShopNBC and CNBC World, Pac-12 Networks said.
In 2003, Marquez joined the National Football League as VP of affiliate sales and video on demand for the new NFL Network, managing the VOD and HDTV programming and product delivery to affiliates. He also negotiated master deals with the major multiple system operators.
"What the Pac-12 has created with the national network and six regional networks is really unique and very attractive," Marquez said in the release. "It's a storied Conference with great schools and an unlimited supply of compelling content. People are really going to embrace the new networks and I'm very excited to be on the ground floor to help build it."
In July 2011, the Pac-12 announced the creation of Pac-12 Networks, which will include a national network and six regional networks, in conjunction with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks, set to launch in August 2012. It was the first time a U.S. collegiate conference or any other programmer has launched a collection of networks across a variety of platforms rather than a sole network. It also includes "TV everywhere" rights, permitting the networks to be viewed outside customers' homes on any digital device, such as smartphones and tablet computers, creating a virtual "Pac-12 Everywhere."
