MARK BIVENOUR TO JOIN COLUMBUS SPORTS NETWORK

New Senior VP of Marketing and Sales heads up CSN                                                                                                
Columbus Sports Network President and Chief Operating Officer Randy Nungester announced that Mark Bivenour has been named Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

Bivenour comes to CSN after a long and stellar career at Columbus Distributing. Mark progressed from being an entry level Campus Representative to a Vice President and Senior Manager during his tenure with the company.

"We are proud to have a man with Mark's expertise and solid leadership background on our team as we start 2008," said Nungester. "He knows this market, what it takes to succeed in central Ohio, and he definitely knows his sports as well!"

For nearly a decade, Bivenour led a team of sales professionals to record sales growth and a record market share.   Active in the community, Mark has served on the board of a number of charitable institutions. He's also very involved in the sports community on a number of different levels. Bivenour has been a member of the Advisory Committee for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, a steering group that sells the attributes of Columbus to outside organizations looking for venues for their athletic events. An active sports dad, Mark has followed the wrestling careers of his sons and has even found time to be a youth baseball coach.

Bivenour says he sees plenty of parallels between heading up a sales force and working for Columbus Sports Network. "I think any effective sales chief has to also be a coach. Part of that includes being a leader, a mentor, and most importantly a listener. If you're not careful, some of the best corporate ideas may go unheard.   Like a coach, you have to have a marketing game plan, and that includes a realistic understanding of your goals, and what it takes to get your company to the next level.   To reach that youthful target audience, you have to understand that the group is educated, bright, and fast-moving."                        

"Mark's leadership is the perfect recipe for this company as we continue to expand in 2008," said COO Nungester. "He understands how difficult it can be for an advertiser to reach the 18-34 year old age group. In fact, he's made a living by being able to reach them, and offer them a product they can enjoy.   That kind of insight is a priceless commodity to any marketer trying to get the attention of that demographic. Mark is the perfect conduit for any advertiser looking to have their message heard."
                     
Mark Bivenour resides in Lewis Center, with his wife of 23 years, Amy. They are the proud parents of Brett, Greer, and Kyle.   

Columbus Sports Network is central Ohio's most comprehensive sports authority, showcasing central Ohio's professional, collegiate, scholastic and amateur sports and related news. CSN can be found on Time Warner-Ch. 78, Insight-Ch. 78 and 524, WOW!-Ch. 97, and over-the-air on Ch. 32. For more information, contact Randy Rhinehart, (614) 575-9000 or rrhinehart@columbussports.net.

Return to Press Releases