TV sports exec named to Marketing Hall of Fame
April 22, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- A television sports executive involved in a start-up venture called The Tennis Channel is the latest alumnus of Western Michigan University's marketing program to be honored for his accomplishments.
Randy B. Brown of Chicago was inducted into the Marketing Alumni Hall of Fame in the Haworth College of Business at a dinner program Friday, April 19, at WMU's Fetzer Center. Brown received the Outstanding Marketing Alumni Award, which recognizes professional accomplishments, community leadership and dedicated service to the University.
Brown is currently senior vice president for The Tennis Channel, a new cable network targeted for launch in November. The channel plans to program tennis tournaments, instruction and news 24 hours a day. His role focuses on licensing the network to the top cable and satellite distributors, including Time Warner, Comcast, Charter and DirecTV.
Previously, Brown worked as North American president of Media Access Technologies, known as MATE, which develops video recognition technologies for channel navigation, digital asset management and closed-circuit surveillance. Prior to joining MATE, he served as a vice president for the central division of ESPN, where he oversaw domestic distribution of the company's cable networks in 17 states. During his 14-year career with the cable sports network, he held several positions in sales and marketing, and helped launch ESPN2 and ESPNEWS.
"Randy has made a major commitment to WMU and he's given an incredible amount of time at the classroom level," says Dr. Andrew W. Brogowicz, chairperson of the Department of Marketing. "He relates very well to the students and encourages them to pursue their passions, and he dispenses some of the most practical, helpful career advice I've heard. We honor him for his devotion to WMU and his impressive professional accomplishments."
Brown graduated from WMU's marketing program in 1984. He went on to earn an MBA at Loyola University in Chicago, graduating with honors in May 2000. He serves on the WMU faculty as an adjunct assistant professor, speaks frequently at marketing events on campus and is a member of the Haworth College of Business Alumni Society.
Media contact: Jessica English, 269 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu