Comcast SportsNet Chicago names Jay Wadhwa as Sr. Director of Creative Services

Comcast SportsNet, the television home of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox, has appointed 20+ year television/media veteran and Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award winner Jay Wadhwa to the newly-created position of Sr. Director of Creative Services, effective November 4, 2013.

Jay Wadhwa

In his new position, Wadhwa will be responsible for all of Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s creative services efforts, including the network’s brand marketing, on-air and digital promotional campaigns, event and social media marketing, and creative services integration with the NBC Sports Group.

“Jay is a well-respected creative services leader in this city with a proven track-record of success on numerous levels on both the local and national media fronts,” says Phil Bedella, Vice President/General Manager for Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “His energy and enthusiasm is highly regarded throughout the industry and we are delighted he will lead our network’s creative services efforts to the next level.”

Wadhwa’s creative services experience is extensive, evidenced by his prior work in both the local broadcast and national sports television worlds.  Since 2004, Wadhwa has been employed by WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Chicago, working his way up to Manager, Local Brand Marketing/Creative Services in 2009.  During his tenure at WMAQ-TV, Wadhwa managed the local broadcast network’s creative services team through targeted creative deployment for product brand and content, which included copy/visual design. He also successfully led the network’s efforts in cross-platform market branding and audience development through strategic positioning via on-air, online and social media.  In addition, he managed all agency creative development and cross-market projects to enhance local/national brand execution.

Prior to joining WMAQ-TV, Wadhwa worked as a Writer/Producer for ESPN’s consumer marketing division from 2001-2004, where he created image, topical and special event on-air spots, along with producing sales, affiliate and marketing presentations.  Past positions also included Writer/Producer/Editor on-air advertising & promotion stints at WCBS-TV in New York and at MSNBC.

A native of Glenview, IL, Wadhwa attended Glenbrook South H.S. before attending Boston University, where he graduated with a degree in Broadcast Advertising in 1991.