Univision Names SVP of Business Development

NEW YORK: Univision Communications has appointed Rick Alessandri as senior VP of business development.

Alessandri spent more than ten years at ESPN, serving in a range of roles that culminated in senior VP and managing director for the X Games franchise and senior VP for ESPN Enterprises and consumer products. While working on X Games, Alessandri was responsible for managing the global business operations for the franchise, including two U.S.-based X Games events.

Randy Falco, the executive VP and COO of Univision Communications to whom Alessandri will report, said: “Rick Alessandri’s bottom line orientation will be an important asset to Univision as we look to expand the Company while creating a variety of new revenue streams both on- and off-air. Rick is recognized for his successful track record of nurturing existing brands while turning them into new franchises.”

Alessandri added: “I am so excited to join Univision, the  number-one brand for Hispanic America, and look forward to leveraging our unparalleled brand strength and deep relationship with the country’s fastest growing consumer segment to develop and build new brand extensions and business opportunities with world-class partners."