The Tibetan mandala is a tool for gaining wisdom and compassion and generally is depicted as a tightly balanced, geometric composition.
Now, Univision Communications has committed to its own Mandala as it seeks to retain its tightly balanced ad sales efforts.
In a midday announcement on Thursday, the Hispanic- and millennial-focused multimedia company selected EVP/Ad Sales Steve Mandala to succeed the retiring Keith Turner by becoming President/Advertising Sales & Marketing.
The move is effective immediately, allowing Mandala to transition into the role while working directly alongside Turner, who will retire later this year. With the promotion, Mandala remains in New York.
Mandala reports to the newly promoted Chief Revenue Officer Tonia O’Connor.
In his new role, Mandala will oversee advertising sales and marketing for the Univision Network, UniMás, cable networks including Galavisión and Univision Deportes Network, and Univision’s local media and digital arms.
“Steve is an exceptional media industry leader whose reputation for being effectual and original precedes him,” said O’Connor. “His unique sales and marketing acumen and strong leadership has been instrumental in delivering UCI’s engaged audiences to our advertising partners across the portfolio. We are delighted to have Steve at the helm of our sales team to continue to foster existing relationships as well as introduce new ones to UCI.”
Mandala commented, “I am honored to lead our remarkable UCI Advertising Sales and Marketing team as our industry and our company continue to rapidly evolve. I have the utmost respect for the Company’s ubiquitous, valuable brand and the service it renders to our growing audiences. As the industry continues to evolve and diverse audiences, including U.S. Hispanics, influence our country and culture, UCI will provide unparalleled experiences for advertisers to interact with these consumers. We have the finest sales professionals in the industry and, as we work even more collaboratively across UCI, I am excited about the future before us.”
Mandala rejoined Univision in October 2012 after a 15-year stint NBCUniversal Hispanic Enterprises, which oversees Univision’s biggest rival, Telemundo. At NBCU, he was EVP/Cable Entertainment Sales, focused primarily on the Universo network’s predecessor, mun2. Before that, from 1999-2007, Mandala was SVP/Telemundo Network Sales, Marketing & Distribution. From 1997-1999, he was VP of Telemundo Station and Affiliate Sales.
Mandala served as Univision’s West Coast Sales VP from 1994-1999.
A graduate of the University of Southern California, Mandala began his career in Hispanic media in Los Angeles, as an Account Executive for Telemundo and its KVEA-52.
