About Program

It takes a true team effort to successfully tackle sports public relations like a pro. Get a 360-degree view of how some of Chicago’s favorite sports franchises are innovating their PR programs, and how they’re choosing to deal with the hits when it comes to current affairs or employee activism in their arenas.

Huddle in with local communicators, reporters and PRSA Chicago on Tuesday, August 20 for a luncheon at Harry Caray’s—a venue opened in honor of the late Hall of Fame broadcaster and Chicago sports icon.

When: Tuesday, Aug. 20; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. CDT
Where: Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, 33 W. Kinzie Street (Old Comiskey/Wrigley Rooms on 2nd floor)

SPEAKERS

Kara E. Bachman
Executive Director, Chicago Sports Commission
@ChiSportsComm
Kara Bachman is the Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission (CSC), a part of Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organization for the city of Chicago. As Executive Director, Bachman is responsible for leading Chicago’s efforts in recruiting high profile, major sporting events that create visitor demand, drive significant economic impact, and generate positive media exposure for Chicago.

Joining CSC in January 2012 as Business Development Manager, Bachman was one of CSC’s first team members. Just over two years later, in April 2014, Bachman was promoted to Executive Director. Under her leadership, Chicago has won highly sought-after business with national and international appeal, such as: 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final, multiple Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournaments, the 2017 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, 2016 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, the 2015 and 2016 NFL draft, 2017 NHL Entry Draft, 2017 MLS All-Star Game and many others.

Bachman was responsible for bringing the NFL Draft to Chicago. New York was home to the NFL Draft for 51 years without interruption; luring the Draft out of New York was a major win for Chicago. Working hand-in-hand with the NFL, Bachman delivered an overwhelming success for the city and the NFL. Unlike any previous NFL Draft, the event concept was completely reinvented and real opportunity realized. The 2015 NFL Draft exceeded all expectations and brought 200,000 fans to Grant Park over three days, produced 36,000+ room nights, generated $81.6M in economic impact and 8.8M people tuned in for Round 1. Impressed with Chicago’s enthusiasm and Bachman’s leadership, the NFL decided to return to Chicago for a second consecutive year. The 2016 NFL Draft was bigger and better–225,000 attendees, 40,000+ room nights, and $88.1M in economic impact.

Bachman’s influential network extends globally and includes major professional leagues and teams such as the MLB, NHL, NFL and MLS, as well as international federations and national governing bodies, such as FIVB, IRB, ITU, USA Hockey, USA Rugby, USA Volleyball and many others. Bachman has brought international brands like the New Zealand All Blacks to the Chicago market, driving record-breaking attendance and occupancy rates that benefit locals and visitors alike. With her keen economic perspective and sharp business acumen, Bachman also launched CSC’s Corporate Partner Program as a new funding initiative in October 2012. The program, now in its 4th year, has brought in over $1.5M in funding to support CSC efforts.

A native Chicagoan and life-long athlete, Bachman started her career in sports as part of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee, where as the Development Manager she was part of a powerful team that raised over $77M in private funding. While with Chicago 2016, she created and managed the Next Generation Leadership Advisory Council (NGLAC), a 200+ group of rising Chicago leaders focused on raising over $1M in funds and recruiting over 2,000 volunteers for Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bachman’s passion for her city and commitment to Chicago’s future is evidenced by her dedication to leadership and the praise of her peers. At 32, she was named to Crain’s 40 under 40 Class of 2016, where she was recognized as one of Chicago’s most influential rising leaders. In July 2017, she was recognized by the sports business industry when she selected to the Leaders Under 40 Class of 2017.

Bachman is a graduate of the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University of Chicago, and holds her M.B.A. in International Business and Finance. She earned her B.A. in International Relations from Colgate University, and was a member of Colgate’s Division I Women’s Ice Hockey team.

Ryan Baker
WBBM-TV/CBS 2, Lead Sports Anchor
@cbschicago
@RyanBakerMedia
Ryan Baker joined CBS 2 in April of 2008 as the lead sports anchor on the weekday evening newscasts at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.

Baker’s career highlights include covering historic World Series wins for both the Cubs and White Sox, and three Stanley Cup championships for the Chicago Blackhawks. He also reported from Athens during the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Prior to coming to WBBM, Baker worked at WMAQ-TV/NBC 5 from 2003-2008 as a sports anchor and reporter. He served as host of Sports Sunday, as well as the host of Bears Game Day and Game Night Live.

Before returning to his hometown of Chicago, Baker was the Sports Director at WKMG-TV in Orlando, Fla. (1995-2003). He was twice voted “Best Sportscaster” by Orlando Magazine, and hosted “The Ryan Baker Show” on Sports Radio 740 the Team and “Inside Magic”. Previously he worked at KFMB-TV in San Diego and began his broadcasting career in Champaign, IL at WCIA-TV and WICD-TV.

Baker was born in Chicago Heights and raised in south suburban Phoenix. He graduated from Thornridge High School in 1987 and received his B.S. in Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1991.

While at U. of I., Baker was a student basketball manager for the 1989 Flyin’ Illini Final Four team. He served on the Illini Leadership Council, and was the 2013 Chicago Illini of the Year. He is a board member with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicago and Northwest Indiana, active with the Chicago chapter of the American Diabetes Association, and volunteers his time and talent with various local charities. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Nicole Bersani
Manager, Digital Content, Chicago Cubs
@Cubs
@NicoleBersani
Nicole Bersani is the digital content manager at the Chicago Cubs. She oversees the strategy, day-to-day operations and overall growth and measurement across all Cubs social media platforms. Before joining the Cubs in 2016, she worked at Ogilvy managing social media for CPG brands and NBC Sports Chicago developing content around all major Chicago sports teams.

Nicole graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, focusing on public relations and sports marketing while at Ohio University. Nicole also volunteers with Cubs Scholars and Midtown Educational Foundation, which both provide positive learning environments and lifelong mentorship for Chicago’s urban youth.

Theresa Ferguson
Director of Brand Management, National Women’s Soccer League
@NWSL
@prmarketingexec

Stay tuned for Theresa's headshot and bio!

SPEAKER AND MODERATOR

Amy Littleton
Executive Vice President, KemperLesnik
@KemperLesnik
@amylitt

Amy is the co-leader of the agency and oversees the Public Relations and Content businesses at KemperLesnik. She is a communications strategist, crisis and reputation counselor and business manager. From her days at General Mills planning media tours with the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team to working in the Business Marketing and Technology Practice at Edelman and running her own agency, Amy has used curiosity and passion to drive results. She is a former president of the Public Relations Society of America Chicago, sits on the board of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation and is co-chair of the Sports and Entertainment Forum of the Executives’ Club of Chicago. A native of the Florida Panhandle, Amy exploits her knowledge of water and her southern twang – particularly when leading the non-profit she founded, Friends of Catherine and Channel Lakes, and hollerin for her two boys during baseball games.

Questions? Send an email to Sarah Hanel, APR, and Kayee Ip, Programming co-chairs at [email protected].

Program Details

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