Karyn Esken

Karyn Esken, former director of Radio Disney Station Group and a highly regarded veteran of Chicago media, has been named vice president for business development at Tribune Content Agency.

In the newly created position, Esken will head sales efforts in traditional markets and will be responsible for developing sponsorships for the rapidly expanding syndication and licensing unit of Tribune Publishing, according to Joyce Winnecke, president of Tribune Content Agency.

The appointment, announced Monday, is effective immediately.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Tribune Content Agency under Joyce's leadership,” Esken said in a statement. “To have the opportunity to utilize my sales and marketing experience on behalf of an organization with such a rich history and stellar portfolio of content is very exciting.  I am eager to begin my new role and join such a talented team."

In a 25-year career with Walt Disney Co., Esken rose to head sales, marketing, promotion and operations for nine Radio Disney stations throughout the Midwest. She previously served as the first full-time station manager for Radio Disney’s WRDZ AM 1300 in Chicago, and first marketing director for Walt Disney Attractions in Chicago, overseeing promotions for Walt Disney World and Disneyland throughout the region.

She stepped down last year shortly after the company announced plans to sell its stations and end Radio Disney’s 18-year run as a local radio operator, shifting its programming and resources to digital platforms.

Esken previously was director of advertising and promotion at WLS AM 890, and marketing and promotion manager for the former WMAQ. Earlier she also worked for the Chicago Tribune and WXRT FM 93.1.

A native of north suburban Skokie and graduate of Niles East High School and the University of Michigan, Esken is the sister of Cheryl Esken, director of strategic sales and marketing at Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting.

Here is the text of Winnecke’s memo to her staff:

Dear Tribune Content Agency colleagues,

I am pleased to introduce Karyn Esken, joining us today as vice president for business development.

Karyn is an accomplished media executive whose arrival allows us to institute an important new organizational structure to our sales department, designed to more accurately reflect the diversity of our content offerings and markets as we strive for continued growth.

Karyn will head up efforts in traditional markets and will be responsible for developing sponsorships, key to our goal of diversifying revenue. Reporting to Karyn will be Rick DeChantal and Art Bushnell.  

Wayne Lown, vice president of sales, will lead efforts in the digital and new-market categories. He will work closely with our international sales team and with Scott Cameron and Jim Hohman on the domestic front.  

Karyn spent the last nine years directing the Radio Disney Station Group, leading sales, marketing, promotion and operations for nine Midwest stations. Prior to that, she was the first Station Manager for Radio Disney, Chicago. Prior to Radio Disney,  Karyn served as Field Marketing Director of the Midwest Region for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  Prior to joining Disney, Karyn worked as Director of Advertising and Promotion for a number of top Chicago radio stations, including WLS, WMAQ and WXRT. 

Wayne and Karen will work closely with John Barron, Editor and General Manager, on the strategy and execution that will take TCA to a new level. Wayne, Karyn and John will report to me.   

These changes underscore the great opportunity we have to build on Tribune Content Agency’s success as the premier provider of content and services across the globe. We’re poised for growth. I thank each of you for your continued innovative spirit and hard work.

Sincerely,
Joyce