Frank Abels

As Director of Marketing for both TSN and Sportsnet, Frank has driven the power of sport home to consumers and enabled numerous marketers to capitalize on its appeal.

After a decade at TSN, Frank was one of the first senior management hires at Sportsnet with responsibility for launching Canada’s only exclusive regional sports network.  His consumer branding knowledge combined with his negotiation expertise achieved unparalleled introductory carriage for the service into 6 million homes – a specialty network launch record that has still not been surpassed.

He directly marketed all sports properties including NHL, Soccer, NCAA “March Madness”, and regional sports/teams (Canucks, Oilers, Flames, Senators, Canadiens)  and worked in concert with major sports governing bodies including the NHL, NFL, and FIFA.  Frank also led the development of Sportsnet’s website and managed affiliate marketing for the Outdoor Life Network and the Comedy Network.

Before becoming Director of Marketing, Frank was a Client Services Specialist and TSN Brand Manager who created customized sponsorship programs to enhance advertiser campaigns at the network.  Frank managed advertising and promotions for such prestigious sports properties as NHL, NFL, CFL, Major League Baseball, PGA, plus NBA and helped build such notable broadcasting events such as the World Junior Hockey Championships, World Hockey Championships, and World Cup Soccer (’94 & ’98). 

By running sports clinics featuring professional athletes and on-air personalities across the country in his early years at TSN, Frank successfully employed grass-roots marketing to help grow a subscriber base of less than 200,000 to over 4 million.  He also oversaw the development of the award winning advertising campaign “TSN - Real Life.  Real Drama.  Real TV.” 

After his network career, Frank was actively involved with product and event marketing specifically linked to sport.  He helped create the inaugural “Wayne Gretzky & Friends” Charity Golf event and developed the successful “Reflections of Gold” DVD promotion featuring Jarome Iginla, Martin Brodeur and Cassie Campbell for General Mills.
 
When Frank and his wife are not playing chauffer to their 4 children at hockey arenas, dance studios, school gyms, soccer fields, guitar studios…etc., they enjoy time at their home in Aurora.