Clear Channel Outdoor Americas announced it has hired veteran media leader, Chris Pezzello, to oversee and direct all its Chicago market operations including sales, marketing, real estate, public affairs, operations and finance. Pezzello is a sales veteran with over 26 years' experience in revenue growth and profitability, strategic planning, designing high performance sales teams, using data insights for improved performance and building long-term client, landlord and municipal relationships. Notably, Pezzello will spearhead CCO's strategic business development, including its competition for municipal contracts: an area where he has proven expertise and ability to grow revenue.

In this new role, Pezzello leads one of CCOA's large markets where the company's footprint and vast array of OOH media displays and formats reach 91 % of the DMA 18+ population weekly. In addition to overseeing this market, Pezzello will harmonize strategies and campaigns for brands looking to reach consumers where they drive, walk or fly, including through CCO's myriad displays at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport where CCO holds the exclusive sales contract for in-airport advertising, and, where passenger counts top seven million monthly (ACI). A proud Chicagoan since 2007, Pezzello boasts an extensive career in the OOH industry and the Chicago market, among others. Formerly, as vice president and general manager for Intersection (then Titan), Pezzello led media sales teams in major markets nationwide, including Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago.

This included leading his teams' efforts in managing assets and acquiring the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) contracts. Additionally, during his time in OUTFRONT's Midwest Division, he led sales and revenue to double digit growth. Pezzello has been involved with the Chicago Innovation Awards, MAG Mile Association, Loop Alliance, City Club of Chicago, Chicago Ideas Week and served on the executive committee board for the Chicago Sports Commission when Chicago hosted the NFL Draft and Americas Cup.

Pezzello holds a bachelor's degree from New England College. He and his wife, Van, and their son, Max, live in downtown Chicago and are actively engaged in the business community.