The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday that they have named John Vidalin Chief Sales Officer.
Vidalin will oversee the 49ers business development and corporate sponsorship group. He is charged with cultivating corporate partnerships for Candlestick Park and the 49ers new stadium initiative, while also directing the team's broadcast sales.
Previously, Vidalin spent six seasons with the Houston Texans as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In that role, Vidalin oversaw all of the team's corporate partnerships and sales of related properties, team promotional rights, broadcast inventory, branding, fan development, marketing and events. He was also responsible for directing the Texans gameday experience, HoustonTexans.com, advertising, in-game production, TORO, the Houston Texans Cheerleaders and team merchandise.
Prior to his stint with the Texans, Vidalin served as Vice President of Marketing for the NHL's Washington Capitals, where he was in charge of all branding, advertising, media, fan development, merchandise and game operations efforts. During his time with the Capitals, the team won three Golden Matrix awards for "Best Opening Video" and "Best Show in Professional Sports."
Vidalin served as Vice President of Client Service with MGM Communications, a full-service advertising agency based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, before his stint with the Capitals. Previously, he served as Director of Marketing for the Calgary Flames of the NHL for six seasons and as Key Accounts Manager with Alberto Culver Canada.
Vidalin has served on the board of directors for the Houston Area Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA and is an advisory board member to the Baylor Sports Sales program.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Vidalin is a graduate of communications from Lethbridge College at Lethbridge, Alberta, and later completed his MBA at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia. He and his wife have two daughters.
