zanzi

Italo Zanzi, (born May 18, 1974, Port Jefferson, New York), is Deputy General Secretary of CONCACAF, The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, and serves as Executive Vice President of the organization’s commercial arm, CONCACAF Marketing & TV,based in Miami Beach, Florida.[1] Italo oversees the Confederation's business activities, including the CONCACAF Champions League and Gold Cup, as well as its communications and marketing. He also represents the Confederation on FIFA's Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility and Media Committee.[2]

Until November 2007, Italo served as Vice President, International Broadcast Sales & Latin American / US Hispanic Marketing for Major League Baseball. In this capacity, Italo managed three of Major League Baseball’s business functions - international television and radio sales, Latin American marketing and sponsorship, and United States Hispanic marketing initiatives.[3]

While at MLB, Italo negotiated numerous seven-figure media rights agreements in Latin America, Asia, Europe, Canada, and Oceania. Italo also played a pivotal role in the organization of the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. In addition to overseeing media sales for the event, Italo served as the principal liaison to the Latin American baseball federations and managed operations of the San Juan, Puerto Rico venue.[4]

In addition, Italo Zanzi was the Republican candidate for United States Congress in 2006 in New York's 1st Congressional District (Eastern Suffolk County). Italo earned 39% of the vote against a two-term incumbent,[5] the most of any Republican challenger in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and 7th highest nationwide. Italo won the endorsement from Suffolk Life, the most widely distributed newspaper in Suffolk County, which wrote, "Zanzi's outlook and enthusiasm are refreshing. He has kept a close eye on the issues that affect the people in the 1st Congressional District, and already has formulated some plans to address these issues. We are confident that if given the chance, Zanzi could effect some real change in government".[6] Zanzi was also praised by Newsday, who while endorsing his opponent, wrote, "Republican challenger Italo Zanzi, 32, is not one to go unnoticed. Zanzi has panache, a top-flight education - including a law degree and a master's in business administration - and a glamour job... ". "Zanzi has tremendous potential. Down the road there should be a place for a bright, energetic man like him in public life."[7]

Italo currently heads up a federal political action committee, IZ PAC, and assists the Republican National Committee and several candidates in fundraising efforts.

Italo Zanzi has also been a goalkeeper for the US National Team Handball team since 1997. He has competed in 75 international matches and won a Bronze medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. At the 2003 Pan Am Games, Zanzi had strong performances against Argentina and Brazil and played a pivotal role in the USA's victories over Mexico (21 saves) and Uruguay in the Bronze Medal game.[8] He was named the United States Olympic Committee’s Team Handball Athlete of the Year in 2000, 2002, and 2004.[9] Before being introduced to team handball in 1996 after the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Italo played professional soccer briefly with Club Deportivo Lo Barnechea in Chile and at the University of Chicago where he was named Most Valuable Player in 1995. Italo also served as Assistant Coach for the Emory University mens soccer team from 1996 to 1999.

Italo actively supports several local youth athletic programs and community groups. Italo received El Diaro’s “EL Award” in 2005 which is awarded to top Hispanics in business, politics, and entertainment.[10] Italo Zanzi earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago in 1996, and Juris Doctor and MBA from Emory University in 1999. Italo Zanzi is a licensed attorney and resides in Miami, Florida.

January 9, 2009, Italo filed to run for the Florida House of Representatives, District 119. Italo, a Republican, seeks to replace State Representative Juan C. Zapata, who will be termed out of office in 2010.