From a Handshake to the NFL: How This NBC Chicago Partnership Grew

Some of the strongest business partnerships don’t start in a boardroom. They start with a handshake, a good conversation, and a shared belief that great work happens when people actually trust each other. That’s exactly how AdTime Marketing’s relationship with NBC Chicago began.

Recently, our team sat down with Doug Michalak, our partner and connection at NBC Chicago, to talk about how this partnership came together, what it’s grown into, and why it continues to be one of the most valuable relationships we have in the Chicagoland media landscape.

How It Started: A Networking Happy Hour That Turned Into Something Bigger

Every great partnership has an origin story, and ours started the way a lot of good business relationships do: at a local networking happy hour. What began as a casual introduction between Doug and the AdTime Marketing team quickly turned into something much more meaningful.

We didn’t just exchange business cards. We found a genuine connection built on shared goals: helping brands in Chicago and beyond get in front of the right audiences with high-quality, strategic media placements.

Fast forward to today, and there isn’t a week that goes by where we’re not on the phone or in a meeting with Doug, whether we’re closing deals for clients, brainstorming new campaign ideas, or coordinating the next big media opportunity.

What the Partnership Looks Like Today

Over time, our work with Doug and NBC Chicago has expanded well beyond a single project or campaign. Today, the partnership includes:

• NFL primetime commercials that put our clients’ brands in front of massive, engaged audiences during some of the biggest television moments of the year.
• Client commercial production, where NBC Chicago’s team helps us film and produce high-quality commercials tailored to each client’s brand and goals.
• Support for major Chicago events, giving our clients visibility and credibility at some of the most recognized happenings in the city.
• Ongoing strategic media planning, so our clients always have access to strong, competitive opportunities across NBC’s networks.

Doug’s Role: More Than a Media Contact

What sets this partnership apart is that Doug isn’t just a name on a media buy. He’s genuinely invested in our clients’ success from start to finish.

Doug has played a significant role in helping one of our clients grow through commercials run directly on NBC networks, guiding the strategy, timing, and placement to make sure the campaign performed the way it needed to. But his involvement doesn’t stop once a commercial goes live.

Doug regularly joins us at our client watch parties, seeing firsthand how a campaign comes together, how audiences react, and how the results translate into real business growth for our clients. That kind of hands-on involvement is rare, and it’s a big part of why this partnership continues to thrive.

Why This Partnership Matters for AdTime Marketing Clients

At AdTime Marketing, we believe media partnerships should do more than fill ad space. They should open doors, create opportunities, and bring creative solutions that actually move the needle for the brands we represent.

Our relationship with Doug Michalak and NBC Chicago allows us to do exactly that: bringing strong, high-impact media opportunities and creative production support to the businesses we work with, backed by a network we trust.

Thank you, Doug and NBC Chicago, for a partnership that keeps growing stronger every year. We can’t wait to see what we build next!