Alex Yates has been named marketing director of the Chicago Sinfonietta. Yates, 37, is owner and head of communications consulting firm Mad Man Marketing and also volunteers his time as vice-president of communications for the Chicago chapter of the American Marketing Association.

Previous communications roles include membership and marketing communications director at the Inland Press Association in Des Plaines, and business development director Webster University's San Diego campus.

"The Sinfonietta is on the verge of naming a new music director to succeed Maestro Paul Freeman when he retires at the end of the coming season, which will be the beginning of a new era for us," noted Sinfonietta executive director Jim Hirsch. "I am delighted and excited to welcome Alex to our team as we begin this important transition," added Hirsch. The Chicago Sinfonietta will enter its 24th season in the fall of 2010.