Big ten ad blitz.

Los Angeles-based Worldlink, a multi-platform advertising sales representation firm, and the Big Ten Network have entered into an exclusive advertising sales agreement. Worldlink will represent the network for all short-form direct-response advertising sales. The network is available in 29 million subscribers through various satellite and cable networks.

"It's an exciting network because they are focusing on providing live events across a variety of sports and there is access to high-definition programming," said Linda Kalm, Worldlink executive vice president.

The Big Ten Network was officially launched on August 30 following the expiration of the conference's television deal with Walt Disney Co.'s ABC and ESPN networks. It is co-owned by the Big Ten Conference and Fox. Its launch was subject to harsh criticism by football fans who were unable to watch games broadcast on the network due to disputes between the network and cable operators Time Warner, Comcast and Charter. None of those three large cable systems currently carries the network.

"There's been fragmentation in the media marketplace that creates issues when you put the business deals together, but from the advertiser's perspective it creates opportunity," said Kalm.