Alan Klein Named EVP, Kim Gabelmann Promoted to SVP of New Unit
Integrated Group will Spearhead Sponsorship Sales and Branded Entertainment for Multiple Platform Delivery System
New York, N.Y. – Oct. 10, 2008 – Evan Shapiro, president of IFCtv and Sundance Channel, announced today that Alan Klein has been named Executive Vice President of the new IFCtv/Sundance Channel Partnerships, Operations and Business Development division. He previously was Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Licensing for IFCtv, and in his new role will continue to report to Shapiro.
Klein’s focus will be on long-lead partnerships and business development, while Kim Gabelmann has been promoted and will report to Klein in her new position as Senior Vice President, Branded Entertainment and Partnerships for IFCtv and Sundance Channel. In this role, she will oversee day-to-day sponsorship sales for the new unit. Gabelmann previously was Vice President Branded Entertainment and Sponsorship for Sundance Channel.
The new Partnerships, and Business Development team is charged with building on IFCtv and Sundance Channel’s reputations as leaders and innovators in branded entertainment and sponsorship sales while continuing to grow and monetize assets across multiple platforms.
Other appointments in the new division include:
The West Coast office of the new department will be managed by Lee Sparer, Vice President, Branded Entertainment and Partnerships. Sparer previously was Vice President, Partnerships – West Coast for IFCtv. This will mark the first time that Sundance Channel has had full time west coast sales representation.
Dan Shulman has been hired as Vice President, Digital Sales, Licensing & Business Development, overseeing all digital sponsorship sales for ifc.com and sundance.com.
Kevin Cirrito, Vice President, Sales, Planning, will represent both IFCtv and Sundance Channel, selling across both networks and handling pricing, planning management and operations.
"We have put together a tremendous team to get the IFCtv and Sundance Channel joint sales efforts off to a running start," Shapiro said. "Alan did a phenomenal job of building marketing partnerships for IFCtv, and as such he is the ideal person to lead this new dual-brand, independent environment’ powerhouse working closely with Kim Gabelmann. We have developed trust, relevancy and engagement with our audience, and our partner brands experience an increase in perceived value because of the way we integrate them into our content."
The new IFCtv/Sundance Channel Partnerships, Operations and Business Development
division will sell both networks, across all platforms including on-air, online, on-demand and offline events including film festivals. The division will have a dedicated team to identify new sales opportunities and drive sponsorship across multiple platforms, including IFC.com, Sundancechannel.com, IFCtv’s Media Lab, IFC Free and Sundance OnDemand VOD services, and through new digital distribution outlets.
About Sundance Channel
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold and uncompromising Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel’s website address is www.sundancechannel.com.
About IFCtv
Operating under the mantra "always uncut," IFC (The Independent Film Channel) uncovers and champions alternative content and makes it available to audiences across multiple platforms: on air, online and on demand. In pursuit of what’s new, next and relevant, IFC presents clever, offbeat original series like "The Whitest Kids U’ Know" and "Z Rock" alongside thought-provoking original documentaries such as At the Death House Door and This Film Is Not Yet Rated. The network also offers exclusive web series, shorts, animation, and a comprehensive independent film library of award-winning titles and cult classics. IFC broadens the audience for independent culture through its exclusive live coverage of notable film and music events like the Independent Spirit Awards and South by Southwest. The network’s on demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC’s original series before they air on the linear network. IFC Media Lab offers financing, professional development and distribution opportunities for aspiring film makers. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.