NEW YORK, January 5, 2005 – In a series of strategic senior hires and promotions, Rainbow Entertainment Services President Ed Carroll named Evan Shapiro, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IFC Network and Jennifer Caserta, Senior Vice President of Marketing for IFC Network. These two additional positions within IFC, continues to build Rainbow's senior management team, filling out key roles for the network and further strengthening Rainbow's foundation for growth in 2005 and beyond.
As the new Executive Vice President and General Manager, Shapiro will report to Ed Carroll, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the IFC Network and directing all efforts as it relates to program development, scheduling and marketing.
"The leadership, vision and experience that these executives bring to their new roles will further solidify Rainbow," Carroll stated. "Evan is one of the industry's most dynamic and passionate executives. Since joining IFC from Court TV he has made an immediate impact – helping to sharpen the IFC brand and draw attention to the network's expanded original slate including series such as Ultimate Film Fanatic and Henry's Film Corner."
Mr. Shapiro joined IFC 12 months ago as Senior Vice President of Marketing for IFC Network. In that role, he was the principal architect of developing IFC's new programming block, "Film Fanatic Fridays;" building new partnerships with Loews, Target, Heineken and others; and creating key grassroots initiatives across the country to better promote the IFC brand. Shapiro joined IFC from Court TV, where he spent two and a half years as Senior Vice President, Marketing. Before joining Court TV in 2001, Shapiro was Chief Executive Officer/Creative Director of Forefront, a marketing and promotions company he co-founded in 1996.
As the new Senior Vice President of Marketing for IFC Network, Jennifer Caserta will report to Shapiro and oversee all branding, consumer marketing and trade marketing.
"Jennifer Caserta is an immensely talented marketer and manager," Shapiro stated. "She is one of the most creative, collaborative and professional executives with whom I've worked. She generates enormous respect and admiration from her staff and her peers."
Before her promotion, Ms. Caserta joined IFC five months ago as Vice President of Marketing for IFC. In her role, she was the principle in creating new strategic partnerships, redesigning of the IFC web site, revamping the network's on air look, and developing IFC's new tentpole "Film Fanatic Fridays." Caserta joined IFC from Court TV, where she served as Vice President, Ad Sales Marketing. Her 12 years of media industry experience also includes marketing positions at Oxygen Media, Food Network, Westwood One and the Radio Advertising Bureau.
Today's announcement comes days before the official launch of IFC's new redesigned on-air look, which will include the network's new tentpole – "Film Fanatic Fridays" – a multi-tiered programming and marketing initiative. The bloc and network new look will premiere on Friday January 7th, with a new season of Ultimate Film Fanatic; new episodes of IFC's signature series, Dinner For Five; and the first network airing of The Usual Suspects, as part of "Pulp Indies" – the network's most successful weekly movie strand. Complementing the programming is a 360-degree marketing push, including the largest online marketing campaign in network history and promotion in all Loews Theaters nationwide. Both the tentpole and the network redesign were created by the Shapiro/Caserta duo.
About IFC Television
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free.
IFC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2004 with its most extensive original programming line-up ever. Original programming premiering in 2004 includes Nanette Burstein's Film School, Ultimate Film Fanatic, Rocked With Gina Gershon, In the Company of Women, the third season of Dinner For Five and John Landis' Slasher. In the past, IFC has made its mark with originals including BaaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos, In the Company of Women and A Decade Under the Influence.
The Independent Film Channel is a part of IFC Companies, which has established itself as the future of independent film. With the television network, as well as a film distribution and production unit and a VOD service, IFC Companies has created over the course of the past decade a revolutionary end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent and maximizing the value of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.