45% Increase in Ad Sales Revenue for the Past Two Years
Contributes to Expanded Infrastructure in '06
Michael Roche Promoted to Director of Ad Sales for Midwest Region
New York, August 21, 2006 – fuse, the nation's only viewer-influenced music network, announced today it will open a Chicago office to handle advertising sales and customized multi-platform sponsorship packages for the Midwest Region. In the calendar year from 2004 to 2006, fuse's ad sales revenue increased by 45% largely due to the unique, customized, multi-platform packages, the network is offering, including on-air, online, on Demand and on mobile. Michael Roche, a high-performing account executive who has just been promoted to Director of Advertising Sales for the Midwest Region will be overseeing the office and its staff.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of a number of significant programming developments at the network led by Catherine Mullen, who was named General Manager of the network seven months ago, including the development of the network's original music programming schedule; the expansion of content across multiple media platforms including fuse On Demand, fuse Online and fuse Mobile; the creation of a domestic and international program development team; and the launch of the popular, dancing music show Pants-Off, Dance-Off.
"The Midwest is a client rich region, so it's vital for us to have a strong local foothold from which to sell and service both marketers and their agencies," states Bill Rosolie, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales for fuse. "Our goal is to develop integrated strategies that encompass the linear network, online, VOD, mobile, iTV – in short, every platform that engages tech-savvy 12 – 34 year-old music lovers. Our Midwest team will also be central to growing the opportunities in key categories such as retail, gaming, wireless and QSR."
The edge-pushing music network offers advertisers six distinct platforms with which they can target tech savvy young consumers – the linear network, online, mobile, wireless, video on demand, and the newly unveiled high-tech facade of fuse's street-front studio in Manhattan. One major cross-platform opportunity that the network will pitch is the fuse/Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. The network has teamed up with Fangoria Entertainment, the publisher of Fangoria Magazine, on the first-ever televised awards' program for horror-inspired music and movies, to air across all platforms in October. Integrated packages will offer advertisers visibility in the pre-event promotion on the network, the web and wireless platforms, as well as red carpet signage, on-site event and post-event promotional opportunities.
This announcement comes on the heels of fuse announcing it has joined with truth®, the youth smoking prevention campaign, for WARPED: INSIDE & OUT, a documentary-styled look at the Vans Warped Tour 2006, the summer's premiere festival dedicated to alternative music and extreme sports. The series marks the first time fuse has worked with an outside brand or campaign to create a fully integrated, branded entertainment program. In June, fuse announced the exclusive broadcast rights to the tour with the original programming block Warped Wednesdays, featuring a rich slate of exclusive multi-platform Warped-related content. In February of this year, fuse announced another integrated, multi-platform cross-marketing relationship with advertiser f.y.e. – for your entertainment, a leading specialty retailer of music, video and video game products. The initiative provided millions of free downloads to fuse fans, establishing the music retailer as the "preferred download provider" on signature shows such as Daily Download and Steven's Untitled Rock Show.
About fuse
fuse is the nation's only viewer-influenced, music television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts, series and specials. fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms at the center of their communication and entertainment – TV, Web, mobile technologies and interactive gaming by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into the network's on-air and online programming. More information about fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow's other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.