New York, NY, May 31, 2006 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today that it is promoting Alan Klein to Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Licensing. Previously serving as Vice President of Integrated Partnerships, Klein has established – and significantly grown – IFC's specialized in-house sponsorships department, overseeing key revenue generating opportunities for the uncut and commercial-free network. Klein will continue to report to Evan Shapiro, IFC's Executive Vice President and General Manager.
IFC created the Integrated Partnerships department in 2005 to accommodate the network's growing number of unique client sponsorships. Led by Klein, the team works closely with IFC's partners to effectively platform their brands in the network's uncut, festival-like environment. IFC currently has strategic alliances with several major companies including Acura, Heineken, Porsche, Target, Volkswagen and [yellow tail]. Under Klein's leadership, the department has significantly increased traction by enhancing its current partnerships while also attracting new sponsors who have expressed interest in sponsoring strands on the network to reach IFC's core audience. IFC is a leader in the independent film community and appeals to young, male, tech-savvy, early adaptors, in the coveted 18-49 demographic.
"Alan has been a major contributor to the success of IFC, and a leader at the network. He and his team have increased sponsorship sales by more than 130%, exceeding expectations and continually going beyond the call of duty to develop new business, revenues and opportunities for IFC," said Shapiro. "Because we do not take traditional advertising, Alan and his team have had to reinvent television ad sales itself – creating groundbreaking marketing programs on and off IFC that have attracted the world's best brands, while actually enhancing the IFC brand. Alan has more than earned this promotion, and a greater role in steering IFC into its next stage of growth. "
In his new role, Klein will serve as the network's chief of business development and continue to direct IFC's expanding partnerships. He will oversee IFC's sales team and will be responsible for creating, identifying and securing revenue-generating opportunities for IFC, including licensing and online sales. In addition, Klein will have oversight of on-air operations for IFC, and serve as the strategist for the network's long-term business planning.
Klein joined Bravo Networks, comprised of Bravo (now owned by NBC) and IFC, in September 2001 as Director, National Advertising Sales Promotions. In that role, he was the key architect of Bravo & IFC's theatrical and home entertainment sales strategy. His successes included dramatically increasing Bravo's ad sales revenue and establishing IFC as a key partner to film distributors for theatrical and home entertainment release campaigns. In 2002, Klein's role expanded to include oversight of IFC's network partnerships, which is central to the role he holds today.
Before joining the company, Mr. Klein served as Director, Advertising Sales Promotions for Court TV, producing the network's first multi-media presentation system and creating and implementing integrated on-air/online promotions for network advertisers. Prior to Court TV, Mr. Klein held several positions within Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, the parent company of IFC, including posts at MuchMusic USA and Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, the company's advertising sales division, for both Cable Networks Incorporated (CNI) and Regional News Representation (RNR). He began his career in the industry at Turner Broadcasting working on both TBS and TNT.
Klein holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in history from Skidmore College.
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, uncensored and commercial free. The network is part of IFC Companies — the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. 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.
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.