Promotion Follows Four Years of Consecutive Year-Over-Year Network Growth and Ratings Success for WE tv, the Fastest Growing Women’s Cable Network
New York, NY – September 29, 2008 – Rainbow Media announced today the promotion of Kim Martin to president and general manager of WE tv. In her new position, Ms. Martin will continue to lead the network forward as it expands its original programming strategy, develops a new focus for its WE Empowers Women public affairs initiative, and furthers its position in the marketplace as the source for women to satisfy their curiosity with fascinating, original stories. Kim’s previous role was executive vice president and general manager of WE tv. She will continue to report to Ed Carroll, president of national entertainment services of Rainbow Media.
"Kim’s leadership, vision and focus have steered WE tv to unprecedented success. Under her direction, the network substantially increased its commitment to original programming, a strategy that has increased ratings significantly over the past four years," said Ed Carroll, president of national entertainment services for Rainbow Media. "WE tv is now seen in nearly 72 million homes, and with original hit series like The Locator, Bridezillas and High School Confidential, the network is connecting with younger viewers."
WE tv broke its original programming rating record three times in 2008 with the premieres of its critically-acclaimed High School Confidential, the fifth season of the network’s hit bridal series Bridezillas, and its most recent premiere of The Locator, a new original series for which the premiere drew a total audience rating of 1.3 million HH. The second quarter of 2008 was the strongest quarter in WE tv’s history, with soaring viewership on-air, on demand and online. The network saw significant gains among all of its key demographics and continues to outpace its competitive set in percentage growth with this group. WE tv ranks number one in W18-34 (+52%) and W18-49 (+45%) delivery growth, making it the "fastest growing cable network" for these younger demos in primetime.
Ms. Martin joined WE tv in December 2004. Since then, she has transformed the network into a vibrant, original programming destination for women. Today, WE tv delivers 60% original programming in primetime. She spearheads the brand’s multi-platform strategy, including the recent redesign of WEtv.com to provide women with context-specific content that is relevant to their lifestyle, needs and interests during key stages of their lives. Ms. Martin also led the launch of the network’s On Demand service, which is now available in 20 million homes and features original series and specials from the network.
Recognizing the high interest among women to engage in civic causes, Kim launched the network’s first-ever national public affairs initiative, WE Empowers Women, which is dedicated to creating projects and programs that foster and celebrate the intelligence, diversity and leadership of women, both in the workplace and at home. The latest campaign under the initiative’s umbrella is WE VOTE 08, an effort to get 1 million women to register to vote in the upcoming Presidential election, to educate women on issues that they deem important, and galvanize them to get to the polls on November 4.
Kim is a member of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) and the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM). She is also a graduate of WICT’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute. She was named by CableWorld in 2006 and 2007 as one of the 50 most powerful women in cable and by Multichannel News & WICT as a member of the 2006 Class of Wonder Women. Kim has made it a priority to be actively involved with WICT, serving on committees and speaking at multiple WICT events. Under her direction, WE tv serves as the exclusive corporate sponsor of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute. She has taken the initiative to mentor many women, both within her company and within the industry.
Prior to joining WE tv, Ms. Martin served as executive vice president of distribution and affiliate marketing for Rainbow Media. Before that, she was senior vice president of affiliate sales for Discovery Networks, where she was responsible for managing affiliate sales for the United States and Canada.
About WE tv
WE tv (www.WEtv.com) is the premier source for women looking to satisfy their curiosity with fascinating, original stories and entertaining, informative content that is relevant to key stages of their lives. Available in nearly 72 million homes, WE tv’s programming gives viewers compelling perspectives on women’s lives that range from provocative to extraordinary, including signature series like Bridezillas and critically-acclaimed original documentary series such as High School Confidential. WE tv’s public affairs initiative, WE Empowers Women, is dedicated to creating programs that foster and celebrate women’s strength, confidence and diversity. The initiative’s current focus is its WE Vote ’08 campaign. WE tv is available in HD and WE tv On Demand is available in 20 million homes. WE tv 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, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, 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.