CHICAGO, IL – June 14, 2011 – At the 2011 Cable Show, AMC Networks is unveiling its new look at the company?s Cable Show booth, #931 (level 3 of the South Building). AMC Networks, Inc., parent company of AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films, is showcasing brand-defining original programming, talent and initiatives. Over the past year, the company has achieved impressive success driven by AMC?s “The Walking Dead” and “The Killing”; IFC?s scripted comedies, “Portlandia” and “Onion News Network”; WE tv?s breakout hit series, “Braxton Family Values”; Sundance Channel?s social media phenomenon “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys” and Golden Globe-winning “Carlos”; and record-breaking views on IFC Films? VOD platform.
IFC LAUNCHES THE LOCOS, A LOCAL COMMERCIAL AWARDS COMPETITION TO SUPPORT NEW DOCU-COMEDY, “RHETT & LINK: COMMERCIAL KINGS”
Ten-Part Original Series Premieres Friday, June 24 @ 10 pm on IFC
IFC is launching The LoCos, an online awards competition honoring the best and the bizarre in local TV commercials. The competition supports the network?s original docu-comedy “Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings,” a ten-part series premiering Friday, June 24 @ 10 pm, et/pt. Launching on premiere day at both www.ifc.com and a dedicated Facebook page, The LoCos enable fans to both upload and vote for their favorite local commercials, in 10 categories, through July 20. The categories/honors up for grabs include:
- The Palme d? LoCo: Best Local Commercial Overall
- Best Performance by an Animal or Child
- Best Original Song/Jingle
- The Jaw Dropper: Most Memorable Special Effect or Set
- The Star Swipe Award: Best Use of Graphics
- The William Shatner Honor (Most Overly Dramatic Performance in a Local Commercial)
- Most Unforgettable Tagline
- Best Costume or Mascot
- The LoCo Golden Turkey: The commercial most in need of Rhett & Link?s help!
- The Lifetime Achievement Award: Bestowed upon a memorable, and perhaps even deceased, local advert pitchperson/legend
Web-goers can simply submit a link to any local television commercial housed on YouTube or Vimeo and choose one or more categories for entry. They can vote in any category, once a day through July 20, and, with each vote, enter a sweepstakes to win one of ten $250 prizes which they can use to help support a local business in their community. One of these ten $250 prize winners will also receive the costume worn by Roger, owner of the Presidential Carwash, in a commercial created by Rhett & Link for their IFC series. A running tally of votes for each commercial will be featured in real time on The LoCos contest site. The top three commercials in each category will make the finals, which will be announced July 23. Head judges, Rhett & Link, will determine the winners, who will be announced on July 27. Both finalist and winning businesses will receive an IFC LoCos Awards Medallion, which they can post on their company web pages or at their place of business. Votes can be cast at http://locos.ifc.com.
SEASON 2 OF SUNDANCE CHANNEL?S “GIRLS WHO LIKE BOYS WHO LIKE BOYS” HEADS TO NASHVILLE, PREMIERING IN FALL 2011
Sundance Channel?s original unscripted series, “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys,” is going country! While last season took place in New York City, season two is set in Nashville, Tennessee, where viewers get a first-hand look at the fun and companionship, understanding and appreciation, loyalty and emotional intimacy that exists between a woman and her gay best friend. The series became a social-media phenomenon during season one and returns in late 2011 to loyal fans who continue to follow the show on Facebook and Twitter.
WE TV LAUNCHES LIVE, DUAL-SCREEN VIEWING EXPERIENCE ON WETV.COM, “WE TV SYNC”
WE tv has launched a live, interactive, dual-screen viewing experience on its website (www.wetv.com), dubbed “WE tv Sync,” to serve as a cyber-companion to the network?s popular original series. “WE tv Sync” gives viewers the opportunity to interact with each other around the show they are watching in real time. Users can post comments hear what others have to say via a live stream of aggregated content from Facebook, Twitter and WEtv.com. A second live stream will provide users with fun facts, polls, exclusive photos and videos from the show. The interactive platform currently features a conversation around the eighth season of WE tv?s hit wedding series, “Bridezillas.” Users can login to “WE tv Sync” with their Facebook, Twitter or WEtv.com account.
WE TV TO GIVE AWAY AN IPAD 2 TODAY DURING CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION, 3:30-4:30 PM AT THE AMC NETWORKS BOOTH
WE tv will award one lucky winner an iPad 2 Kit today at the conclusion of its champagne reception at the AMC Networks booth. The reception runs from 3:30-4:30 pm. The winner will be announced at 4:30 pm and must be present to receive their prize. The iPad 2 Kit includes an iPad 2 16GB with WiFi, a graphic image embossed leather cover, Apple headphones with remote and microphone, and a stylus pen. Cable affiliates (only, please) are invited to drop their business card at the booth for a chance to win.
AMC NETWORKS EXECUTIVE PANEL PRESENCE
WHO: Kim Martin, President & General Manager, WE tv
WHAT: Panelist, “Changing Channels: The Evolution of Targeted Networks in a Multi-Platform World”
WHERE: McCormick Place Convention Center, Room S402
WHEN: Tuesday, June 14, 2:30-3:30 pm
Panel Description:
Even as On Demand delivery and IP video platforms proliferate, the linear television network model is enduring and thriving. Listen in as executives from networks both new and familiar describe the business strategies and economic principles that continue make cable networks among the most valuable of media assets today. Discovery points can include:
- Harmonizing linear TV with On Demand opportunities
- Super-serving audiences through targeted programming
- Establishing and preserving unique brand identity
Moderator:
Patty McCaskill, SVP & Chief Programming Officer, Suddenlink Communications
Other Panelists:
Byron Allen, Founder, Owner & Chairman, Entertainment Studios Networks
Dave Howe, President, Syfy and Chiller, NBCUniversal
Marc Juris, EVP & General Manager, truTV
Henry Schleiff, President & General Manager, Investigation Discovery & Emerging Networks,
Discovery Communications, Inc.
Michael Smith, General Manager, Cooking Channel
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ABOUT AMC NETWORKS INC.
Following the completion of the previously announced spin-off of AMC Networks Inc. from Cablevision Systems Corporation, AMC Networks will own and operate several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, WE tv, IFC, Sundance Channel and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company will also operate AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming origination and distribution company.