Bravo Networks Announces Expansion of Affiliate Staff

Bravo Networks today announced the following new hires within its Affiliate Sales and Marketing Staff: Bruce Levinson to Director, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Southern Region; Joanne Ceraso to Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Region; Barbara Karawacki and Richard Baudo to Regional Sales Managers, Central Region; and Michael Sullivan and Rossana Ruey to Regional Sales Managers, Western Region. The announcements were made by Gregg Hill, Executive Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Bravo Networks.

Said Hill, “These strategic appointments enable us to build upon our current momentum and position us for continued growth in the future.”

SOUTHERN REGION
As Director, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Southern Region, Bruce Levinson’s primary responsibilities will include servicing regional MSOs and systems, assisting in the creation of national sales and affiliate marketing strategies, as well as managing and developing Bravo Networks’ Southern Region staff. Levinson will be based out of the company’s Southern Region in Dallas, Texas and reports to Edward Palluth, Senior Vice President, Eastern Division, Bravo Networks.

Levinson possesses more than 16 years experience in Sales and Marketing and over six years experience working in the cable industry. He most recently served as Regional Director, Affiliate Sales and Marketing for Fox Channels Group, a division of Fox Liberty Networks, where he managed all affiliate sales and marketing activities for a 10-state region which encompassed 5 sports and general entertainment television networks. Prior to that, he was with Starz Encore Group where he served as District Manager. Levinson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Michigan State University and an Associate of Arts degree in Theater from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He is currently a Board Member of the Texas Chapter of Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) and a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

EASTERN REGION
Joanne Ceraso joins Bravo Networks as Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Region where she will be responsible for expanding the outreach of Bravo and The Independent Film Channel (IFC) in the territories including Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Virginia. She has over nine years experience working in Affiliate Sales for various cable networks and most recently for TV Guide. She received an MBA from Mercy University (Atlanta) and a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. Ceraso is based out of the company’s Eastern Region office in New York City and will report to Judi Lopez, Vice President, Bravo Networks’ Eastern Region.

CENTRAL REGION
Barbara Karawacki joins Bravo Networks as Regional Sales Manager, Central Region where she will be responsible for expanding the outreach of Bravo and IFC across the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Karawacki has 15 years of sales and marketing experience including most recently as Director of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for The Box Music Network. She is a member of Women in Cable and Telecommunications and CTAM. She works out of the company’s Central Region office in Chicago, IL and will report to Renée Richert, Regional Vice President, Bravo Networks’ Central Region.

As Regional Sales Manager, Richard Baudo will be responsible for expanding the outreach of Bravo and IFC in the Central United States (including Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska). Baudo joins Bravo Networks with more than four years experience in the cable industry. Most recently, Baudo served in the promotions and events department of Fox Sports Net in Chicago. He received a Bachelor’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Baudo is based out of the company’s Central Region office and will also report to Richert.

WESTERN REGION
Michael Sullivan joins Bravo Networks as Regional Sales Manager, Western Region where he will be responsible for expanding the outreach of Bravo and IFC in the following western states: Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and central California. Sullivan has over 10 years experience in the cable industry, having served with such cable companies as Paragon Cable, Time Warner Communications, and most recently MediaOne. He was the recipient of MediaOne’s 1999 Outstanding Achievement Award and was a CTAM of Southern California Star Watch member in 1999. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television, and Film from California State University at Northridge. Sullivan works out of the company’s Western Region office and will report to Angela Barrick, Director, Western Region, Bravo Networks.

Rossana Ruey joins Bravo Networks as Regional Sales Manager, Western Region. In this capacity, Ruey will be responsible for expanding the outreach of Bravo and IFC in the following states: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and northern sections of California. Prior to joining Bravo Networks, Ruey served as an International Account Representative at Takes On, Inc., Tracy Ullman’s production and distribution company. She received a Bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University (Pomona). Ruey will also work out of the company’s Western Region office and also reports to Barrick.

BRAVO Networks are comprised of BRAVO — The Film and Arts Network, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), World Cinema, BRAVO International, IFC Productions and Next Wave Films.