Kim Volonakis Promoted to Vice President, Ad Sales Marketing
New York, NY, October 10, 2011 – IFC announced today that the network has appointed Blake Callaway to the position of senior vice president of marketing, effective October 31, and promoted Kim Volonakis from director to vice president, ad sales marketing, effective immediately. The announcements were made by IFC’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Jennifer Caserta, to whom Callaway will report. Volonakis will report to Callaway. Both are based in the network’s NYC headquarters. Callaway will join IFC from Syfy where he most recently served as senior vice president of brand and strategic marketing.
“Blake is an amazing addition to IFC’s senior team,” said Caserta. “His experience in growing and fostering consumer brands will help IFC continue to increase viewership, grow revenue and create attractive and customized opportunities for our advertising and affiliate partners. As consumer media habits continue to fragment, Blake’s innovation and creativity will position IFC as a strong partner and go-to destination for the young male audience we serve.”
“This is an exciting time to join IFC,” commented Callaway. “The network’s ‘slightly off’ sensibility, fresh approach to comedy and commitment to building a brand that connects with young male viewers is a great foundation to build from in the coming years. IFC has also recently become advertiser supported and is committed to bringing the same level of creativity and innovation to the advertising community that they deliver to viewers. I can’t wait to get started as we take IFC to the next level of success.”
In his new role, Callaway will further develop IFC’s brand position and marketing initiatives with the goal of creating breakthrough campaigns that drive ratings and revenue.
During his tenure at Syfy, Callaway was instrumental in the channel’s rebrand. His efforts led the network to experience its most watched series in Syfy history as well as the brand’s most successful upfront. Prior to Syfy, Callaway was at the forefront of communication planning for innovative advertising agencies such as Kirshenbaum Bond’s Media Kitchen and Merkley + Partners. Callaway also worked at leading Hispanic Communications Agency Lopez Negrete. Prior agency assignments focused on a diverse portfolio of brands including Visa, Bank of America, Jet Blue, and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
Caserta continued: “Since joining IFC, Kim’s contributions have helped further position the network as a creative partner for advertisers looking to reach young men with both traditional advertising and branded content that supports their marketing messages. In her new role she will continue to build truly exciting opportunities for IFC and our valued sponsors. We’re excited to honor her achievements with this promotion.”
As the vice president of ad sales marketing, Volonakis will oversee IFC’s multiplatform integrated campaigns, the creation of strategic revenue generating opportunities with advertisers, and will drive IFC’s trade communication and marketing strategies. As the director of ad sales marketing, Volonakis was instrumental in transitioning IFC to the sales marketplace as a fully ad-supported and Nielsen rated network.
Prior to IFC, Volonakis worked at Syfy developing both advertiser and consumer facing campaigns around the network’s top programming. She launched Syfy’s rebrand to the sales community along with a series of successful, revenue generating offerings. Volonakis has also held positions at MTV Networks and USA Network.
Rounding out IFC’s marketing department, Lauren Burack serves as vice president of marketing, overseeing consumer media, events, promotions, and social media strategy. Kevin Vitale serves in the newly established position of vice president of creative and brand strategy, having moved over from AMC Networks’ creative services division. Vitale is responsible for the overall on air, print and digital marketing creative as well as the network’s on air media planning department. Burack and Vitale will both report to Callaway and are based in IFC’s NYC office.
About IFC
IFC creates and champions authentic, original content that is “Always On. Slightly Off.” Since 1994, IFC has cultivated television programming that challenges the conventions of storytelling. Today, IFC continues to embrace content with an indie perspective. Original series – headlined by brand-defining scripted and sketch comedy – air alongside an extraordinary collection of films and cult TV shows. Long and short-form original content inspired by music, web, gaming, animation, news, and culture is available on multiple platforms. IFC provides viewers access to must-see festivals and events around the country, like the Film Independent’s Spirit Awards and SXSW. IFC.com features exclusive video, podcasts, blogs, news and reviews cultivated and written by industry experts. The network’s On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives fans the opportunity to watch select content from IFC whenever they want. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.
About AMC Networks Inc.
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: AMCX) owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming origination and distribution company.