Move for Veteran Marketing Executive Comes on Heels
of Network Acquiring The Whitest Kids U' Know
New York, NY-July 18, 2007 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and largest network dedicated to independent film and culture, announced today that Jennifer Caserta has been named Executive Vice President marketing, communications, scheduling & alternative platforms. Caserta rejoins IFC after serving as EVP and general manager of fuse. Under her guidance, at the music television network, it launched a daily live music studio series called The Sauce, and saw one of the most popular premieres of an original series in fuse's history, The Whitest Kids U'Know, a series that Caserta served as the driving force to premiere, market and brand.
In her new role at IFC she will oversee marketing, scheduling, branding, events, the IFC Free Film Tour, all of IFC's web and On Demand programming efforts, and will also serve as one of the key architects in the evolution of IFC's emerging platforms. In today's tech-savvy marketplace and the way media is consumed, it makes sense to have one main filter with which to supply direction. Caserta provides this necessary infrastructure for the array of departments she oversees. She reports to Evan Shapiro, EVP and General Manager of IFC.
"This is a perfect time to for Jen to be at IFC. Her contribution will help strengthen the network's relationships with consumers, distribution partners and the entertainment and programming industry. Her track record, of strong leadership, helps the brand to mature while retaining its reputation for being raw and innovative," said Shapiro. "This is an exciting time for IFC as we are acquiring and producing more original programming, expanding both on the linear platform and online, and providing a stronger voice for independent content. Having Jen's skill-set serves the network well as the brand continues to evolve from an independent film channel to one that is the voice of independent culture."
At fuse, Caserta oversaw the day-to-day operations enhancing the network through inventive marketing, scheduling, production and programming strategies across its multiple platforms, each designed to broaden the channel's coveted community of tech-savvy, trend-setting young adults. She launched the original series The Whitest Kids U' Know, including overseeing the programming, marketing, and scheduling of the series. Comprised of Sam Brown, Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Darren Trumeter, and Timmy Williams, The Whitest Kids U' Know launched in 2003 in New York as an underground sketch comedy troupe. They have garnered a loyal following through their collective off-kilter physical sketch comedy. The show is executive produced by acclaimed producer Jim Biederman, formerly known for The Kids in the Hall, The Tom Green Show and The Jamie Kennedy Experiment for the WB. IFC recently announced it will be acquiring season one and producing and premiering season two of the series due to fuse's emphasis on strengthening its music programming. The series is a perfect fit with IFC's male demographic audience.
Prior to fuse, Caserta served as senior vice president of marketing at IFC, overseeing all trade and consumer marketing initiatives including advertising campaigns, promotions and special events. During her two and a half year tenure there, Caserta was one of the key architects behind the network's re-branding to "tv.uncut," which earned IFC the distinction as a Brand Builder by BrandWeek. She also spearheaded some of IFC's largest-ever marketing campaigns, including IFC's coverage of Hollywood's "Un-Oscars," the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and developed one of the network's most successful integrated marketing campaigns, Target Stores Cinema Red Mondays, which brought IFC indies to 1,400 Target stores nationwide and earned IFC a Myers Media Innovation & Creativity Award. She oversaw the network's Web site and was integral in developing IFC's Film School Curriculum, a nationwide standards-based education public affairs initiative, and IFC Media Lab, a web/TV integrated program that provides filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online. Caserta joined IFC in July 2004 as vice president of marketing.
Before IFC, Caserta served as vice president of ad sales marketing for Court TV, successfully redefining the Court TV trade brand. Prior to Court TV, she held marketing positions at Oxygen Media, Food Network, Westwood One and the Radio Advertising Bureau.
Caserta earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College. She is an active member of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), Women In Cable Telecommunications (WICT) and PROMAX. In 2006, Caserta was named by Multichannel News as part of their 40 Under 40, a list of 40 people under the age of 40 who are leaving an deep-seated mark on their companies, as well as cable and telecommunications overall.
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
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, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.