New York, NY – October 10, 2001 – Rainbow Media’s MuchMusic USA, the nation’s only viewer-driven all music network, announced today the promotion of Lisa Schwartz to senior vice president of affiliate sales & marketing. Schwartz will lead and manage all of MuchMusic USA affiliate sales and marketing, including sales strategy, planning and negotiations. She will report directly to Nora Ryan, acting general manager of MuchMusic USA and SVP of business strategy for Rainbow Media.
“In her new role, Lisa will oversee expanded sales and marketing operations and steer the aggressive roll-out of MuchMusic USA,” said Ryan. “Lisa has been a strong, vital force in successfully doubling the subscriber base and positioning MuchMusic USA for rapid growth as a driver for the adoption of digital cable and modems.”
Schwartz brings more than 15 years experience in sales and marketing to MuchMusic USA. She first began working with MuchMusic USA in January 2000 as a sales and marketing consultant. In this capacity, she developed and directed sales and marketing strategies for the network and managed a number of national account affiliation agreements. She then joined MuchMusic USA full-time as a vice president of national accounts and distribution strategies.
As an independent advisor, Schwartz consulted on national brand and marketing strategies for several cable communications and technology companies. Previously, Schwartz held the position of vice president of sales at Music Choice and worked for StarNet Inc. for many years as the vice president of affiliate sales and marketing. While at Star, she managed three cable television promotional services that included: NuStar, The Promoter and The Barker channel. Schwartz began her career as a communications manager at Harte-Hanks Cable TV.
Schwartz holds an undergraduate degree from Cabrini College and is in the process of obtaining a master’s degree from LaSalle University. She currently resides in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania with her husband Peter and daughter Grace.
About MuchMusic USA
MuchMusic USA is the only independent music network, featuring music videos and live concerts in an all-music-all-the-time format. Beginning Summer 2001, the channel will feature viewer influenced and generated music programming. On MuchMusic USA, viewers voice their opinions, influence what’s on the air, participate in discovering new music and even create music video programming to air on the network. For more information about MuchMusic USA, please visit our Web site at www.mmusa.tv
About Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) and NBC, Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. manages Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, American Movie Classics, We: Women’s Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports, News 12 Networks and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in Fox Sports Net. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20 percent stake in four of Rainbow’s national networks – AMC, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel and WE: Women’s Entertainment.
A new series of Cablevision common stock — Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG) — began trading on the NYSE on March 30 2001. The assets that comprise Rainbow Media Group tracking stock include: American Movie Classics, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, WE: Women’s Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow’s interest in the national service FOX Sports Net, Rainbow’s five regional sports channels outside of the New York market, and Rainbow Network Communications.
Contact:
Jocelyn Johnson
212-446-1867
jjohnson@sloanepr.com