NEW YORK, NY, July 31, 2007 VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of HD channels worldwide, announced today the appointment of Marlea Willis as Vice President of Public Relations. Willis formerly served as Senior Director of Public Relations for AMC and WE tv. In her new role, Willis will oversee all consumer press activities for VOOM, and work to promote and to extend the reach and brand perception of the channel suite both domestically and internationally. She reports to Ellen Kroner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing for Rainbow Media.
"Marlea has played a huge role in building the awareness within the consumer media for AMC and WE tv and we look forward to her transcending this skill-set over to VOOM HD," said Kroner. "Her leadership ability and expertise in creating successful buzz-building campaigns will be an excellent fit for VOOM's wide array of programming. She will be an integral part of the senior staff and we look forward to adding her talents to the network."
Last month, Cablevision announced the addition of the fifteen VOOM channels to its HD lineup, reinforcing the consumer demand for more and better HD programming. Its original programming includes the star studded VOOM Robert Wilson Portraits, which attracted some of today's biggest stars, to the current high-definition documentation of an historic Mount Everest expedition, VOOM offers a wide variety of compelling original programming for every interest with stunning, eye-popping HD clarity. With the expectation of the growing population of HDTV households, VOOM fills a void in the marketplace for the shortage of high-caliber HD programming in the home.
Prior to joining Rainbow Media, Willis was the Director of Public Relations for A&E Network and The Biography Channel. During her tenure at A&E Network she created and executed PR campaigns for notable dramas and series such as: "Flight 93;" "Ike: Countdown to D-Day" starring Tom Selleck; the Emmy Award-winning "Horatio Hornblower;" "The Brooke Ellison Story" directed by Christopher Reeve; "Shackleton" starring Kenneth Branagh, "MI-5;" "Dash & Lilly" directed by Kathy Bates and starring Judy Davis and Sam Shepard; "The Crossing" starring Jeff Daniels; "Cracker" starring Robbie Coltrane; "Jane Eyre" starring Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton; "Emma" starring Kate Beckinsale; and "Pride and Prejudice" starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth to name a few. On the documentary side she crafted campaigns for "Criss Angel Mindfreak," "Inked," the launch of "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "Rollergirls," "God or the Girl," and "Combat Diary: The Marines of Lima Company." She also was responsible for performing arts programs such as "Live by Request," and "Breakfast with the Arts." For The Biography Channel she oversaw the publicity efforts for: "Biography" the series, "Psychic Investigators," "Dead Famous," "90 Days in Hollywood," "Paparazzi," and "NASCAR: Driven to Win."
Before entering the cable industry, Willis was a working opera singer and has performed with companies and orchestras throughout the US and Europe. Willis attended the Liberty Music School and studied voice with renowned Bel Canto artist, Eileen DiTullio; and studied acting with Timothy Phillips. She currently resides in Pawling, NY and is a member of The Academy of Television Arts and Science and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Willis is also active in the community, supporting non-profit organization Children's Village in New York.
About VOOM HD Networks
Rainbow's VOOM HD Networks (www.voom.com) comprise the world's largest suite of high-definition content for distribution through satellite and cable operators. With programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art, the VOOM HD Networks are available in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network and Cablevision's iO digital cable service. The 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available globally. It is currently distributed in Scandinavia, Estonia and Latvia, and will soon debut in Asia. Similarly, select VOOM HD programming is available worldwide and has been licensed to viewers in more than 100 countries. Building on Rainbow's history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.
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.