(Jericho, NY) November 18, 2003 — Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, Cablevision Systems Corporation's (NYSE: CVC) programming subsidiary, today announced that Jim Weiss has been named senior vice president, marketing and communication. Mr. Weiss will work closely with Rainbow's executive management team to align the internal and external marketing and communications efforts with the company's key business strategies. He will report directly to Rainbow president and CEO, Joshua Sapan.
"Jim is a remarkably talented marketing executive whose perspective and insight on the many issues in the entertainment and television programming make him ideally suited to lead our communications efforts," said Mr. Sapan. "With the evolution and maturation of our entertainment and programming properties, Jim's significant experience, seasoned instincts and exceptional industry and media relationships and reputation will be increasingly important in helping our company meet its business goals. We are confident that he will architect a clear communications strategy and help articulate our success to key stakeholders across our organization and the media, industry, government and financial world's."
In his role at Rainbow, Mr. Weiss will be responsible for company-wide media relations, public affairs, employee relations, government relations and financial communications. He will also be responsible for creating and maintaining all activities relating to the corporate brand identity among both internal and external constituents, as well as Rainbow's strategy and execution for major industry events. Daniel Scheffey, who as a consultant to Rainbow had been executing the marketing and communication functions, will continue as a consultant with the company.
An industry PR veteran, Mr. Weiss joins Rainbow from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) where he spent 11 years, most recently serving as senior vice president of Corporate Communications and Media Relations. In this capacity, he managed all public relations, publicity and communications efforts on behalf of Turner Network Sales, the company's domestic distribution and affiliate sales and marketing division, as well as Turner Broadcasting Sales, Inc., the company's advertising and marketing arm. He also oversaw all communications efforts for TBS, Inc., developing strategies for corporate research and network Nielsen performance, interactive television and new technology platforms. Mr. Weiss joined TBS, Inc. in 1992 as director of public relations for TNT, overseeing entertainment programming and trade PR. In
1994, he launched Turner Classic Movies (TCM) as the network's first head of publicity. In 1995, he was promoted to vice president of publicity and given added responsibility for Turner Network Sales and Turner Home Satellite. He was promoted again in 1997 to Senior Vice President.
He played a key strategic role in the launch of several Turner brands in addition to TCM, including CNNfn, CNN/SI and Turner South. At various points in his Turner career, Mr. Weiss also handled assorted trade and business-related press activity for CNN Headline News, CNN Newsource, CNN Airport Network, and CNN Radio, among others
Weiss's joining Rainbow is a professional homecoming of sorts. Prior to joining Turner, he spent four years with Rainbow, serving as director of public relations for American Movie Classics, where he oversaw all consumer and trade press strategies for the network, including original productions, network series, on-air hosts, celebrity guests, affiliate events and sales, marketing and distribution support. He also consulted on media relations for other Rainbow properties, including Bravo and the SportsChannel Regional Networks.
Mr. Weiss earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications at State University of New York at Cortland, where he currently serves as an advisor to the communications program. He is a past president and current board member of the Cable Television Public Affairs Association
(CTPAA) and serves in various capacities for industry organizations including CTAM, NCTA,
NATAS and Promax.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow owns and manages national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment, as well as Mag Rack, a collection of on-demand video magazines. In addition, Rainbow has recently launched the VOOM 21, a series of commercial-free channels that provide a wide range of programming content and capitalize on the advent of high definition television. Rainbow's other businesses include its regional programming services — MetroChannels, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks – in addition to the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.