Ovation beefs up management for premium drama launches and OTT growth

Ovation beefs up management for premium drama launches and OTT growth
Editor
| 17 August 2018

In advance of several key programming initiatives and the expansion of its over-the-top services, American arts network Ovation has promoted several key executives and has added staff to its marketing department.
ovation 17aug2018
The move is said to come at a pivotal time in the network’s evolution, as it builds on its linear channel’s success with premium arts-focused drama series like the upcoming season three premiere of Versailles, as well as continued growth and expansion of its live-streaming app Ovation NOW and digital cultural travel network, JOURNY.

Overseeing the company OTT initiatives and strategy is Will Marks, who has been promoted to SVP, business development and digital. Marks has been responsible for the launches and ongoing expansion of Ovation NOW and JOURNY, which is claimed to be the leading app in the travel category across the Roku platform. He will continue to lead all new business development and partnership opportunities for the network.

The network has also elevated Erica Henry to vice president, acquisitions, scheduling and programme planning. Henry has been responsible for securing content rights for Ovation’s linear and OTT services from program producers and distributors around the world. Edward Forman — said to be a pivotal member of the ad sales team since 2007 and a driving force in the networks consistent year-over-year ad revenue gains — has been promoted to senior director, ad sales. Frank Vittori, who has played a key role in the company’s in-house production unit, with oversight of hours of original content and on-air promotional spots, has been promoted to vice president, post-production. In the company’s corporate relations division, Jessica Yas Barker has been promoted to senior director and will continues to oversee the company’s arts advocacy efforts.

Commenting on the moves, CFO Phil Gilligan said: “Ovation continues to be an agile independent network that has been able to adapt and respond to the changing media landscape. Our staying power and success has been a result of the outstanding team we have in place. I’m delighted to announce these promotions and our new marketing manager and look forward to seeing the next phase of the company’s evolution unfold. These are exciting times for Ovation, and we are poised to take advantage of the multitude of opportunities available today.”
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