US cable/satellite channel, Bravo, has promoted Jason Klarman from SVP of marketing and brand strategy to EVP of marketing and digital (note: for an in-depth interview with Klarman, see [itvt] Issue 6.95). In his new role, Klarman will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing strategy, content and operations for Bravo's broadband video-rich digital portfolio, which includes BravoTV.com, the newly acquired TelevisionWithoutPity.com, and the broadcaster's Trio suite of broadband channels, comprised of BrilliantButCancelled.com (features episodes of cancelled--but worthy--shows), OUTzoneTV.com (targets the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community), and getTRIO.com (a recently launched broadband site devoted to pop culture). He will also take over responsibility for ad sales marketing, working with Bravo's head of sales to create what the broadcaster terms "an effective 360-degree market strategy for the Bravo brand"; and will continue to direct development of all the broadcaster's brand strategy and consumer marketing (he currently oversees all Bravo's consumer advertising and on-air promotion, and collaborates with the broadcaster's senior management team on overall strategy).
According to the broadcaster, Klarman's achievements at Bravo include its 2005 rebranding, which saw it adopt a "talk bubble" logo and a new tagline, "Watch What Happens"; the relaunch of its Web site as a pop-culture portal, which resulted in a 123% increase in unique visitors; the introduction of interactive microsites for its top shows; the launch of an originally produced weekly cooking Webisode series, "Top Recipe: The Wong Way to Cook"; the launch of an online reality show, entitled "The Real Kids of Orange County," that is a spin-off of its broadcast series, "The Real Housewives of Orange County"; and the launch of a live-streaming interactive online show, entitled "Watch What Happens." Before joining Bravo in 2004, Klarman served as SVP of marketing at pop-culture channel, Trio. His career also includes stints as VP of marketing at Fox News, where he worked on the channel's launch and oversaw consumer and trade marketing; and as director of media relations at CNBC. He holds BA's in economics and political science from the University of Michigan and an MBA in finance and marketing from NYU.
In related news, Bravo has named Mari Katsunuma VP of digital, in which role she will be tasked with managing the strategic development, content and operations of the broadcaster's Web and broadband initiatives. She will report to Klarman. She was previously executive director of programming at AOL, in which role she launched the lifestyle portal, AOL Living; the beauty and fashion site, Stylelist.com; and a series of broadband video shows on entertaining, cooking and home improvement. Prior to that, she headed up programming for AOL Music, launching such broadband video programs as "AOL Sessions," "Dave Matthews Live from Central Park," and "Live 8" (which won an Emmy). She also developed mobile TV programming for AOL. She holds a BA from the University of Chicago and an MA from Stanford University.
In related news: according to the Hollywood Reporter, Bravo plans to offer an original broadband TV series, entitled "Miami Spice," on a new Web site it has developed for its reality TV show, "Top Chef." The new series stars Elia Aboumrad, who appeared in the second season of "Top Chef." Bravo also plans to launch a show, entitled "Ask a Gay Man," on OUTzoneTV.com. The show will star prominent videoblogger, William Sledd.
Originally Published: April 16, 2007 in [itvt] Issue 7.26 Part 1
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