Raleigh Takes Over GSN Ad Sales
Santa Monica, Calif. — GSN named Christopher Raleigh senior vice president of advertising sales.
Raleigh, formerly vice president of advertising sales at TechTV, succeeds Michael Sakin, who previously ran both ad sales and distribution at GSN.
Sakin resigned from GSN in October, one month after the network hired former Lifetime executive Jan Hatcher to head affiliate sales as senior vice president of distribution.
NBCU Hypes Weather Plus
New York — NBC Universalis using its cable and broadcast networks to tout its new NBC Weather Plus channel, which debuted in November.
During NBC’s pregame show for the Toyota Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day, anchor Tom Hammond checked in for a live report from NBC Weather Plus meteorologist Elise Finch on the forecast for each quarter of the game.
Weather Plus said other NBC Universal networks will promote Weather Plus during sports coverage, including events on USA Network.
Gay Net Cues Up Ad Campaign
Palm Springs, Calif. — Q Television Network said it will spend about $1 million over the next month promoting its gay programming service, which is distributed by RCN Corp. in New York, San Francisco and Massachusetts.
The ads began running in USA Today, and several gay and lesbian publications, on Jan. 6.
Outdoor Opens Gotham Sales Office
New York — The Outdoor Channelopened up a sales office in New York, naming formerRainbow Media Holdings sales executive Glen Dolce vice president of advertising sales for the Eastern region. Dolce had worked previously as director of advertising sales for AMC and Women’s Entertainment.
Showtime, Apple Ink iTunes Promo
New York — As part of a first-quarter acquisition campaign, Showtime has inked a promotional deal through which those who sign up for the premium service and keep it for three months will receive a $25 gift card good at any of Apple Computer Corp.’s retail stores or receive a $25 iTunes Music Store gift certificate. The promotional period runs through March 31.
Showtime executives say that distributors can use the campaign to promote the iTunes Music Store on their high-speed data offerings. In turn, Showtime is backing the effort with cross-channel spots, as well as a customizable direct mail initiative. The network has also created a sweepstakes around the second season launch of lesbian drama series The L Word, which will be promoted on Showtime and its multiplexes.
Consumers will be alerted to both the Apple offer and the sweepstakes at Showtime’s Web site (www.sho.com).
