DAVE HOWE NAMED PRESIDENT, SCI FI CHANNEL
New York, NY � January 16, 2008 � Dave Howe has been named President, SCI FI Channel, it was announced today by Bonnie Hammer, President, USA Network and SCI FI Channel, to whom he reports. Howe will oversee Original Development, Programming and Marketing, Global Brand Strategy and Market Development, Strategic Planning, SCI FI Digital (SCIFI.COM, SCI FI Pulse, DVICE.com), SCI FI Magazine, Media Relations and SCI FI's recently launched public affairs initiative, Visions for Tomorrow. In addition, Howe is charged with launching a new global brand identity for SCI FI and driving SCI FI's continuing strategy to expand and diversify its business portfolio beyond broadcast and digital media into new affinity areas such as video gaming, mobile, licensing and merchandising and the youth market.
"Dave has been an inspired contributor to SCI FI's success since the day he joined the team," said Hammer. "The Channel's on a tremendous roll, and the energy, creativity and commitment Dave brings to his new role can only accelerate the momentum."
Appointed the Channel's General Manager and Executive Vice President in July 2004, Howe had served as Executive Vice President, Marketing & Brand Strategy since joining the company in September 2001. Since becoming General Manager, Howe has overseen the launch of some of SCI FI's most successful and ground-breaking programming, including Tin Man�which was ad-supported cable's top entertainment telecast among Adults 25�54 in more than two years in addition to being the most-watched telecast in Channel history�and the critically acclaimed, Peabody award-winning series Battlestar Galactica.
Howe also spearheaded a major overhaul of SCI FI's brand strategy, focused on redefining the genre and making it more relatable and accessible to a broader audience and new generation of viewers. This lead the way for record-breaking hit drama series, Eureka, and hit reality series, Ghost Hunters, which have attracted record numbers of new, female and younger viewers to the channel.
Howe has been instrumental in shaping SCI FI's pioneering digital strategy, ensuring SCI FI remains at the forefront of digital growth and innovation and overseeing the launch of a successful new broadband channel, SCI FI Pulse, and exclusive digital programming, as well as a new technology blog, DVICE, and the genre's first user-generated database of knowledge on all things sci-fi fantasy, the SCIFIPEDIA.
Howe has played a lead role in SCI FI's consistent ratings and revenue growth, firmly establishing its top 10 cable network ranking and culminating in its best year ever in both ratings and revenue in 2007. SCI FI is widely regarded as one of the best-branded and marketed channels on television. The Channel has been honored with numerous accolades, including a D&AD award, a Clio, countless PROMAX & BDA awards, two Cannes Lions, two One Club Awards, as well as a 2004 Gold Effie Award for the campaign promoting TAKEN.
In 2003, Howe was the recipient of the prestigious Brandbuilders Award. Presented by PROMAX & BDA, Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News, the honor was awarded in recognition of his industry leadership and outstanding dedication to branding in the electronic media.
Prior to joining SCI FI, Howe spent 15 years at the BBC in London, most recently as head of the BBC's on-air marketing and creative services division (now part of Red Bee Media), where he is credited with building the BBC's multi-award-winning in-house creative team, which has delivered acclaimed on- and off-air campaigns, as well as world-class branding for the BBC's 17 UK and international TV channels, including BBC America, BBC World and the UK flagship broadcast channels BBC One and BBC Two. As Creative Director of the BBC's new channels, Howe also directed the branding and on-air launch of the BBC's five new commercial channels, UKTV, and the re-launch of the BBC's new on-air corporate identity and program branding initiative.
Howe also led the teams responsible for positioning and launching over 10 new entertainment and news channels in the UK and internationally, including BBC News 24, BBC America, BBC Canada, BBC Choice, BBC Knowledge, BBC Three, BBC Four, UK Horizons, UK Drama, UK Style, UK Play and UK Food.
In addition to his impressive marketing track record, Howe has a programming background, having produced numerous television projects for the BBC, including Points of View with Anne Robinson (of Weakest Link fame). He also produced award-winning television spots for BBC One and BBC Two comedy, music and arts, sports, current affairs and purchased programs.
Howe is a member of the American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Royal Television Society, UK. Fluent in English, German and French, he is also a classically trained pianist and oboist and played percussion in a local symphony orchestra.
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