ION Media Networks, Inc. announced today that Carole Smith has been named Vice President of Research. In this New York-based position, Ms. Smith will design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research, and prepare analyses and recommendations across the Company's advertising sales, distribution, programming, marketing and public relations functions.
"We are thrilled to have Carole join our team," said Eleo Hensleigh, Chief Marketing Officer, ION Media Networks. "Her comprehensive research knowledge and diverse media experience will greatly support ION Television's strategic repositioning as a general entertainment destination targeting the 25-54 demographic."
In this new role, Ms. Smith is charged with building a strong research department, which will integrate a wide variety of research methods and data sources to gain new insights into traditional and new media effectiveness, market trends and program and concept viability.
"I am very excited to join ION at such a pivotal time in the Company's history," said Ms. Smith. "ION Television has an outstanding plan for the future, and I look forward to the challenge of helping shape the network's strategic initiatives moving forward."
Ms. Smith comes to ION from VH1, CMT and Logo, where she served as Vice President of Research and was responsible for all market research of these three MTV Networks' cable television and multi-platform divisions.
Previously, Ms. Smith held executive level research positions at both Univision and the ABC Television Network. She began her career in the advertising sector, managing broadcast research at McCann-Erickson, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut and completed the Developing Managers Program through ABC Inc./Simmons College.
About ION Media Networks
ION Media Networks, Inc. owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and ION Television, which reaches over 94 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems, and features popular TV series and movies from the award-winning libraries of RHI Entertainment, CBS Television, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television, Twentieth Television and Warner Bros., among others. Using its digital multicasting capability, the Company has launched several digital TV brands, including qubo, a channel for children focusing on literacy and values, and ION Life, a channel dedicated to active living and personal growth. It also has launched Open Mobile Ventures Corporation (OMVION), a business unit focused on the research and development of portable, mobile and out-of-home transmission technology using over-the-air digital television spectrum. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.com.