HOLLYWOOD, Calif. , June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
IC Punch Media, Inc. ( OTCQB: PNCH ) announced today the official launch date for the new VU Television Network will be September 23rd 2013.
VU Television Network is currently developing National programming and content consisting of launch related specials, reality series, comedy, local entertainment news, drama and family friendly movies along with children's programming for morning weekday and weekend time periods.
VU Television Network will launch in 15 major cities across the U.S. in September offering original programing combined with Local Entertainment News and event offerings in every city.
"The main differentiator for VU Television will be our local presence in each city. While the majority of networks that have launched over the past few years have only been able to offer national cable programing, VU Televisions will tap into the power of our www.icplaces.com websites to enhance and attract more audience numbers." said Steven Samblis , CEO of IC Punch Media, Inc. "Over the past eight years, through our icplaces.com websites, we have built a large contingence of local partnerships and viewers in each city. These include local concert and event partners in each market, along with restaurant partners, business partners, theaters, both large and small, Hollywood studios and Out of Home Network partners. We will now harness these relationships and deliver it to our stations in each and every city, giving us a true local presence combined with an amazing line up of original programing and content.
The break-out star of local programing for VU Television in each city will be a weekly half-hour entertainment news show "Happening This Week in...!!" The show will bring local viewers their own one-stop entertainment-hub to know everything going on that week in their city. We will feature upcoming concerts and events coming to town each week. The show will tell people how to purchase tickets for the various events, even if they are sold out. We will offer local restaurant reviews, sent in by people around the city using the icplaces.com "Instant Restaurant Review" app, which will be re-launching in August of 2013. "Happening" will also announce and hold local movies screenings with give-away prizes and events on air and in partnership with local businesses in each city. This is a truly unique distinction in launching a new TV Network where we will be actually running each local affiliate station in the designated cities. It will allow VU Television to build local marketing partnerships to enhance their brand and build their domestic audience through this established programming platform.
New IC Punch Media President Appointed.
The company has also brought on veteran TV syndicator and producer, Gayle Dickie as the President of IC Punch Media, Inc. and the newly created VU Television Network.
In her role as President Gayle will oversee the network's day-to-day operations of their multi-platform broadcast, cable, OOHD and streaming content distribution channels. The company will create original content as well as establishing strategic partnerships on an ad-revenue share basis.
Dickie started her career working for the former presidents of Twentieth Century-Fox and Orion Pictures, moving into television syndication in the late 80's when few women were offered executive positions. Successfully selling television programs to 210 television stations domestically for companies including Viacom, Mattel Toys, and Tribune's TPE, Dickie was the sales powerhouse behind the original creation of "DragonBall Z" to Haim Saban and Saban Entertainment, which started an empire for Funimation Entertainment, now the leading company for home video sales of Japanese Animation in the United States . As head of Business Development for Entertainment & Media for Covansys, Inc., she was responsible for sales of business intelligence to major TV/Film/Studio/Music companies providing end-to-end solutions and custom development software applications to Warner Bros., Fox Filmed Entertainment, Universal, DreamWorks, MGM, Sony, Paramount, E!Networks, Disney and DirecTV . As a creative consultant evaluating various film and television projects, Gayle has raised private equity/financing for multiple independent films and television shows, forming strategic alliances with various producers, directors and writers in the US and Canada and Pan Asia.
" Gayle Dickie's vast relationships and extensive background in programming, syndication, broadcast and technology makes her the perfect person to lead our network during this unprecedented time of multi media platform entertainment," said IC Punch Media, Inc. CEO Steve Samblis .
Dickie's first appointment is James Allen Bradley , as EVP of Production and Operations. Jim's the perfect partner to produce original content on time and on budget with a solid producing background in TV and film. James has produced and or directed over 15 feature films and over 100 hours of Television. Working with such celebrated talent as Kate Bosworth , Chris Evans , Billy Ray Cyrus , Ron Pearlman , Cuba Gooding Jr., Ray Winstone , Michelle Rodriguez , John Malkovich , Kevin Costner and countless others. As an executive producer, Jim raised private equity and subsequently directed 50 episodes of "THE HOLLYWOOD JUDGE SHOW" which will be appearing on VU this fall.
Jim started his career at All Post, Inc., a video post-production company in charge of post-production services for television shows such as "SEINFELD" and "WILL AND GRACE." The next two years, Jim moved up to post-production supervisor for Artist View Entertainment, a foreign sales company founded in 1991. Then in 1998, having honed numerous skills in the television arena, Jim chose to go back to film production as a trouble shooting line producer and Executive for Motion Picture Bond Company, a specialized insurance company that guarantees completion of production for investors, banks, distributors and unions. With diverse and concentrated expertise, Jim has had the opportunity to direct feature films including "THE NEWCOMERS" starring Chris Evans , Paul Dano , Jeff Fahey and a young Kate Bosworth . Jim's television show, "Better Homes & Gardens" won the Daytime Emmy Award in 2000 for "Best Service Show" on which he was supervising producer. Having worked on over 20 feature films including the Academy Award winning film, "Dances With Wolves", Jim's valued experience spans decades of involvement in quality entertainment.
For the newly created position of EVP of Sales and Marketing Partnerships, Dickie names Meredith Walters , a seasoned sales and marketing executive with over 25 years experience in broadcast television, cable and digital media industries. Meredith is considered an innovative sales leader with diverse career experiences at the top networks in Television and Cable, including FOX, UPN, NBC, and COX Media. Throughout her career in Television and New Media, Meredith was instrumental in the launch and introduction of several networks such as FOX, MSNBC, UPN, NETZERO and OOH digital network, SOLUTREA to the advertising marketplace.
During her long tenure in broadcast television, Meredith was responsible for over $ 500MM in advertising revenue. In her position as National Sales Manager at UPN 44, Meredith was part of the launch of the cutting edge UPN network and was responsible for over $31 MM in national revenue. During her tenure at NBC, Meredith developed advertising revenue of over $15 MM and co-created the "Chris Matthews College tour" show. This show was also a one of a kind integrated sponsorship program incorporating a specialized content. This show is still on the NBC cable networks today.
"I've known Meredith for over 20 years and couldn't wait to bring her on board. She's innovative in her sales approach and brings a diverse broadcast and cable background including the OOHD platforms."
"I couldn't be more thrilled to work with these talented and solid executives," states Dickie, who has been working closely with Samblis and Bradley, strategizing a significant launch to take place September 23, 2013 .
About IC Punch Media, Inc.
IC Punch Media, Inc. is a transmedia entertainment complex that produces entertainment content for distribution across multiple mediums. The company trades on the OTCQB: Symbol PNCH. ( http://www.icplaces.com )
Through multiple long term partnerships, clips and full episodes of the company's shows are available to people outside the traditional set top box. This exposure serves as both a profit center and marketing component promoting the TV Network, its line up and the company's new media specific programming across multiple platforms.
IC Places Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
IC Punch Media, Inc.
407-442-0309 Ext2
info@icplaces.com
