Robert Oswaks has been promoted to president, marketing for Sony Pictures Television (SPT). This was announced by Steve Mosko, president, SPT, to whom he reports. In this position Oswaks directs the development and strategic implementation of advertising, marketing, promotion and the media and client relations efforts for network, syndication and cable and new media programming, as well as corporate brand marketing activities.
"Bob has taken marketing to the next level, embracing our new lines of business and executing new and interesting programs to talk to our audiences both within the entertainment community and across the many platforms that reach viewers," said Steve Mosko, president, SPT. "Bob has also worked closely with me to build bridges within the company, collaborating with Sony Electronics on our participation at CES, Home Entertainment on television titles released on DVD and with Features."
In a commitment to further pursue new media marketing on behalf of its television and digital businesses, Oswaks has promoted Chris Van Amburg to VP new media, digital and mobile marketing. In addition, Steven Gadecki has been named senior manager, new media marketing, Kendra Moore is now director, digital marketing and Allison Higgins has become senior manager, mobile marketing.
"Chris has a talent for innovation," said Oswaks. "He maximizes the growing number of digital opportunities to market SPT's diverse content."
Additionally, Rachel Mizuno has been upped to VP, affiliate marketing. In this role, Mizuno develops and manages promotion and media plans for both first-run and off-network syndicated product. She also handles co-op and media budgets for off-network syndicated shows, serves as a primary contact for station clients in top markets, and works closely with internal departments to ensure the goals of SPT's marketing efforts are met.
As head of marketing for SPT, Oswaks' responsibilities cover first-run and off-network syndication, primetime and daytime series on broadcast and cable networks, telefilms and miniseries, family entertainment and advertiser sales, and domestic Pay-Per-View and Video-On-Demand marketing. In addition, Oswaks manages SPT brands as they are marketed in the DVD marketplace, including all branding and marketing elements of the record-setting launch of the "Seinfeld" franchise on DVD.
Oswaks joined the company in May 2000 in the newly created position of executive vice president, marketing, Columbia TriStar Television Distribution, overseeing all activities related to syndication and cable. Following SPE's merger of its U.S. television operations in fall 2001, Oswaks was named executive vice president of the new SPT organization. Oswaks' accomplishments include the restructure of the company's marketing department to better address current and future programming opportunities. He also conceived and launched its first business-to-business website as well as created or redesigned extensive individual consumer sites for all SPT programming.
In his new role, Van Amburg is responsible for identifying new technologies, cutting edge applications, partnerships and media planning in the digital and new media worlds for use in marketing and promoting SPT's traditional television programs, electronic sell-through business, digital networks such as "The Minisode Network," mobile games and mobile video networks.
Van Amburg is also SPT's point person with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, managing the marketing of TV series as they move into the DVD marketplace. The studio has been in the forefront of digital marketing using online destinations, social networking sites, and widgets, and was recently singled out for WALT'S WISDOM, a customizable viral video for BREAKING BAD.
