SCI FI Channel has restructured SCIFI.COM to focus on broadband development and feature a richer balance of original online content and channel-related fare, with video playing a prominent role in every facet of the site.
Matthew Chiavelli will oversee the effort as Multimedia director and will be assembling a broadband team charged with developing the site's new broadband network, which will debut in May 2006. Also as part of the SCIFI.COM restructure, Marlon Jackson has been named web director and Shara Zoll has been named project director.
"Matthew, Marlon and Shara have been instrumental in making SCIFI.COM the #1 site on the Internet for sci-fi entertainment," said Craig Engler, svp SCIFI.COM and SCI FI MAGAZINE, who announced the changes. "In their new positions they will play a key part of our expansion into the broadband space as SCI FI continues to pioneer new forms of online content."
Chiavelli, Jackson and Zoll each of whom will be assuming newly created roles are charged with ensuring that SCIFI.COM's broadband channel will feature a robust lineup of original online video and other multimedia content, like podcasting. The team will also work hand-in-hand with SCI FI Channel's programming group to ensure that every original project on-air will have some type of broadband spin-off as part of NBC Universal's new TV360 initiative.
Chiavelli, formerly SCIFI.COM's creative director, has been promoted to multimedia director and will develop content for SCI FI's online broadband video initiatives and related media, including podcasting a feature successfully implemented on SCIFI.COM's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA site. During Chiavelli's four years with SCIFI.COM, he was responsible for two full site redesigns that garnered numerous awards, including two BDAs. He also spearheaded SCIFI.COM's shift to a more interactive, Flash-based environment, incorporating more video and audio throughout the site.
Jackson, who has been with SCIFI.COM since 1999, has been promoted from production director to web director. In his new role, Jackson will oversee the creation of all web-based content for SCIFI.COM, both original and SCI FI Channel-related. During his tenure, he managed content development and production on SCIFI.COM's highly-trafficked websites for THE TRIANGLE, STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN, GHOST HUNTERS, STARGATE SG-1, STARGATE ATLANTIS, FARSCAPE and TRIPPING THE RIFT.
As project director, Zoll will oversee project management across all SCIFI.COM efforts. Most recently, she spearheaded the redesign of SCIFI.COM's industry-leading web 'zine SCIENCE FICTION WEEKLY, and has been driving the development of a new user-created content area of the site that will be unveiled shortly. She was also instrumental in the creation of the critically-acclaimed BATTLESTAR GALACTICA site.
The SCI FI Channel fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic website (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 85 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
