AMC Networks Names Jen Caserta Chief Transformation Officer

Longtime IFC president and general manager Jen Caserta has been named chief transformation officer for AMC Networks, the company announced Monday.

Caserta, who has served as network president since 2012, will now be responsible for driving and facilitating organizations structures and strategies for AMC Networks, reporting to AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan.

During her tenure at IFC, Caserta help build the IFC brand by overseeing the creation of original scripted series such as Portlandia, Brockmire and Documentary Now!

[AMC Networks Reports Higher First-Quarter Net]

“We have been focused on diversifying our business in ways that enable us to seize new opportunities and achieve long-term growth, and are already seeing this effort translating into business results. This new role will help ensure we are positioned to take advantage of opportunities as our business continues to evolve,” said Josh Sapan, President and CEO of AMC Networks in a statement. “Jen’s deep understanding of the business, her superb leadership and management skills, and track record of successfully transforming brands and creating new business models, make her uniquely qualified to take on this important new role.”

IFC’s Executive VP of Brand Marketing Blake Callaway has been upped to executive vice president and acting general manager of IFC, overseeing IFC’s marketing, publicity, scheduling and acquisitions.

Callaway joined IFC in 2011 as senior VP of marketing, and has launched successful marketing campaigns including Brockmire, Portlandia, and Documentary Now! Callaway, along with IFC’s executive vice president, original programming and production Pete Aronson, will report to AMC Networks COO Ed Carroll.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.