Press Releases & News Briefs

PBS KIDS SPROUT NAMES EILEEN DISKIN VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

Significant Growth Continues at First and Only 24-Hour Preschool Network, Video-on-Demand Service and Interactive Website with Hire of Three New Directors

Philadelphia, PA - March 21, 2006 - Eileen Diskin, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in television marketing, brand management and sales strategy, has joined PBS KIDS Sprout as Vice President of Marketing, announced Sandy Wax, the network's President.  Wax further announced the hire of three new directors to key departments: Denice DiCarlo, Director of Accounting; Jenni Glenn, Director of Public Relations, and Annie Rex, Director of Interactive. 

Diskin's responsibilities include driving strategy for consumer, affiliate and interactive marketing, as well as creating cross-promotional opportunities for advertisers.  With her brand management expertise, she and her team will create awareness and interest for PBS KIDS Sprout across all consumer touchpoints.  In addition, Diskin will ensure brand consistency in all marketing and promotional elements. 

"We are delighted to welcome Eileen to PBS KIDS Sprout," said Wax.  "She brings more than 15 years of creativity and innovation to her duties as Vice President of Marketing.  We are equally excited to welcome Denice, Jenni and Annie to the Sprout family, as our network continues to grow and attract the best talent.  I am confident that Eileen and her colleagues will be a tremendous asset in reaching our goal of becoming the premier multi-platform destination for outstanding programming that kids love and parents trust." 

Diskin comes to PBS KIDS Sprout - the first and only 24-hour on-air, on demand and online service devoted to preschoolers and their parents and caregivers - after serving two years as Senior Director, National Brand Management for Comcast Cable.  In that position, Diskin was responsible for ensuring brand consistency, creating and evaluating brand awareness and defining the focus of Comcast's overall brand experience. 

Diskin joined Comcast in 2002 as Director of Communications and served as a liaison for senior management to help ensure consistency of Comcast's messages to key audiences.  Prior to that, she held positions with the Walt Disney Company and E! Entertainment Television, where she was charged with driving affiliate marketing strategies.  She holds a B.S. in Communications from the University of Delaware and is a member of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) and Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT).

Denice DiCarlo comes to the network after more than five years in Comcast Corporation's accounting department, where she became manager of accounting and reporting controls in 2003.  As PBS KIDS Sprout's Director of Accounting, she will oversee and manage operational budgets, ensure that financial spending is aligned with board objectives, and will assist with forecasting of departmental spending.

With more than 15 years of experience in communications, Jenni Glenn most recently served as Director of Communications for the Miss America Organization.  Prior to that, she was Public Relations Manager for the West Chester, PA-based QVC, Inc., and has also held senior-level public relations positions at both CDNOW, Inc. and Milan Entertainment.  Overseeing internal and external communications and media relations strategies for PBS KIDS Sprout, Glenn will implement campaigns designed to build excitement and increase awareness of the network and its gold standard programming.

Annie Rex is a seasoned interactive and online professional with extensive hands-on knowledge and a broad understanding of Web development.  Over the past decade, she has held various leadership positions at interactive agencies, Web giants, and Fortune 50 companies - including Omnient, eBay, Refinery and Comcast - and has engaged in a diverse range of projects within the professional, academic, and non-profit sectors.  Rex's goal at PBS KIDS Sprout is to create a best-in-class, new media destination that provides high-quality, interactive entertainment and information for preschoolers and their parents and caregivers.

About PBS KIDS Sprout
PBS KIDS Sprout was created as a partnership between Comcast Corporation, the country's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services; PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), the most trusted distributor of award-winning children's programming; HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality entertainment for young children, and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street. PBS KIDS Sprout currently has over 18 million committed subscribers.

PBS KIDS Sprout launched its Video on Demand (VOD) service in April 2005, and its      24-hour digital cable channel and website (www.sproutletsgrow.com ) in September 2005.  The network is available on digital cable and satellite to over 18 million committed subscribers, with a program lineup that includes Sesame Street®, Bob the Builder™, Barney & Friends™, Thomas & Friends™, Angelina Ballerina™, Sagwa: The Chinese Siamese Cat™,  Caillou®, The Berenstain Bears™, Jay Jay the Jet Plane™, Teletubbies™, Dragon Tales™, Pingu™, Noddy™ and more.

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PRESS CONTACTS:
Jenni Glenn      
PBS KIDS Sprout    
(215) 667-2703      
jenni_glenn@sproutletsgrow.com

John Bianchi 
Goodman Media International
212-576-2700 
jbianchi@goodmanmedia.com