Current Media Appoints Cable Industry Veteran Courtney Menzel as Executive Vice President of Distribution

SAN FRANCISCO, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Current Media today named Courtney Menzel as Executive Vice President of Distribution.  Ms. Menzel brings more than 20 years of media experience and will be based in Current's New York office. 

In this role, Courtney Menzel will be responsible for overseeing the network's affiliate sales and marketing initiatives for Current Media, as well as working to further expand the reach of Current's award-winning programming.   She will report to Joanna Drake Earl, Chief Operating Officer of Current Media.

"We are thrilled to bring on such an exceptional sales executive as Courtney.  She brings a wealth of experience and success in content distribution, revenue growth and sales management," said Mark Rosenthal, CEO of Current Media.  "Her role, coupled with her outstanding relationships, will be critical in helping us expand our footprint, develop a deeper understanding of our distributors' priorities and determine how Current Media can best fulfill their objectives and satisfy their needs.  This is the first in a series of exciting new executive additions that we will announce in the coming months."

The announcement comes on the heels of Current TV's recent success and recognition earning two of the industry's highest accolades, receiving both the 69th Annual George Foster Peabody Award and the 2010 Television Academy Honor for its award-winning investigative storytelling featured on its "Vanguard" series.

Previously, Ms. Menzel served as the Senior Vice President of Content Distribution and Marketing at MTV Networks.  During her 14 years at MTV Networks she developed strategic relationships with the major cable, satellite and telecommunications operators, building distribution for a number of networks including TV Land, Comedy Central, MTV2, CMT, Logo and BET.  She led partnership negotiations with affiliates and forged key marketing initiatives with them, such as a multi-platform music partnership with Comcast Communications and VH1 Storytellers.  Most recently, Ms. Menzel was tapped to head the distribution and marketing strategy for EPIX, the joint venture involving Viacom's Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM.  In less than a year, Menzel and her team grew distribution of EPIX to 30 million available homes including deals with Verizon FiOS, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Mediacom and Dish Networks.  Ms. Menzel also previously managed all local ad sales marketing for Cox Communications.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Delaware.

About Current Media

Current Media is an award-winning media company committed to exploring the world's most important, interesting, and entertaining stories. With a fully integrated television and online platform, Current connects its audience with what's going on in their world through its blend of bold and unique original and acquired productions. Current has also been at the forefront of user-generated advertising, engaging its creative community to create authentic and effective ads, called VCAMs.  It has offices in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, London and Milan.

Current TV is now viewed in the U.S., U.K., Italy and Ireland in 70 million households through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107 nationwide), Time Warner (nationwide), DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide), Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide), Verizon, AT&T, BSkyB (channel 183), Virgin Media (channel 155) and Sky Italia (channel 130).  Current.com also reaches more than 10 million people per month via its online and mobile platforms. 

More information is available at www.current.com.

SOURCE Current Media