Plum TV Sets New Direction, Launching Groundbreaking Media Expansions, Installing New Senior Management Team

NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom Scott, Chairman and Co-Founder of Plum TV, announced today plans for a groundbreaking, multi-million dollar expansion of Plum TV as a multi-faceted media brand, making the company the first to create a comprehensive series of innovative platforms to reach a targeted audience of upscale consumers. Plum's Board of Directors elected media and entertainment visionary Jerry Powers as Executive Chairman and Board Co-Chairman, serving alongside Tom Scott.  The Board has also appointed the company's current General Manager and Executive Vice President, Nicholas Lehman, as CEO of Plum TV.

Plum TV's new management team of Powers and Lehman will lead a major expansion of the company's current operations to encompass an integrated collection of convergent media platforms.  Plum will launch new digital experiences and mobile applications, a series of high-profile national and local events, and a collection of new regional lifestyle print publications. The company also plans to advance into additional television markets in 2011.  Plum's Board is independently funding the new directions of the brand.

"Plum TV has always been known for our unique and high-end audience in niche markets," said Tom Scott.  "We're now moving to reach these same consumers in all aspects of their lives—at home through print, television, online, on-the-go with mobile applications, and in-person through high-profile experiential events around the country."

Jerry Powers is widely known as a leader of innovation in the entertainment business, having pioneered the model for controlled circulation regional lifestyle media as founder and publisher of Ocean Drive and the Ocean Drive Media Group.  Earlier in his career, Powers was a prominent force in the music industry as a personal manager to numerous high-profile recording artists.

"Plum TV is well-positioned for broad expansion and groundbreaking advancements, especially at a time when most media companies are contracting," said Powers.  "Plum TV is a multimedia company with the resources and innovation to be a leader in media and entertainment."

Nicholas Lehman's move to the CEO role marks a fast promotion for the executive who joined the network seven months ago as Executive Vice President.  Since joining Plum TV, Lehman has invigorated the network by launching a slate of new programming, embarking on new digital initiatives, developing new marketing strategies, redesigning the channel's on-air creative, and forging new strategic partnerships.  Lehman brings an extensive background and expertise in digital media and television, formerly serving in senior positions at IAC and MTV Networks where he launched and led numerous new brands and business extensions in digital and mobile spaces.  

"Plum is leading the way as a multi-dimensional network, engaging both hyper-local and national audiences in a variety of convergent ways," said Lehman.  "I'm excited to work with Tom, Jerry, and everyone at Plum to bring audiences and advertisers new innovations across all platforms."

Lehman's initial hiring was the culmination of realignment efforts led by media entrepreneur Brian Bedol, whom the Board brought in as Executive Chairman a year ago to refocus the business and to set a strong strategic direction for Plum TV's future endeavors.  Bedol will continue to stay involved with Plum, remaining on the company's Board of Directors.

Plum TV will kick off its new event series with a live New Year's Eve broadcast across all Plum TV platforms from a major hotel in South Beach.  For the first time in Plum TV's history, the program will also feature live cut-away coverage of New Year's celebrations in multiple destinations.  Plum TV's large-scale New Year's coverage will be closely followed by similarly exclusive experiential events, such as a multi-platform experience at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, new pre-game lifestyle shows covering all aspects of basketball in Miami, a South Beach Model Volleyball event, an after-party on February 17 for the All-Star game in LA, and more events to be announced in coming months.

Plum TV plans to launch the first edition of a limited distribution glossy lifestyle magazine in Miami in December 2010, with editions to follow in the Hamptons and Aspen in 2011. The Miami edition will publish ten times per year, with the Hamptons and Aspen publishing seasonally.

Each planned expansion will enable additional luxury and prestige brands to access Plum's unparalleled demographic of consumers and will engage Plum's audience with access to the most dynamic and exclusive content and events.

Plum TV is the first and only cross-platform lifestyle network providing original programming for the most active, influential, and successful individuals in the world. Plum TV provides top insider knowledge from world-favorite destinations--Aspen, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, The Hamptons, Vail, Telluride, Sun Valley, Miami Beach and more--combining the power of hyper-local coverage with high-quality national programming.  Plum TV guides viewers in navigating the world's best experiences, places, products, and people and helps its audience make exceptional and educated choices.  From travel and adventure, to food and fashion, to philanthropy and the arts, Plum TV is the only network dedicated to the discovery of the best things in life.

SOURCE Plum TV