Scripps Networks Interactive Selects Rogers & Cowan as Agency of Record for Cooking Channel

NEW YORK, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- After a competitive search, Scripps Networks Interactive has selected Rogers & Cowan as Agency of Record for Cooking Channel, which begins serving up a diverse lineup of shows including Cook Like an Iron Chef hosted by Michael Symon and FoodCrafters with Aida Mollenkamp on May 31, 2010. The network will also feature the U.S. premiere of shows like Food Jammers, Indian Food Made Easy, and Caribbean Food Made Easy and original programs later in the year from Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse. Cooking Channel is for food people, by food people, and from the creators of Food Network seeks to satisfy viewers' appetite to explore more trends related to food - from farm to table and global cuisines to wine and spirits.

Rogers & Cowan will create and implement a fully-integrated media relations and promotional marketing campaign to build Cooking Channel's unique brand identity as the premier destination for discussing food on a whole new level.  The announcement was made today by Cooking Channel's General Manager, Michael Smith and Rogers & Cowan CEO, Tom Tardio.

"Throughout our selection process, Rogers & Cowan demonstrated the deep category knowledge, disciplined strategic approach, and rich array of key industry relationships, necessary to take messaging our programming offerings to the next level," stated Cooking Channel General Manager, Michael Smith.

Rogers & Cowan will be tasked with launching and maintaining a comprehensive media relations campaign to build awareness and drive viewership for Cooking Channel and the new generation of culinary talent from around the world including Chuck Hughes (Chuck's Day Off), Roger Mooking (Everyday Exotic), Ching-He Huang (Chinese Food Made Easy) and David Rocco (David Rocco's Dolce Vita).  The agency will also be responsible for facilitating third-party promotions for Cooking Channel through the development of national and regional partnerships that generate awareness for the brand and network, promote programming and drive tune-in, as well as provide consumers with immersive experiences.

"Rogers & Cowan is excited to be partnering with Scripps Networks Interactive, a company that has consistently brought consumers some of the most popular lifestyle television programming in the U.S.," stated Tardio. "We have built a bi-coastal team of seasoned professionals in managing PR campaigns for cable television networks and programming to working closely with Cooking Channel's internal team to launch and build the Cooking Channel brand and facilitate the network's promotional partnerships."

Senior Vice President Maggie Gallant will oversee PR strategy for Cooking Channel and Executive Vice President Tara Walls will manage the promotional marketing program.

About Scripps Networks Interactive

Scripps Networks Interactive is one of the leading developers of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's media portfolio includes Lifestyle Media, which is comprised of popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, the Cooking Channel, and country music network Great American Country; and Interactive Services, with leading online search and comparison shopping services bizrate, Shopzilla and beso.

About Rogers & Cowan

Rogers & Cowan is the world's leading entertainment public relations and marketing agency with offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. The agency designs and implements campaigns for entertainment clients, such as film production and distribution companies, cable and network TV programming, recording artists, celebrities and athletes, web-based series and social media companies. Rogers & Cowan also creates integrated marketing solutions for consumer and technology brands seeking to build a connection with consumers through sports, entertainment and lifestyle influences.  Rogers & Cowan is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.rogersandcowan.com.

SOURCE Rogers & Cowan