ION Media Networks Bolsters Ad Sales Team

ION Media Networks said it is expanding its advertising sales team with the promotion of Robert A. Marino to Vice President, National Sales and the appointment of Laura J. Diefenbach to Account Executive, Network Sales.

The announcement was announced by Helen Karas, Senior Vice President, Network Sales, ION Media Networks.

Marino has served as Director, National Sales since joining ION Media Networks in 2007. In his new position, Marino will continue to plan and execute sales strategies, manage key accounts and develop new business opportunities for ION Television. Marino came to ION Media Networks after five years with AMC/WE TV Networks. He joined that company in 2002 as Director, New York Sales, before being named Vice President, New York Sales in 2006. Marino has also held executive positions at Fox Family Worldwide/ABC Family and at Turner Broadcasting.

Diefenbach joins ION Media Networks in the newly created position of Account Executive, Network Sales. In this role, Diefenbach will be responsible for developing and maximizing all national and local advertising sales opportunities for ION Television, in addition to growing ION's client roster and sponsorship sales. She previously held the position of Senior Account Executive at UCI-Univision Communications. Prior to that, she was Senior Account Executive at Game Show Network and was part of the sales team that launched that network. Diefenbach was also Account Executive for USA/Sci Fi Networks, where she was a three year recipient of the Sci Fi $1 Million+ New Business Award.

Both Marino and Diefenbach are based in New York.

"Bob Marino is strategic, resilient and an outstanding negotiator and this promotion is well deserved. Laura Diefenbach is an experienced sales executive with a track record that speaks for itself," said Karas. "These appointments will significantly elevate the effectiveness of our sales team and further position ION Television for continued growth and success."

ION Television is a general entertainment network which reaches over 94 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems.

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