Sorpresa! Expands Affiliate Relations and Programming Teams

NEW YORK, January 28:
Sorpresa!, Juniper Content Corporation’s
Hispanic children’s network, has appointed Samantha Brown as senior director of
western division affiliate relations, and Yvette Sanchez as programming
manager.

In her new role, Brown
will be responsible for expanding the network’s affiliate base in top West
Coast markets, as well as strengthening the distribution of Sorpresa! through
existing affiliate relationships. She will be based in Los Angeles and report
to Tim Kelly, the VP of affiliate sales and marketing. A fourteen-year veteran
of affiliate sales and marketing, Brown most recently served as a consultant
for E! Entertainment Networks in their business and legal department.

As program manager,
Sanchez will oversee the expansion of programming capabilities, including
increased original programming initiatives and co-production opportunities for
the network and its digital community. Sanchez arrives at Sorpresa! after seven
years at Discovery Communications Latin America. Based in Miami, Sanchez will
report to Maria Badillo, the VP of programming.

“Having surpassed the
million subscriber milestone, we continue to focus our attention on bolstering
our programming capabilities and strengthening Sorpresa!’s affiliate
relationships; ultimately, increasing our audience base,” said Leonard
Firestone, Sorpresa!’s COO.

—By Ned Berke