Michael Benson was named executive vice president, Marketing, for ABC Entertainment Group in February 2007. In this position he oversees, along with Marla Provencio, all marketing activities for ABC’s Primetime and Late-Night lineup, while also establishing the tone and brand for the ABC Television Network. His duties include oversight and strategic planning, creative development and implementation of all on-air and off-air marketing, advertising and promotional campaigns for all ABC Entertainment programming, including scripted and reality series, alternative programming, movies and specials. He began his employment at ABC Entertainment as senior vice president, Advertising and Promotion, in June 1998.

In addition to being responsible for the launch of ABC’s “Modern Family,” “V,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” among other ABC programming, Mr. Benson and Ms. Provencio have created a variety of award-winning, highly-recognized and innovative marketing campaigns. Together, they launched the television industry’s first multi-platform, brand identity and viewer-navigation system through the “ABC Start Here” initiative, and they have led the industry with groundbreaking marketing strategies and tactics, including multi-cultural campaigns and the creation and development of multi-platform marketing strategies, alternative reality games and multi-level engagement activities for the hit show “Lost” as well as many other ABC programs.

For his creative endeavors on behalf of ABC, Mr. Benson received an Emmy Award in 2009, was named an Entertainment Marketer of the Year in 2008, 2007 and 2005 by Ad Age and, in 2000, by Brandweek magazine. He was also recipient of the Promax Brand Builder Award in 2004 and recipient of the Campaigns of Distinction Award in 2004 and 2007. Mr. Benson and Ms. Provencio were named one of the top Hispanic marketers of the year by AdWeek’s Marketing y Medios Magazine in 2005.

Mr. Benson joined ABC from VH1/MTV Networks, where he’d been senior vice president, Promotion & Program Planning, since January 1996. He was instrumental in redefining the network’s position as a cable music channel, creating a new brand position for the channel through on-air promotion and the launch of significant original programming. He programmed and launched the series “Behind the Music,” “Pop Up Video,” “Legends,” “Stortyellers” and “The Rock & Roll Picture Show.” His work helped to reinvent music on television for an adult audience and contributed to significant ratings gains for the cable network.

Prior Mr. Benson served as director of communications for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, and held various positions at WCCO-TV, the CBS owned and operated affiliate in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mr. Benson currently serves as chairman on the Promax/BDA Board of Directors. He is an adjunct professor for Boston University, teaching entertainment marketing though a program in Los Angeles.

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