William Graff Email & Phone Number

Fort Lauderdale, Fl, Us

-Designed, launched and programmed beIN SPORTS XTRA, the most widely distributed OTT sports network in North America.-Negotiated for and licensed sponsor-driven content for linear & OTT Networks.-Launched successful Combat Sports and Motors blocks on formerly soccer-centric service.

New York, Us

Kismet Media Group was a talent, brand, management and content development company based in NYC and Miami. Kismet focused on the creation and development of talent-driven original content with leading brands, media companies and production partners. • Hired by President of Visimax Media to create and build multi-platform Network targeted to identifiable under-served audience. Came up with the "Famously Undiscovered" principal for FAV-TV, working with top-level Marketing, Distribution, and Sponsorship consultants. High-value, low-cost platform was designed to stem cord-cutters, just beginning to make their presence felt in 2014. • Hired by the President of The Broadway Channel to expand their footprint to other media, Kismet created and sold "Hot for the Holidays," a syndicated hour sold to local broadcast stations covering 80% of the US in 2016. The special's success led to a second iteration in 2016; also created template for The Broadway Channel OTT network.• Led editorial team for bi-lingual, multi-national network aimed at French-speaking Africa and ex-pats living in Europe. Sourced and negotiated for content, devised launch schedule for new service offering premium entertainment spanning talk-shows, movies, music, and documentaries, uniting the very best of Black culture on a single platform.

Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, New Mexico, Us

Hired by and reported to Owner /President. Built program schedule; evaluated & negotiated for series, specials and movie co-productions and acquisitions.• Increased HH rating by 28% for Prime and by 21% for Total Day in Q4 2012 versus Q4 2011.• Increased HH rating by 64% for Prime and by 41% for Total Day in Q1 2013 versus Q1 2012.• Prime year-over-year growth beat AMC, A&E and FX and was just below TNT.

After HD Department was eliminated at Discovery International, I founded a firm to facilitate business for TV producers and distributors in Acquisitions, Distribution, Co-Pro Financing and Development. Also provided Scheduling, Program Development and Acquisitions strategies to new and established program platforms across all visual media. Biggest client was BBC Latin America: Hired by EVP/GM as acting VP Programming, reporting directly to her. Accomplishments at the BBC included:• Setting ratings records for BBC Entertainment and CBeebies. Developing and launching new HD channels, including BBC World HD. • Collaborating with Ad Sales by devising and scheduling a block of auto-related series, which was sponsored by a key advertiser in Mexico City, BBC's top market. Dubbed "The Engine Block", it increased key Men demos by 275% and Adults by 125% over previous year. • Replacing the weekend lineup with 6-hour blocks of key series, which increased Adult viewership by 200%, and young women by 300%, 3Q 2012 over 3Q 2011.At the same time, I was hired by independent factual producers to help craft their projects for the needs of specific networks. Accomplishments included:• Forging co-production deals for clients with Discovery Networks, National Geographic Channel and Smithsonian Networks.• Cementing one of the first “triple-play” digital deals for International clients CROP TV (Spain) and ZED (France.) Content included in those deals continues to generate revenue since 2012.

New York, Us

Led Program Development, Production, Acquisitions and Scheduling for flagship HD Networks in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Created, launched and programmed new HD networks in Europe, Asia and Latin America. • Invented a new level of broadcast rights: “Non-standard HD.” Faced with a limited budget to meet exponentially increasing corporate mandates, I worked with Legal to create a low-cost, interstitial revenue stream for Producers/Distributors, augmenting the rights they were already licensing: Standard TV (Broadcast) and Non-Standard (Cable/Satellite)• Launched Discovery HD Europe and Discovery HD Asia on time and under budget.• During this time, also served as VP Programming for Animal Planet International. Created collaborative interface processes among the regional networks to coordinate co-production and scheduling strategies.

When a management re-structure at Discovery eliminated my position, I launched my own strategic, independent firm to deliver Acquisitions strategy and implementation, strategic program scheduling and planning, and sponsorship development guidance. Winning projects included:• Strategic Adviser on acquisitions for Fox Cable Networks.• Business Planning and Channel Development for Zoom, the bespoke HD Satellite service owned by Cablevision.

New York, Us

Hired by SVP/GM to lead Network Programming, as well as ensure all Development enhances the current lineup. With green-light responsibility, I initiated and supported development projects leading to significant ratings growth. Created Partnership deals for Ad Sales to sell in Upfront. These client-specific partnerships led to increase in media commitments by up to 300%. • Achieved double-digit Household and Demo growth in all key Dayparts.• Reinvented Mutual Of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, generating the largest entitlement deal in the history of Discovery Communications. Client doubled commitment in Year 2 for $12M. Series continued for 10 years on Animal Planet.• Launched deal with Kia for $1M sponsorship of “King of the Jungle” competition series.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

WPIXHired by EVP/GM to whom I reported directly. Responsible for annual corporate Strategic and Operating Plans depicting all Programming activity for the next five years. In addition, I:• Negotiated program acquisitions and renewals. • Created individual Contingency Plans for 50 NY Yankees games each year.• Devised series and movie broadcast schedules that increased ratings and revenue. • Helped propel station into third place in New York City from 1995 through 1998 broadcast seasons, beating CBS and Fox.

WJZY/WFVTHired by EVP/GM, to whom I directly reported. Responsible for all areas of Programming, including negotiating for syndicated series and movies, as well as local sports. Won broadcast rights to the Charlotte Hornets.• Propelled WJZY to the highest rated US Independent broadcast station for M18-34. • Dominated Kid and Teen Ratings with independent syndication, beating Disney Afternoon competition four years straight.• Oversaw WJZY's transition from market-leading Indie to #1 UPN Affiliate for M18-49. • Launched new Independent station for Capitol in Charlotte, WFVT, earning a 3 HH Rating in Prime out of the box.

Hired by SVP/GM, to whom I directly reported. Responsible for all aspects of Programming, including Negotiations, Scheduling and local Program Development. Enacted transition from Independent to Fox Affiliate:• Led station to market dominance in young demos. • Oversaw development of locally produced Kids Club and Teen dance programs, as well as Memphis State Basketball broadcasts. • Often beat VHF Network Affiliated in Prime with Movie blocks targeted to specific tastes of the DMA.