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Evan Shapiro
Executive Vice President and General Manager, The Independent Film Channel (IFC)
As executive vice president and general manager of The Independent Film Channel (IFC), Evan Shapiro oversees the day-to-day operations of the network and directs all efforts as it relates to program development, production, scheduling and marketing. His top priorities include strategically positioning IFC to respond to the rapidly evolving programming delivery technologies, industry trends and issues critical to its audience.
Mr. Shapiro joined IFC in 2004 as senior vice president of marketing. Since his arrival, Mr. Shapiro has had a tremendous impact on the network, including ambitious programming and marketing initiatives, as well as new extensions of the IFC brand.
Under Mr. Shapiro’s leadership, IFC has significantly expanded its original programming slate. Critically acclaimed IFC series include “The Henry Rollins Show,” an uncensored approach to talk show programming; and “The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman,” a scripted comedy series about a struggling LA screenwriter. IFC’s feature documentary slate is breaking new ground with films including This Film Is Not Yet Rated, a controversial expose on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings system; and Yo Soy Boricua Pa’que Tu Lo Sepas! (I’m Boricua, Just So You Know!), a documentary by Rosie Perez about the controversial history between the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Some of IFC’s largest-ever marketing campaigns, including Film Fanatic Fridays and Pulp Month, were launched by Mr. Shapiro. He was also the key architect of the network’s re-brand to “tv,uncut.” In addition, Mr. Shapiro spearheaded the development of several key IFC initiatives that further extend the brand and the network’s impact on the communities it serves. In 2005, the network launched a nationwide standards-based education public affairs initiative called IFC Film School Curriculum. In 2006, the network unveiled IFC Media Lab, a web/TV integrated program that provides filmmakers a destination for posting their independent films online. IFC’s newest undertaking is the IFC Free Film Fest, a state-of-the-art, multimedia 10-city independent film tour. Mr. Shapiro has also aggressively increased IFC sponsorship activities, including deals with Red Bull, Heineken, SKYY Vodka, Target, Volkswagen and [yellow tail]. He also publishes a blog at http://ifcblog.ifctv.com/evan.
IFC has received a number of key honors under Mr. Shapiro’s leadership. In 2005, the IFC brand was named a Brand Builder by BrandWeek. In 2006, IFC accolades included a Myers Media Innovation & Creativity Award for their Target Stores Cinema Red Mondays campaign; a gold Reggie Award for their Pulp Month campaign; and a silver Mark Award for IFC Media Lab. This year, IFC earned one of the most prestigious awards in electronic media, a Peabody Award for "Beyond Borders: Personal Stories from a Small Planet."
Prior to joining IFC, Mr. Shapiro served as senior vice president of marketing for Court TV, where his campaigns for “Forensic Files” garnered the network several top awards. Mr. Shapiro formed a marketing agency, FourFront, in 1996, which he ran until joining Court TV. With clients such as HBO, Court TV, A&E, Microsoft and Universal Pictures, he developed marketing campaigns, events and guerrilla strategies for some of the world's greatest brands. He was also integrally involved with the creation of countless Broadway enterprises such as The Lion King, Rent, Chicago, Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk and John Leguizamo's Freak. Before FourFront, Mr. Shapiro got his first major career lift as the director of marketing for the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival, where he re-launched the venerable theater's brand after 40 years and developed a new look and image for Shakespeare in the Park (FREE WILL!) and Noise/Funk.
Mr. Shapiro is a member of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and PROMAX. He sits on the boards of several non-profit organizations, such as New York Theater Ballet and the National Guild of Community Schools for the Arts. Mr. Shapiro served for four years as an adjunct professor of marketing at NYU and lectures throughout the year for Columbia Business School, Stern School of Business, Fordham University and other business and marketing schools nationwide.
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