Quiet Storm takes on Sci Fi Channel ad brief

The Sci Fi Channel has appointed Quiet Storm to handle an advertising brief, following a three-way pitch.

In the past, the channel has used a range of agencies including The Depot and Farm. The appointment does not affect the status of Rocket, which will continue to handle media planning and buying.

Quiet Storm will be responsible for advertising to promote the UK premières of US reality show Mad Mad House and the third series of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone. Marketing director Eleanor McBrien, who oversaw the pitch (MW July 1) says: “Fun, humour and universal themes are inherent in our programming. The work Quiet Storm will be undertaking will express those values through distinctly quirky marketing communications.”

The Sci Fi Channel was repositioned in April as a mainstream entertainment channel, in a move designed to attract a wider audience – in particular more women. It has also changed its marketing strategy: it now promotes individual shows in general entertainment magazines, rather than advertising its own brand in science-fiction titles.

The Sci Fi Channel has appointed former Jazz FM sponsorship and promotions manager Michael Holt as brand solutions manager. He will report to head of brand solutions Elizabeth Sheard and will be responsible for boosting revenue from non-spot creative sources.