• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, December 7, 2006

Ovation, the little-known cable arts channel slated for a re-launch next year, has tapped a new head of ad sales. Deborah Cuffaro takes over as senior vice president, ad sales, joining from rep firm National Cable Communications.

Ovation was purchased by a group of investors, including The Weinstein Co., earlier this year. The goal is to boost its visibility and distribution beyond 5 million homes. High culture--such as jazz, opera and theater--may be an unfilled programming niche, now that networks like Bravo and A&E, which once showcased these areas, have shifted to mass-appeal programming.

Cuffaro also logged time as a senior vice president at Rainbow, where her duties included some sales for Bravo (before it was sold to NBC). She will report to Ron Garfield, Ovation's COO. At NCC, she was vice president, business development.

She has also worked at Time Warner and in sales on the local level at stations in Florida and upstate New York.

Ovation, whose investors also include the Hubbard Media Group, which is behind the newly launched Reelz Channel, is expected to be re-launched in third quarter 2007. The network began 10 years ago, and has a presence in markets in New York, Chicago and Washington.