• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, July 12, 2007

USA Network has gone to Madison Avenue for a new top marketing executive, tapping a Euro RSCG creative director to serve as vice president of brand creative. Jason Holzman, who worked on campaigns for Universal Studios at the agency (part of NBC Universal like USA) will report to Chris McCumber, senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy, in the post.

The addition comes as USA is becoming an increasing growth engine for NBC Universal as the NBC network struggles. In a recent investor presentation, CEO Jeff Zucker said NBCU's entertainment channels--which also include Sci Fi and Bravo--account for a third of the company's profits, which he said would be $3.1 billion this year.

USA is launching arguably its most high-profile programming ever this fall with first-run episodes of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," sure to be the subject of an aggressive marketing effort with Holzman intimately involved. He'll also look for ways to evolve USA's "Characters Welcome" brand ID, NBCU said.

McCumber said Holzman "will bring an entirely unique flavor to our ever growing and expanding brand."

At Euro, he helped develop campaigns for Universal films as well as ExxonMobil, New Balance and Volvo.

USA finished the most recent season as cable's top network in the key 18-to-49 demo.