Cablevision Systems (News - Alert) Corporation, one of the nation's leading media and entertainment companies, has appointed Lisa Rosenblum as executive vice president, government and public affairs.

Rosenblum, in her new profile will continue to serve as Cablevision’s chief government affairs executive and strategist overseeing all legislative, regulatory and public affairs matters companywide. She will report to Cablevision Chief Operating Officer Tom Rutledge.

Joining as executive vice president, Rosenblum, will be responsible for directing Cablevision’s local, state and federal government relations as well as all legislative, regulatory and policy matters for the company’s business units.

The various business units include: Cablevision’s Optimum-branded digital video, voice and high-speed Internet services; its Optimum Lightpath (News - Alert) commercial telecommunications services; the Rainbow Media national cable networks; Clearview Cinemas; and the company’s local media and programming assets, which consist of Newsday Media Group, News 12 Networks and MSG Varsity.

Cablevision’s nationally recognized education initiative; Power to Learn will also be managed by Rosenblum. Power to Learn's 'Triple Play (News - Alert) for Education' , using the company's state-of-the-art technology and resources, provides all K-12 schools in the communities Cablevision serves with free access to a full suite of digital video, voice and high-speed Internet services, as well as innovative online content.

In this initiative, more than 4,000 schools within the tri-state area participate.

Cablevision President and CEO James L. Dolan commented: “Lisa’s ability to effectively communicate and build support for Cablevision’s position on a number of regulatory and policy issues have helped drive the company’s efforts to ensure fair competition in its marketplace. We are fortunate to have such a seasoned professional in this important role and we are certain that, as executive vice president, her counsel will continue to be a tremendous asset as the company and our industry continue to evolve.”

Cablevision COO Tom Rutledge stated: “Lisa’s substantial knowledge of telecommunications policy issues and effective advocacy have played an invaluable role in Cablevision’s successful rollout of its video, voice and high-speed Internet services. This promotion recognizes the positive impact she has had on the company and the critical role we know she will play in furthering Cablevision’s position as one of the nation’s leading entertainment, media and telecommunications companies.”

 

Focusing on the regulatory framework to facilitate entry into the business and residential telephone and data market, Rosenblum in the year 1996, joined Cablevision as senior vice president of regulatory and legal affairs.

 

She has been responsible, more recently, as senior vice president of government and education, for overseeing legislative and regulatory strategy development and advocacy for Cablevision’s businesses; local franchising efforts; administration of the company's political action committees and contribution strategy; and the Power to Learn program.

 

The company's relations with local, state and federal government on a myriad of issues have been directed by her. In addition, she has also lead Cablevision's governmental efforts to ensure a level playing field for its telecommunications services, including WiFi (News - Alert). Rosenblum also coordinated government relations for Madison Square Garden and its businesses until the recent spin off of the company on February 9.

 

Before joining Cablevision, Rosenblum worked as commissioner and deputy chair of the New York Public Service Commission where she focused on telecommunications and competitive policies.

 

In addition, Rosenblum has also served as an advisor on telecommunications policy in the Czech Republic and Poland as part of a state department delegation; as a contributor to the 1994 National Governor’s Association Report on telecommunications; and as an editor and coordinator of the Governor’s “New York Telecommunications Exchange Report” in 1993.

 

Rosenblum also served as first chair and a member of the board of directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company and also as chair of the Cable Telecommunications Association of New York. In recognition of her athletic achievement, she also received NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in the year 2000.

 

She holds a J.D. from the Connecticut School of Law and a B.A., cum laude, from Yale University.

 

In related news, Cablevision Systems Corporation has announced the immediate return of WABC to Cablevision. The WABC Channel 7 has returned to Cablevision's 3 million New York area homes.