Country Music And Lifestyle Network Circle Staffs Up

Pictured: Geoff DeFrance, Teresa George, Evan Haiman, Drew Reifenberger

Following yesterday’s announcement of a programming slate and launch date set for Jan. 1, 2020, Circle has added executives to lead its country music and lifestyle network.

Geoff DeFrance joins as Senior Vice President, Digital; Evan Haiman as Senior Vice President, Content and Teresa George as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships. All three executives are based in Nashville and report directly to Drew Reifenberger, General Manager of Circle Media.

DeFrance, Senior Vice President, Digital, Circle Media, will be leading the network’s digital subscription video on demand product strategy, and has more than 17 years of experience building innovative products in the media, entertainment and ad technology verticals. His career includes time at Yahoo!, Motor Trend Group and Kelley Blue Book; most recently he built and scaled Motor Trend Group’s SVOD/OTT platform, which was acquired by Discovery Communications, Inc.

Haiman, Senior Vice President, Content, Circle Media, is responsible for the network’s content strategy, development, programming and operations for the network and streaming service, and brings 30 years of experience in the production sphere, including work with MLB, HBO and Warner Bros. Most recently, Haiman was VP, Development, Programming and Production for AXSTV.

George, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Circle Media, is responsible for brand partnerships, affiliate relations, public relations, marketing, special events and music industry relations. George has held executive roles at the Country Music Association and most recently at the Academy of Country Music. She has also created artist partnerships and strategies for brands such as Walmart, 7-UP and Chrysler.

As previously announced, Circle will launch with 16 original shows. Available on Gray Television, the network will air in more than 50 markets, as well as on stations in markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tampa and Detroit through a separate distribution agreement with CBS Television Stations.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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