NSO Divisions

by Halcyon Svor-Bernstein

In early November, the Communications Association of NSO visited New York City for a rare opportunity to meet with the marketing teams of Comedy Central and Food Network. On day one of the two-day trip, the group met with Peter Risafi, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing and Executive Creative Director for Comedy Central, along with his team of marketing experts. The group was given a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the marketing team is utilizing branding and various promotional techniques to publicize a new series entitled The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show which is set to debut in January. Following the informational session, the creative team answered questions and explained the educational and professional backgrounds that led
to their employment at Comedy Central.

The following day, the group was off to the studios of Food Network where they met with Executive Chef Robert Bleifer and various members of the production staff in a test kitchen where all of the meals featured on the Network programs are prepared. Culinary Purchasing Manager David Mechlowicz, a 2004 graduate of J&W’s Providence campus who started his career at Food Network as an intern, spoke to the group and couldn’t say enough about the importance of hands-on experience while completing one’s studies. Susan Stockton, Vice President of Culinary, then gave the group a tour of the set of Emeril Live after which they received their admittance to the show’s taping. The highlight of the trip was Emeril LaGasse beginning his show with a friendly recognition of the students, all of whom had worn their J&W T-shirts. The students got to taste the fabulous meal Emeril had demonstrated and were asked to stay after the show for a slice of his pecan pie.