Cablevision EVP Of Advanced Ads Frey Leaves As Exec Flight Continues

Barry Frey, executive vice president of Cablevision Systems' advanced platform sales, is the latest high-ranking executive to depart the MSO.

Frey primarily was in charge of the Advanced Platform Group in the cable operator's ad sales division, overseeing the development of interactive TV, video-on-demand, online and linear advertising capabilities. Among other breakthroughs, he pioneered the concept of the "Power 30" ITV spot to drive viewers to long-form VOD channels.

A Cablevision spokesman confirmed that Frey is no longer with the company and said he left "recently."

Frey's departure follows the exit last month of David Kline, president and chief operating officer of media sales. Kline was replaced by Greg McCastle, previously senior vice president at AT&T Services in charge of advertising.

Frey joined Cablevision in 2005. He previously served in senior sales and marketing positions with USA Networks, Crown Media and the National Basketball Association. At Crown Media, as senior vice president overseeing global sales for the Hallmark Channel, Frey managed the division that created and sold television's first digital product-placement agreements.

Cablevision's senior management team has been decimated in recent months.

On Tuesday, former Cablevision chief operating officer Tom Rutledge -- who left the MSO in December and is now CEO of Charter Communications -- hired his former second-in-command at Cablevision, John Bickham, as COO of the St. Louis-based operator. In April, Rutledge hired former Cablevision EVP of marketing Jonathan Hargis.

Other Cablevision executives that have departed in recent months include John Trierweiler, EVP of product management; EVP of corporate technology and engineering Jim Blackley; and EVP of consumer operations Kathleen "Kip" Mayo.