About
On Demand Weekly (ODW) is the first and only online publication and email newsletter dedicated to the rising Video On Demand (VOD) consumer market. With so many VOD programming options available to the digital cable subscriber, the messaging and choices can be confusing. ODW simplifies it by offering an online destination and free email newsletter to help consumers make decisions on what to watch on VOD.
On Demand Weekly was founded in 2009 in Silicon Valley by Britt Bensen and Doug Turner, two former marketing executives who first met at Miramax Films during the independent film hey day in the mid ‘90s. Known for recognizing the next wave in consumer behavior throughout their careers, Britt and Doug have 20+ years of experience, industry ties and a great enthusiasm for TV & Film.
74% of all TV viewers consult some kind of guide before watching their selection. ODW looks to tap into this information hungry demographic.
Let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you.
Press
Who's Down With VOD?
VOD e-newsletter Launches
Founders
Britt Bensen Co Founder
Britt is a co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of On Demand Weekly. He is the former head of Affiliate Marketing and VOD for Sundance Channel. Prior to Sundance Chanel, Britt worked for Miramax Films and BMI. He currently resides in the SF Bay Area and is a big SF Giants fan
Doug Turner Co Founder
Doug is a co-founder of On Demand Weekly, Doug brings his talents to Bay Area after his beginning his career at Miramax Films and running marketing at Dennis Publishing’s Stuff and Maxim magazines. When not overseeing PR and the Movies On Demand category for ODW, he is spending as much time as he can with his wife and their two young daughters.
Editorial
Lorisa Bates
Lorisa Bates reviews horror and thriller movies for On Demand Weekly. She loves working in the television industry as Programming Executive in New York City and continues to pursue her writing in film.
Lindsay Felcyn
Lindsay Felcyn covers new movies on demand for On Demand Weekly from sunny Seattle. Prior, she was a Director of Marking at Miramax Films in New York City, where she focused primarily on the Academy Awards campaign. Prior to Miramax, Felcyn was a Director of Development at Boardwalk Entertainment.
Cynthia Kane
Cynthia Kane reviews documentaries for On Demand Weekly. She is a writer and Sr Programming Manager for [ ITVS], overseeing the International Initiative for funding in their SF office. Prior she's had many incarnations from actor to writer to producer. She co-created DOCday on Sundance Channel
Chris Claro
Chris Claro reviews Independent Films for On Demand Weekly. He is a former Director of Promotion for Sundance Channel and now works as a writer, producer, and media educator in New York. He is a regular contributor to dvdverdict.com and contributor to the Eyes and Ears section of huffingtonpost.com.
Sky McCarthy
Sky McCarthy is a recent Stanford graduate and major television enthusiast currently working in New York City. Sky digs deep to cover the music on demand category for On Demand Weekly.
Sean McPhillps
Sean McPhillips reviews film & TV for On Demand Weekly. He is a former VP, Acquisitions for Miramax Films. He works as programmer for the Furman Film Series and the inaugural Gold Coast International Film Festival (debuts 6/11) On Long Island, NY. As a writer/director his short films have played in festivals around the world.
Adam Schartoff
Adam Schartoff is film journalist for several film-related web sites as well as Media Editor for WestView, a downtown NYC newspaper. Adam is On Demand Weekly’s resident interviewer. He lives in Brooklyn.
Amy Slotnick
Amy Slotnick works as an independent producer and freelance consultant to film financing start-ups in New York City. Previously, she was a Senior VP of Production at Miramax Films. Amy reviews new independent films for On Demand Weekly.
Jean Tait
Jean Tait writes about the best of Premium TV On Demand for On Demand Weekly. She is the Director of Programming for the Connecticut Film Festival, Jean has programmed for the Jacksonville Film Festival and Sundance Channel. Jean makes New York City her home.
T.Tara Turk
T Tara writes the “VOD Hidden Gem” column for On Demand Weekly. She is a writer living in LA, her work having appeared on the stages of Ensemble Studio Theatre Company, the Kennedy Center, on screen in various film festivals and on the page in anthologies including "X24".
John Werner
John Werner reviews docs for guys fpr On Demand Weekly. John Werner is a screenwriter. He also directs, produces and edits documentaries and TV specials. You can find him at www.howlatthemoon.tv. John lives in Montclair, NJ.
Advisory Board
Larry Aidem
Larry Aidem joined RayV as President & CEO in September 2009. Previously, he was president of Rainbow Ventures, a unit of Cablevision where he was responsible for identifying strategic business opportunities for Rainbow Media and each of its cutting-edge, multi-platform brands including: AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. Prior to joining Rainbow, Mr. Aidem served for 11 years as president and chief executive officer of Sundance Channel LLC. In addition to his ongoing responsibility for all of the networks business and creative activity, Mr. Aidem worked closely with the Channels three owners (NBC Universal, CBS and Robert Redford) on strategy development including the successful sale of the Channel to Cablevision in May 2008.
Edward Burns
Edward Burns gained international recognition for his first feature film The Brothers McMullen, which won the 1995 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury prize. Burns continued to write, direct, star in and produce his films, including She’s The One, Sidewalks of New York, and Purple Violets. He also has acted in blockbuster hits such as Saving Private Ryan and 27 Dresses. His most recent film, Nice Guy Johnny, the darling of the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, was released on October 26, 2010. A pioneer for independent filmmakers, Burns continues to innovate in this category, premiering Purple Violets exclusively on iTunes and more recently, releasing Nice Guy Johnny via a multi-platform digital distribution plan. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
Doug Pray
Doug Pray is best known for his critically acclaimed and award winning feature-length documentary films about American subcultures. His work includes "Art & Copy" a film about advertising which premiered at Sundance 2009, “Surfwise” the amazing odyssey of the Paskowitz surfing family, “Big Rig” a film about long-haul truck drivers, “Infamy,” a portrait of the lives of six notorious graffiti writers, “Scratch,” about hip-hop DJs, and, “Hype!,” about the early ‘90s Seattle music scene. Doug was born in Denver, Colorado, grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, has a BA in sociology from Colorado College, and an MFA from UCLA's School of Film and Television. He resides in Los Angeles.
Graham Leggat (1960–2011)
Our friend, colleague and Advisory Board member Graham Leggat (Executive Director of San Francisco Film Society), passed away August 25, 2011. It is a loss not just to ODW, but to SF, the film community and his family. Below is a link to words honoring Graham at his memorial service. Remembering Graham Leggat at the Palace of Fine Arts: Peter Coyote's Address
