Sarah Barnett

Executive Vice President & General Manager

Sundance Channel

As executive vice president and general manager, Sarah Barnett is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Sundance Channel and directs all efforts as they relate to program development, creative strategy scheduling and marketing both on- and off-channel. She was named to this post in 2009.

Under Barnett’s leadership, Sundance Channel has launched the Peabody Award-winning series Brick City, Be Good Johnny Weir about Olympian and cultural sensation Johnny Weir, Man Shops Globe featuring tastemaker Keith Johnson and the multi-platform fashion brand Full Frontal Fashion. She is redefining this marquee brand as a timely and vital rebooted arts channel.

Prior to this role, Barnett served as senior vice president of marketing for Sundance Channel and oversaw all strategic and creative marketing for the brand. Her responsibilities included oversight of consumer and trade marketing, as well as advertising for Sundance Channel and SundanceChannel.com. Barnett led all creative campaigns and branding development and execution for the network, including strategic partnerships and all channel creative expressions. She also spearheaded Sundance Channel’s pioneering branded entertainment short-form series and sponsorship creative executions.

Since starting at the Channel in late 2005, Barnett has been responsible for such high-profile multiplatform creative campaigns as The Green, 31 Days of Sundance, Iconoclasts, Live From Abbey Road and Spectacle: Elvis Costello With…

Barnett joined Sundance Channel from BBC America where she served as vice president of on-air. During her four year tenure, Barnett led BBC America’s award-winning creative team and launched a successful brand refresh, packaged their VOD brand and was responsible for the development of the network’s show packaging and branded blocks.

Before BBC America, Barnett spent 12 years with the BBC in London, where she directed and produced for both BBC radio and television and led the on-air creative teams for several BBC channels.

Barnett earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history of art from the University of Warwick in West Midlands, United Kingdom.