SCVTV, the Santa Clarita Valley’s only local television station, announced this month the formation of a nine-member advisory board, a first for the nonprofit organization. The volunteer panel will advise the station on its marketing efforts.

The board includes:

* Dr. Dianne Van Hook, chancellor of the Santa Clarita Community College District;

* Fred Arnold of American Family Funding and SCV Chamber of Commerce board chairman;

* Hunt Braly, partner at Poole & Shaffery, LLP;

* Chris Clark, chief development officer for the Tierra del Sol Foundation;

* Tom Dierckman, managing member of M6 Advisors, LLC, and retired senior vice president of Newhall Land;

* Don Fleming, co-owner of Valencia Acura;

* Bob Kellar, Santa Clarita Mayor;

* Kathy Norris, president and CEO of the Valley Industry Association;

* Rosalind Wayman, field deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich; and

* Michael R. Mazzetti, CFO of SCVTV.

The board was founded and facilitated by Jill Mellady, president of Mellady Direct Marketing, and will meet monthly.

“Having an advisory board represents an important next step for SCVTV,” station CEO Leon Worden said. “These members represent a number of the valley’s interests, and their insights and advice will be an asset to our mission to continue providing high-quality, original programming for the community.”

During its first meeting on Aug. 1, the board laid out several goals for its first year:

* Provide input to assist the staff in developing SCVTV’s brand as the top source for community news and information;

* Analyze and advise SCVTV regarding the best ways to strategically leverage its status as a nonprofit organization;

* Utilize the networks and influence of individual members to assist the staff leadership of SCVTV in developing new partnerships between SCVTV and other community entities;

* Support SCVTV as it works to optimize the synergy between the TV operation and its other resources, including SCVTV.com, SCVNews.com and SCVHistory.com;

* Identify financial opportunities to help SCVTV expand its resources.

“SCVTV is an amazing resource for the community, and we need to do our part to increase awareness of everything they do for the SCV,” Van Hook said. “The board can be a viable resource in helping SCVTV to expand its reach and identify strategies to increase the financial support for the station, and position it to go to the next level in what they can do for our valley.”

In 2009, Time Warner Cable ceased providing production support for Channel 20, as allowed by a 2007 law. At that point, a joint-powers authority – comprising representatives from the city, the Santa Clarita Community College District, the William S. Hart Union High School District and the Saugus, Newhall, Castaic and Sulphur Springs school districts – was formed to provide oversight for the station.

Since 2009, SCVTV has increased its focus on original, local programming. In addition to coverage of breaking news and local events, the station’s highlight programs include Newsmaker of the Week, a 30-minute interview show with individuals at the local, state and national level; SCV Today, a one-hour morning talk show; and an array of local sports and music coverage.

In addition to its TV presence, the station has seen strong response to its online activity. In June 2013 alone, SCVTV.com received 3.8 million total hits from more than 100,000 unique users, while SCVNews.com had 8.1 million hits from nearly 150,000 unique users.

About SCVTV    

A 501c3 nonprofit organization, SCVTV can be seen on Time Warner Cable Channel 20, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and streaming online at SCVTV.com. The station also operates the channels for the William S. Hart Union High School District, the city of Santa Clarita, the Santa Clarita Community College District and the Saugus, Newhall, Castaic and Sulphur Springs school districts. SCVTV also provides video production and other media services to schools, nonprofit organizations and businesses.