McBrien, 31, reports to USN managing director Janet Goldsmith and heads a team of seven responsible for marketing Sci-Fi, the satellite and cable science fiction channel.
She replaces Deborah Fitzgerald, who has joined The Hospital, the state-of-the-art facility for the music, art and film industries,to head its marketing.
McBrien's brief will include development of creative partnerships and sponsorships between Sci-Fi and third parties. She will also oversee marketing campaigns behind key programming initiatives, including the recent high-profile campaign for the Headf**k strand featuring David Icke, and for The Dead Zone, a series based on a Stephen King book.
Sci-Fi has used Heresy, a digital spin-off from HHCL and Partners, for above-the-line work and Rocket for media. McBrien said that while she will still use Rocket, she will create a roster of agencies to handle above-the-line work on a project basis.
McBrien played a key role in the launch of U>direct, the first pay-per-view operator on Sky Digital.
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