As Discovery Communications readies to close its $14.6 billion purchase of Scripps Networks Interactive, the company on Thursday unveiled its new management team for the combined company.
Scripps’ programming and content head, Kathleen Finch, will become chief lifestyle brands officer, overseeing HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, Discovery Life, American Heroes Channel, Destination America, Great American Country and Lifestyle Digital Studios in the U.S.
Henry Schleiff will retain his role as group president for ID, Destination America and American Heroes Channel, while Howard Lee, current EVP of development & production for TLC and general manager of Discovery Life will serve as the new president and general manager for TLC and Discovery Life. Both will report to Finch.
In one of the bigger shakeups, Rich Ross, current group president of Discovery Channel and Science Channel will leave the company. Nancy Daniels, current president of TLC, will step into the new role of chief brand officer of Discovery & Factual, leading all aspects of Discovery Channel and Science Channel brands.
Another Scripps executive taking on a leadership role in the combined company is Jon Steinlauf, currently president of national ad sales and marketing, who will become chief U.S. advertising sales officer. Ben Price, president of U.S. ad sales for Discovery, and Leigh Brodsky, EVP of Discovery Global Enterprises will report to Steinlauf.
Discovery’s CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels will become CFO of the combined company, and Jean-Briac Perrette will continue in the role of president and CEO of Discovery Networks International.
Bruce Campbell, chief development, distribution and legal officer of Discovery; Adria Alpert Romm, chief human resources and global diversity officer for Discovery; David Leavy, chief corporate operations and communications officer; Susanna Dinnage, global president of the Animal Planet network in the U.S. and Animal Planet brand worldwide; Erik Logan, president of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network; Karen Leever, EVP and general manager of digital media U.S.; and Mike Lang, president of Discovery Networks International Digital & CEO TEN/MotorTrend will continue in those roles for the new company.
Discovery’s John Honeycutt will be the combined company’s CTO.
“Today’s announcement is another major milestone in combining these two fantastic companies into a new kind of media company with the most trusted portfolio of real life entertainment brands in the world,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery, in a statement. “Upon closing, each division will have a best-in-class leader focused on quickly integrating the combined teams to create new ways for advertisers and distributors to reach highly targeted audiences at scale; capturing operating efficiencies across both companies; and driving innovation to continue telling great stories and nourishing our passionate, loyal superfans around the world across every consumer screen, service and platform.”
Discovery said Scripps executives who are not assuming roles in the post-acquisition company will participate in the integration process following close to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Discovery this week announced it received clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for its proposed cash-and-stock purchase of the Food Network and HGTV owner. The deal is still subject to review in Ireland and other customary closing conditions, but is expected to close by the end of the first quarter this year.
