In what he is calling the need to "create a lean and aggressive organization," Discovery's new CEO David Zaslav has eliminated some positions and brought other reponsibilities together under other certain managers.
The first position eliminated in the Discovery fold was the president and its current office holder Billy Campbell. Campbell has been with Discovery for five years and helped Discovery and TLC grow to double-digit ratings increases. The president-general manager David Abraham is also leaving in March, possibly related to the elimination of the president's position. His position remains in tact though and a replacement looked for immediately.
Another position eliminated in the company is Animal Planet Media general 
manager, currently held by Maureen Smith, who is also leaving the company. Her duties will be merged with president-general manager of Animal Planet Media and Discovery Kids Media's Marjorie Kaplan.
How Zaslav is structurig the company is to increase the responsiblities of Discovery's general manager's five major brands, and give them responsibilities of presidents.
As of now, Kaplan will be responsible for Animal Planet and Discovery Kids; Jane Root in now president-general manager of the Discovery and Science Channel; Len Tacconi will now serve as president of Discovery Health Media Enterprises; Pat Younge is now president-general manager of Discovery Travel Media; and TLC is searching for their new president.
"These leaders will assume additional authority over key business functions including production, marketing, new media, communications and research and will have dedicated brand support from advertising sales and business development," Zaslav said in his statement. "More direct control of these functions is an essential part of our strategy to empower managers in charge of the company's growth businesses. These network brand groups will become the primary creative engines across the company's TV and distribution platforms."
Remember to Sign up for my feed, bizzbite and digg this!
Comment Preview