NBCU Hires UKTV Executive for British Channels Operation

LONDON, July 9: Laurence Dawkin-Jones is leaving UKTV to
serve as the U.K. managing director of NBC Universal’s global networks
division, starting in the fall.

In this newly created position based in London, Dawkin-Jones
will be responsible for setting the growth strategy and leading all commercial
and business development initiatives forNBCU’s networks in the U.K., which
include SCI FI Channel, Hallmark Channel and Diva TV. He will develop and
implement growth strategies across programming, marketing, on-air presentation,
publicity, research, budgets and planning, affiliate sales and marketing,
technical operations, advertising sales and all other commercial efforts.
Martin Heaton-Cooper, the acting channels managing director in the U.K., will
provide support to Dawkin-Jones.

Dawkin-Jones will be one of four regional managing directors
for the global networks division, joining Francois Roux for Europe, the Middle East
and Africa, Raymund Miranda in the Asia Pacific and Steve Patscheck in Latin
America. All report to Roma Khanna, the president of global networks and
digital initiatives at NBC Universal.

Dawkin-Jones joins NBCU from a position as commercial
executive director for UKTV. He was part of a team responsible for the
strategic direction and management of UKTV’s nine-channel portfolio.
Previously, he served in roles at Discovery Networks, Channel 4 International
and BBC Worldwide.

Khanna said of the appointment: “I am thrilled that Laurence
has joined the team as one of our key regional leaders. The U.K. is a highly
sophisticated and complex market and Laurence's considerable experience will be
an important asset to the growth of NBC Universal’s channel business in
this important region. I am pleased to welcome him as an excellent addition to
our global team.”

—By Jackie Stewart