Discovery Ups Hollinger to COO

SILVER SPRING, January 4: Discovery Communications has
promoted Mark Hollinger, a 16-year veteran of the company, to the newly created
position of COO, reporting to president and CEO David Zaslav.

In the expanded position, Hollinger will oversee Discovery
Studios, including the Discovery Films unit and Discovery’s internal content
production operations. The COOs from each of Discovery’s businesses will become
functional reports to Hollinger as part of a strategy to strengthen
coordination and controls across the company.

Hollinger’s promotion is an expansion of his current duties,
in which he oversees Discovery Networks International and Discovery Commerce,
and manages corporate operations including information technology, media
services, administration, business affairs, corporate communications, corporate
marketing and research, as well as production management. He is also overseeing
Discovery’s legal, government affairs and standards and practices while the
company searches for a new general counsel.

Hollinger joined Discovery Communications in 1991 as VP and
deputy general counsel. In 1994, he was named acting general manager for
Discovery Channel Asia, and worked out of Hong Kong coordinating the launch of
Discovery Channel Asia. In 1995 Hollinger was appointed VP of international
business development in addition to his role as VP and deputy general counsel.
He became Discovery’s general counsel and was also given responsibility for
Discovery’s business affairs group in 1996. He assumed responsibility for the
production management department in 1999 and was named executive VP of
corporate operations in 2001. From 2003 to 2007, Hollinger was senior executive
VP of corporate operations and general counsel. Most recently, he served as
president of global businesses and operations, as well as general counsel.

“Today’s announcement codifies what has been the reality for
a long time: Mark is the operational leader of this company,” said Zaslav.
“Mark is one of the most talented and innovative strategists across the media
industry and embodies the values, integrity and passion at the heart of why
Discovery is such a trusted and reliable organization. As Chief Operating
Officer, Mark will lead our efforts to operate Discovery in the most efficient
and effective manner possible, and support a strong creative culture that
produces the highest quality nonfiction content. His fluency in the domestic
and international businesses and his overall experience will be critical as
Discovery prepares for the next step in our long-term growth strategy.”

“This is a significant time in Discovery’s history, and I
could not be more excited for the opportunity to continue supporting the
company’s success and growth,” said Hollinger. “David Zaslav is a dynamic
leader with a clear vision for Discovery, and I am honored to be a partner in
working with him and the entire senior management team to further strengthen
Discovery’s leadership position, as well as the core values that always have
been part of the company’s mission.”

—By Ned Berke