DNI Sets Up New Management Structures for European Businesses

LONDON/WARSAW: Discovery Networks International (DNI) has put in place a new senior management structure in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, organizing the operation geographically into two businesses that group those markets in similar stages of development.

The Western Europe operation covers 16 markets, including the U.K., Germany, Southern Europe, Nordic and Benelux and is led by Dee Forbes, the executive VP for Discovery Networks UK & Western Europe. It will continue to be run from the London headquarters and has regional offices in Italy, Spain, Benelux, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

Susanna Dinnage is now the general manager for the U.K.; Jan Andreassen is general manager for the Nordics; Jochem De Jong is general manager for Benelux; Magnus Kastner is general manager for Germany; and Marinella Soldi is general manager for Southern Europe. Dan Korn becomes the VP and head of programming; Simon Downing is the VP and head of marketing communications; Fulvia Nicoli is the senior VP and head of research and insight; Chris Shaw is the VP of ad-sales; Caleb Weinstein is the VP and head of distribution; and Sarah Farley is the director of corporate communications.

Forbes said: “This new business structure supports Discovery’s ambitions to create a global content centric business while aligning markets at similar stages of development. We have put together talented senior management teams that will help us realize our creative and business ambitions for the future.”

The Eastern Europe operation is responsible for ten brands in 99 markets, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Russia, Middle East and Africa. The business is led by Kasia Kieli, the executive VP of Discovery Networks Eastern Europe and will have corporate centers in Warsaw and London, alongside local offices in Russia, Romania, Hungary and Czech Republic.

The senior management team for Eastern Europe has been named as: Phillip Luff serving as acting general manager for Central Europe; Paul Welling as head of channels; and Fulvia Nicoli and the VP and head of research and insight. Chris Shaw is the VP of ad-sales; Caleb Weinstein is the VP and head of distribution and acting general manager for emerging markets; and Jon Bennett is the director of corporate communications.

Kieli commented: “With a mix of mature and high-growth markets for pay-TV throughout Europe our new geographic alignment and talented leadership team will provide Discovery with a great opportunity to bolster its European business and drive growth in the region.”