Marjorie Kaplan to Lead Discovery’s International Content Strategy

SILVER SPRING/LONDON: Marjorie Kaplan has been tapped for a newly created role at Discovery Networks International as president of content.

Kaplan has been with Discovery Communications for nearly 20 years. She launched Discovery Kids, led Animal Planet and TLC, in addition to a number of other roles. She was also the interim head of Discovery Channel for a period. Now, Kaplan will be responsible for strategy, coordination and execution of all the division’s content and brand strategies across the entire portfolio, and on all platforms worldwide. She will report to JB Perrette, the president of Discovery Networks International, and relocate this October to Discovery’s international headquarters in London.

“There is no one more talented, dynamic and strategic to lead Discovery’s international content strategy than Marjorie Kaplan,” said David Zaslav, the president and CEO of Discovery Communications. “She has an unparalleled track record of developing breakthrough content across brands and demographics that travels well internationally, receives critical acclaim, and brings in big audiences. Marjorie also has a sharp eye for content that is genre- and format-busting, which should serve the company extremely well in this new position. Discovery’s international business is the company’s key differentiator, and I am excited to watch Marjorie take our global content engine to the next level.”
 
“Marjorie is one of the most respected leaders externally and internally as a fantastic collaborator, creative programmer and preferred partner to the production community,” added Perrette. “Our global content capability and expertise is our most important asset, and I am thrilled to have Marjorie’s immense talent to help drive our international content strategy.”
 
“I am excited to join the international leadership team and to partner with them on a global creative culture that generates brand-building content and ambitious intellectual property that can help Discovery soar in all of the 220 countries and territories where our brands are already strong,” said Kaplan.