Animal Planet Taps Ex-ITV Studios America Exec

NEW YORK: Former ITV Studios America COO Patrice Andrews has been appointed as the general manager at Animal Planet.

In her new role, Andrews will oversee all aspects of programming, production, development and marketing for Animal Planet. She will also be responsible for the channel’s day-to-day operations. Andrews will begin her new position in mid-June. Based in New York, she will report to Rich Ross, the group president of Discovery, Animal Planet and Science Channel.

“Patrice is a consummate storyteller and creative leader,” said Ross. “Combining her love of production with her love of animals makes her the perfect general manager for Animal Planet.”

Andrews most recently served as chief operating officer for the east coast at ITV Studios America. She was responsible for the strategic course of the east coast division and had creative oversight of all development, pilot and series programming produced out of the New York office. During her 11 years with ITV, Andrews was responsible for the management and development of cable and syndicated series such as Room Raiders (MTV), The Jeremy Kyle Show (syndication), The First 48 (A&E), Rebel Gold (Discovery Channel), Four Weddings (TLC), Secret Space Escapes (Science Channel), The Bill Cunningham Show (syndication), Four Houses (TLC) and Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters (Animal Planet).

Prior to joining ITV, Andrews worked at A&E as executive producer of nonfiction programming and development. In that role, she was responsible for the creative management and supervision of original nonfiction programming, specials and miniseries. At A&E, Andrews oversaw production of Airline, the first new series from the network’s nonfiction division in 2004.