Former E! Exec Joins Discovery Digital Networks

LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO: Suzanne Kolb, the former president of E! Entertainment, has been appointed as the executive VP and general manager of Discovery Digital Networks, with immediate effect.

In her new role, Kolb will have oversight of the company’s portfolio of more than 70 web-native brands and series, original digital development, Discovery VR and social partnerships. She will split her time between Discovery’s Los Angeles and San Francisco offices and will report to Karen Leever, the executive VP and general manager of digital media.

Prior to joining Discovery Communications, Kolb was the president of E! Entertainment, where she oversaw the brand’s growth across platforms. At E!, Kolb launched hit franchises such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Chelsea Lately, Botched and Total Divas. She also greenlit the network’s first original scripted series, The Royals. Before that, Kolb served as the executive VP of marketing at The WB Television Network, where she developed marketing campaigns and advertising partnerships for Dawson’s Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, Pokémon and others.

“We are very fortunate to have Suzanne leading Discovery Digital Networks—networks that engage Millennials and offer meaningful opportunities for advertisers and partners wanting to reach them,” said Leever. “She is an accomplished entertainment executive and content champion, and I look forward to seeing DDN thrive under her leadership.”

“I love building culturally relevant, young adult content brands and businesses, and I am thrilled to join such a talented team to do just that at Discovery Digital Networks,” Kolb added. “Discovery Digital Networks offers some of the highest quality and most engaging content in digital today, and I see no limit to its potential to become the next great portfolio of brands within the Discovery family.”