C-SPAN Exec Tapped for Discovery Communications Board

SILVER SPRING: Susan M. Swain, co-CEO of multiplatform public affairs content distributor C-SPAN, has been appointed to the board of directors at Discovery Communications, effective in December.

At C-SPAN, Swain oversees content strategy and programming for the public affairs network’s three TV channels, radio stations and websites, as well as marketing and education outreach efforts. Since joining the company in 1982, she has held a number of on-air and leadership roles, including in editorial, production and corporate communications. She was named co-CEO in 2012 after serving as president and co-COO since 2006.

Swain is also an officer of National Cable Satellite Corporation, a trustee of the C-SPAN Education Foundation and a board member of the National Press Foundation. She was a director of The Talbots from 2001 and chairperson of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee until 2012.

“Susan Swain has a proven track record of leadership at a highly respected multichannel media organization, as well as decades of accomplishments in strategic operations, consumer engagement and branding,” said Robert Miron, chairman of Discovery’s board of directors. “Her skills and expertise honed at C-SPAN will add tremendous value to Discovery’s board as we look to move the company forward in this time of enormous change and opportunity across the industry.”

“A strong executive and accomplished cable programmer and author, Susan is a fantastic addition to Discovery’s well-regarded board of directors,” stated David Zaslav, the president and CEO of Discovery Communications. “We welcome her unique perspective, governance and operating expertise as Discovery continues to grow and diversify in new content and digital platforms around the world.”

“Discovery Communications has a stellar reputation as a well-run, forward-thinking media company,” added Swain. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working closely with senior leadership and the company’s long-standing dedicated board to help shape the company’s future.”