Discovery Communications Appoints Original Content Exec

NEW YORK: Charlie Foley has become the executive VP of Discovery Communications’ new original content group.

Foley’s duties include creating, writing and executive producing scripted programming as well as nonfiction shows and formats. He is also responsible for supervising a team devoted to creating and producing content for Discovery Networks in the U.S. and worldwide. He will continue to manage Animal Planet’s Development department while working out of the company’s New York office under Marjorie Kaplan, the group president and general manager of Animal Planet, Science Channel and Velocity.

Foley is credited with creating, writing and/or executive producing a number of successful Animal Planet series, including Mermaids: The New Evidence, Mermaids: The Body Found, River Monsters and Whale Wars, among others. He first started his career at National Geographic.

"Charlie’s creative talents have helped transform Animal Planet into a Top 20 network with original series like River Monsters, Whale Wars and the network’s two scripted Mermaids specials, which have become a global phenomenon," said Kaplan. "With him in this new role, the entire Discovery portfolio will be able to benefit from Charlie’s big ideas, his creative leadership and his storytelling skills."