Nat Geo Boosts East Coast Development Team with New Hires

WASHINGTON, D.C.: National Geographic Channel is expanding its East Coast development team following its announcement of a robust development slate.

The network’s new execs are Nicole Reed, joining as VP of development, and Igal Svet, on board as the director of development. Reed will be based in New York, while Svet will serve from the network’s D.C. headquarters. Both will report directly to Charlie Parsons, head of East Coast development. Additionally, D.C.-based Naimah Holmes will relocate to New York as director of development, where she will report to Reed.

The team will be responsible for the development and greenlighting of new series and specials for Nat Geo. They’ll also be charged with building relationships with production companies from the East Coast and the U.K.

Reed previously served as director of nonfiction and alternative programming at A&E, while Svet joins the network from 2C Media, a Miami-based production company, where he was VP of development. Holmes has been a manager of development and production at Nat Geo since 2012, working for the West Coast division before relocating to D.C.

“This year’s robust Upfront development slate demonstrates our strong creative efforts to build upon programming that resonates with our audience,” said Heather Moran, the channel’s executive VP of programming and strategy. “Expanding our East Coast development team reinforces our overall strategy of collaborating with the best production partners to create content that leverages our unique brand DNA. Under the direction of senior VP Alan Eyres, our development team is even better positioned to help grow the network.”

Eyres added: “I am excited to expand the team with such top-of-the-line talent. A bigger presence in New York will help cement our position in the heart of one of the most vibrant production communities in the world. With Charlie’s leadership, along with Nicole, Igal and Naimah’s impressive development and production backgrounds, I have no doubt that we will continue to create programming that will provoke a sense of exploration, fun and adventure that embodies the spirit of the Nat Geo brand.”