U.S. Management Restructure at Scripps Networks Interactive

KNOXVILLE: Scripps Networks Interactive has made changes to the leadership team of its U.S. lifestyle networks and related businesses following the resignation of John F. Lansing as head of the Scripps Networks operating arm.

Lansing, who served in his current position for the past nine years, will become a consultant for the company. During his reign as president of Scripps Networks' operating division, total annual revenues earned by the company's lifestyle media business have tripled. His role will be filled by 19-year veteran Burton Jablin, whose new duties will include supervising and developing the portfolio of television channels, digital content businesses and all other related operations.

Kathleen Finch is on board to replace Jablin as president of the company's home category. She has been serving as the senior VP and general manager of HGTV and DIY Network. In her new post she will oversee HGTV and DIY Network, their websites and related businesses, as well as the strategic direction and ongoing growth of the home category operations.

"This company and its many stakeholders owe John Lansing a debt of gratitude for his inspired leadership and for guiding Scripps Networks through an astonishing period of growth and accomplishment," stated Kenneth W. Lowe, chairman, president and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive. "It's to John's credit that Scripps Networks today is one of the industry's shining stars, having defined lifestyle media as a content genre for television and the growing array of interactive media platforms. Under John's able stewardship, Scripps Networks has established for itself a sturdy competitive advantage in the home, food and travel content categories."

"For several months I've been considering options that would allow me to constructively move into the next phase of my career, providing me with an opportunity to explore some new entrepreneurial adventures and to stretch into new areas of interest for me," noted Lansing. "To that end, I have decided the time is now right for me to take an early retirement option so that I can begin to prepare for that next chapter."

"Underscoring the great brands and record-breaking business results, the distinguishing competitive characteristic at Scripps Networks is ultimately the quality of everyone who works for this outstanding company," continued Lansing. "Without a doubt, the reason Scripps Networks succeeds is directly tied to the culture that persistently embraces collaboration, creativity and individual respect. That's why Scripps Networks is still reaching its highest peak performance 19 years after launching in 1994. There is nothing I take more pride in than knowing that collectively, as the business grew, we have been able to keep Scripps Networks centered on its core values—the strategic advantage—as I'm sure it will remain going into the future."

"John had a direct hand in guiding the orderly succession in leadership at the company, first by establishing an outstanding team that included Burton Jablin and Kathleen Finch as the motivating forces behind the success of our home category businesses, and second by recognizing their potential and capacity to take on these vitally important, expanded roles," said Lowe. "In Burton Jablin and Kathleen Finch, we have two of the industry's most talented programming executives ready and able to assume leadership and build on the unprecedented success that John Lansing and the entire team at Scripps Networks has helped this company achieve."

Lansing added: "The success Burton and Kathleen have had guiding and directing the growth and development of our home category businesses speaks volumes to the expertise, creativity, vision and discipline they bring to our brand of lifestyle media. I have no doubt that the company will benefit greatly from their thoughtful stewardship and inspired leadership."

Jablin commented: "It has been a privilege to be part of this great company since the very beginning and to participate in its growth and evolution on television, in digital media, and in consumer products and services. We are, at our core, a lifestyle content company with powerful brands that are highly valued by media consumers, advertisers and content distributors. Our objective going forward is to continue the company's uninterrupted track record of growth and to serve our many fans and customers wherever and whenever they want."

"HGTV and DIY Network are both experiencing unprecedented audience growth thanks to the outstanding creative efforts of our entire home category team," added Finch. "We're engaging new and younger fans with exciting new programming concepts and shows that are expanding the content genre and creating tons of energy and momentum. We have a motivated team and are committed to the continued growth and development of all of our home category businesses."