Discovery LatAM Network Driven Structure.

Discovery Networks Latin America/Iberia announced an organizational realignment that creates brand-specific teams. The new structure is designed to solidify Discovery’s position as the region’s provider of real-world content and signals the next evolutionary step in the company’s growth cycle.

“By developing cross-functional network teams, we’re redefining the structure that facilitated the enormous growth we’ve experienced in our seven years in this market,” commented Enrique R. Martinez, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Discovery Communications Latin America/Iberia. “The new network-driven structure allows us to move our business forward by capitalizing on the unique elements of each brand, further strengthening a highly diversified
portfolio within the real-world genre.”

Four network group directors will be responsible for six network brands; each will assume accountability for their networks’ programming content, creative direction, budgetary aspects and overall ratings performance. Each group director brings proven management experience and solid expertise in a particular functional area. They are:

· Kelley Nichols – Discovery Channel
· Ariella Midolo – Discovery Health/Discovery Travel & Adventure
· Darcy Tomlin – People + Arts
· Peach Gibson – Discovery Kids/Animal Planet

Nichols and Midolo will report to Ryan Shiotani, VP, Programming; while Tomlin and Gibson will report to Stephen Friedman, VP, Marketing.

Nichols, whose television experience spans 11 years, joins the company as Network Group Director, Discovery Channel. Prior to joining Discovery, she spent one year as general manager of Warner Channel Latin America, and previously served as Vice President, Pay Television/Latin America for Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, overseeing sales of pay TV and pay-per-view services as well as the company’s equity investments.

Formerly Director of Marketing, Ariella Midolo has been promoted to Network Group Director, Discovery Health and Discovery Travel & Adventure. Midolo, who joined the company in 1996, has spearheaded all affiliate and ad sales marketing efforts for Discovery Channel and for each subsequent brand launched in the region. Her strong brand management and marketing expertise have been instrumental in building awareness of Discovery’s networks and providing on-the-ground support for distribution partners.

Darcy Tomlin, who also joined the company in 1996, has been named Network Group Director for People + Arts. She previously served as Director of Programming, overseeing scheduling and acquisition for all of Discovery’s networks in Latin America and Iberia. Tomlin began her career with Discovery in the company’s Bethesda-based International division and transferred to the Miami-based Latin America offices in 1998 to manage scheduling and programming for Discovery Channel, Discovery Kids, People + Arts and Animal Planet, and later Discovery Health and Discovery Travel & Adventure.

Peach Gibson has been promoted to Network Group Director, Discovery Kids and Animal Planet. Gibson, who has been with Discovery since 1998, most recently served as Director of On-Air Promotions. Gibson began her career at Discovery as a producer, overseeing on-air promotions for the Brazilian feeds for all of Discovery’s networks. She also spearheaded the creation of the On-Air Promotions Department and has led her team in the production of award-winning promotions and interstitials. Prior to joining Discovery, Gibson spent several years overseeing production of television commercials for advertising agencies in the U.S. and her native Brazil.

“The content knowledge and regional expertise that Darcy and Peach bring to their new positions are invaluable to the evolution of three networks that target specific audiences and provide unique opportunities for future growth,” said Friedman, while Shiotani commented that “the sales, marketing and operations management skills possessed by Kelley and Ariella will be instrumental as we maintain our flagship brand’s dominant position and leverage the unique strengths of the health and travel categories.”