Animal Planet’s ‘Dog Park’ Wins People’s Voice Webby Award

May 1, 2012 | by kdelmonico

The Cast of Animal Planet's 'Dog Park'

As an aspiring dog owner at a company filled with many pet parents, I often ask my “I’d-love-to-get-a-dog-but-what-about-this?” questions to my pup owning co-workers. Growing up in Upstate New York (think farms, not fashion) I have had no previous experience at the dog park, but I had many questions about them (How do the people all know each other? When do you know if the dogs are play fighting vs. real fighting?) Not only were they able to impart their pet-owner wisdom, but listening to their stories made me quickly realize there are rules, practices, community…essentially, a dog park code.

Animal Planet was familiar with the code and, when they launched their web-only series Dog Park in October 2011, fans flocked to the five outspoken characters (and their pooches) who gathered at Washington Square dog park in New York City. After bumping into one another countless times, the five dog lovers decided to form a group to improve the functioning of the community-run park. Animal Planet‘s team captured the ins and outs of the dog park community, complete with park bench confessionals.

We were thrilled to learn today that the series has won the People’s Voice Webby Award in the Online Video – Reality category. While winning any award is always a great nod to the hard work of our teams, winning a People’s Voice award always adds an extra layer of excitement. Congratulations to the entire Animal Planet team! You made the dog park look so fun, I may just have to get a dog after all.

‘Nightly Business Report’ Takes a Close Look at Facebook & Discovery’s Social Media Strategy

April 30, 2012 | by aharris

On Friday, we had the pleasure of welcoming a team from PBS’ Nightly Business Report to our headquarters in Silver Spring to learn a bit more about our approach to social media and, in particular, Facebook.

With 60 million “likes” across our Facebook pages, we’d like to think that we’re doing something right. But that’s just the start. Our primary focus is not on that number but rather on YOU: our audience. Our Social Media team spends day and night engaging with fans and getting to know what types of content they like most…and this varies by page, Twitter account, etc.

Check out tonight’s Facebook Economy piece below, featuring our VP of Social Media, Gayle Weiswasser and a sneak peek at an upcoming What Not to Wear episode that engaged Facebook fans in the production and makeover.

‘Gypsy Wedding’ Crosses the Atlantic as TLC Profiles American Gypsies

April 27, 2012 | by aharris

My Big Fat American Gypsy WeddingThere are several TLC shows that are must-see TV for me, such as Toddlers & Tiaras. Another one of those series is My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, which gives us an insiders glimpse at gypsy and traveler culture in England and Ireland. Their dress and traditions seem unusual to most Americans but, you might be surprised to discover that in places like Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina and West Virginia, you’ll find American gypsy communities.

This Sunday, at 10pm ET/PT, viewers will get an unprecedented look at American gypsy life — from their homes to their elaborate weddings — in My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. You can learn more about their culture at TLC.com and check out the sneak peek below of Sunday’s premiere!

Animal Planet’s ‘Whale Wars’ Heads to Viking Shores

April 26, 2012 | by kdelmonico

Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd team are venturing into new territory in Animal Planet‘s Whale Wars: Viking Shores. On the picturesque Faroe Islands between Iceland and Scotland, every summer the Faroese people participate in “The Grind”: a ritual herding of whales to their shores to be killed by the locals with knives. The whale meat is used for food for the community.

Whale Wars: Viking Shores

Whaling is a deep-rooted tradition for the Faroese people, who are descendants of Vikings. Though “The Grind” is technically legal, Watson says “Justice takes precedence over the law. No law that [the Faroese] can pass is going to justify what they’re doing to those whales. We have to constantly remind the Faroese that the outside world is watching them.”

For the first time in Whale Wars history, the Sea Shepherd team is taking to the streets, employing  undercover observation tactics to learn more about “The Grind.” But, with over 20 killing beaches spread across 18 islands, the team is up against the entire community on their quest to end it.

After the show, Animal Planet, will stream a live discussion between Paul Watson and Faroese native Heri Joensen, powered by Watchitoo. Whale Wars: Viking Shore  premieres Friday, April 27, at 9pm ET/PT.

Going, Going…Gone! Robots, Punt Guns & Iron Maidens on Discovery Channel

April 25, 2012 | by kdelmonico

Auction Kings was one of the first shows I worked on when I first started in social media at Discovery Channel. Set at storied Georgia auction house, Gallery 63, Paul Brown and his crew get some pretty cool and pretty strange items coming in.  I always looked forward to finding out which wacky, nostalgic, one-of-a kind items the auctions would be featured that week. The subject line of my emails would read “Hand Cannon/Faberge Pencil” or “Jim Morrison Poem/Cabbage Patch Dolls.” I, of course, immediately knew I would love my new job.

Tonight’s premiere (10pm ET/PT) is no exception, with a star-spangled T-Bucket roadster, 80s robot and iron maiden (historical torture device, not the 80s rock band) all going on the auction block.

But before Auction Kings, catch up with the Wyatt family as American Guns at 9pm ET/PT. Owners of one of the premiere gun outlets in the country, Gunsmoke, the Wyatts make, buy, sell and trade some of the most specialized guns in the country. On tonight’s premiere, Gunsmoke is commissioned to create a historical, and somewhat enormous, punt gun (preview below).

Meet the Interns: Human Resources’ Andres Gomez

April 24, 2012 | by aharris
Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

After a great semester, last week we bid farewell to our spring interns at Discovery Communications (as we get ready for a wonderful new group to join us in June). In our final Meet the Interns profile, we’ll introduce you to Andres Gomez, a second-year Master of Arts candidate at Hofstra University. He is currently studying Industrial and Organizational Psychology and has been enjoying his time this semester with the Human Resources Learning & Development team. (We’d also like to give a big thanks to Mark DiGiammarino, our intern, who has taken the lead on our Meet the Interns series. Congrats on your graduation and best of luck!)

Why did you apply to intern with Discovery?
I applied to intern with Discovery because I was interested in gaining some valuable experience in the field of Human Resources. I also wanted to get a feel for working for a large and very successful organization. After all, Discovery is the #1 nonfiction media company in the world — it would have been foolish of me not to jump on the opportunity!

How did your friends and family react when you told them you were selected to intern with Discovery?
My family was very excited that such a great opportunity had come my way.  Although some of my friends and colleagues couldn’t help but be a little jealous, they were happy and excited for me.

Tell us about one of the projects you are currently working on.
I am working on several projects, but one of the most exciting is a new training course designed to help managers develop the needed skills to have effective career development conversations with their direct reports. In the process of doing so, I interviewed members from the Total Compensation team and reviewed existing courses within Discovery’s Global Banding Program. This project helped me to develop my interpersonal skills by allowing me to work directly with HR professionals. I also drafted content for a training program that will actually be used here at Discovery!

What has been your favorite aspect of your internship with Discovery so far?
I like the culture of Discovery Communications here in New York. The people are very friendly and welcoming, and it’s clear that it is an environment that fosters individual growth and employee satisfaction.

What is one goal you sought to accomplish during your time at Discovery?
I set out to accomplish a task that would offer a meaningful contribution to the Learning & Development team in the small amount of time I would be interning with them and, in the end, I created a system to track employee completion of the Professional Growth Program curriculum. This not only helps the Learning & Development team, but will allow employees in the PGP to track their professional development and course completions.  I am very proud of this project because I had a large amount of autonomy and was able to complete the project from start to finish.

For more information about internships and careers and Discovery Communications, make sure to visit careers.discovery.com!