Dee Forbes Named Managing Director and EVP of Discovery Networks International's UK Business
-- Forbes to Lead Discovery’s Largest Single Market Outside U.S. --
September 16, 2009
(LONDON and SILVER SPRING, Md.) Dee Forbes has been appointed the Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Discovery Networks UK, it was announced today by Greg Ricca, CEO and President of Discovery Networks International.
Ms. Forbes will be responsible for Discovery’s UK/Ireland business, which is the single largest market for Discovery outside the U.S. Discovery Networks UK is one of four regional business units managed within Discovery Networks International.
Ms. Forbes takes up her new role in January 2010 and joins from Turner Broadcasting Europe where she is the Senior Vice President and General Manager, Turner Broadcasting System, UK/Ireland.
In her new role, she will report to Mr. Ricca and manage all commercial and channel activities in connection with Discovery’s UK business which consists of 12 Pay TV brands reaching over 2.5 million people per day in the UK including Discovery Channel, DMAX and Real Time. Ms. Forbes will also be responsible for managing the Freeview channel which the UK business will launch later this year.
Dee is a highly talented executive with extensive experience and a proven track record of success. She has terrific business acumen and will be an important addition to our strong leadership team within Discovery Networks International. The UK is a key market for Discovery, and Dee will drive our business and help us grow market share and revenue in this region,” said Mr. Ricca.
At Turner, Ms. Forbes oversees all aspects of the Turner business in the UK and Ireland, an entertainment network of seven channels including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Turner Classic Movies. Her remit covers commercial and network functions including ad sales, sponsorships, programming, on-air, operations, research, business development, marketing and communications. Ms. Forbes has spent 14 years working at Turner in a variety of commercial roles including Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales, Sponsorship and Promotions for EMEA as well as General Manager for the Nordic/Central and Eastern Europe and EMA regions.
Prior to joining Turner, Ms. Forbes worked at Media Audits, a media consultancy that advised UK advertisers on media strategy and at Young and Rubicam Media in Europe.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Networks International distributes 18 international brands, reaching 946 million cumulative subscribers with programming available in 35 languages; in the UK and Ireland, Discovery distributes 12 brands reaching 110 million cumulative subscribers. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.