Discovery Communications Bolsters Licensing Leadership
-- Julie Robertson Appointed Vice President, Domestic Licensing --
-- Jo Edwards Promoted To Vice President, International Licensing --
June 9, 2008
(Silver Spring, Md.) Discovery Communications today announced that Julie Robertson has been appointed Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Jo Edwards has been promoted to Vice President, International Licensing. Today’s announcement further extends the company’s commitment to maximize third-party sales and franchise opportunities across Discovery’s world-class brands, content and properties.
Discovery Commerce president and general manager Patrick Gates announced that Julie Robertson has joined the group as vice president of Domestic Licensing, reporting to Gates. Robertson brings to Discovery more than 20 years experience in brand marketing and product development, and a solid track record in creating innovative programs and initiatives that helped drive brand awareness and bottom line results for a number of well-known consumer brands in the entertainment, fast food, consumer products and soft drink industries.
In this role, Robertson will lead and manage all aspects of Discovery’s domestic licensing enterprise and develop new strategies for growth through complementary brand extension initiatives including cross-divisional programs and external partnerships.
"Julie brings solid marketing and product development skills to Discovery’s domestic licensing group that nicely complements our go-forward strategy," said Gates. "Her background in successfully marketing such family-friendly entertainment brands as Disney and Ringling Bros. will be a tremendous asset as we look for innovative ways to build successful programs around Discovery’s core network brands and assets."
Caleb Weinstein, Senior Vice President, Discovery Enterprises International - the international sales arm of Discovery Communications - announced the promotion of Jo Edwards to the position of Vice President, International Licensing, reporting to Weinstein.
"Jo’s expanded role reinforces our commitment to better serve third-party licensees in the international marketplace by streamlining access to Discovery’s content and brands and offering a broad range of innovative opportunities," said Weinstein. "With a proven track record in advancing Discovery’s international licensing efforts, Jo’s expertise will ensure we are able to strengthen our franchise management activities and further extend Discovery’s rich content into new areas."
An eight-year veteran of Discovery’s international licensing operations, Edwards has built partnerships with licensees to develop consumer product categories that are closely aligned with Discovery’s core brands and properties throughout Europe, including the highly successful American Chopper and Miami Ink product lines. Edwards also played an integral role in the launch of Discovery’s international home video line, including the successful releases of Deadliest Catch, Meerkat Manor and Everest.
In her new role, Edwards will lead Discovery’s licensing and franchise management efforts in Canada and all international markets in coordination with teams in five offices around the world. She will also work closely with development teams in the US and worldwide to drive new franchise opportunities for Discovery’s key programming. Edwards’ responsibilities have grown to incorporate sales development direction and marketing and distribution of all licensing initiatives including Home Video, Merchandise and Licensed Promotions in Discovery’s international regions across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Canada. Edwards will also drive new development opportunities for licensing deals originating outside the United States, including magazine publishing, live shows, and gaming.
About Julie Roberston
Robertson comes to Discovery from Feld Entertainment, where she served as senior vice president of marketing. In this position, Robertson directed all aspects of product development, marketing, advertising and consolidated communications for the world’s largest producer of live entertainment, which includes the signature Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, and a number of highly successful Disney ice shows, including High School Musical on Ice, Disney Live and The Doodlebobs Live.
Among her achievements at Feld, Robertson led an aggressive re-branding effort for Ringling Bros. that successfully re-positioned the show from a traditional circus to the pre-eminent name in family entertainment. She also resurrected Ringling Bros.’s dormant licensing program, driving product deals in the toy and apparel categories. Robertson also developed successful, fully integrated marketing campaigns for
Robertson’s experience also includes senior marketing and management positions at Burger King, where she oversaw Sports and Entertainment marketing and New Product Development, and created product tie-ins with major entertainment entities including Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, NASCAR and NCAA football.
About Jo Edwards
With over 12 years of licensing and branding experience in the international media industry, Edwards joined Discovery in 2000 from Marshall Media, where she served as Operations Director and was responsible for management of the multimedia and video departments. Before that, Edwards served as an editorial consultant at Notting Hill Electronic Publishing, developing CD-ROM product including Evolution of Life with Richard Dawkins. Prior to that, she served as Multimedia Manager at Attica where she was responsible for the management and editorial direction of projects in conjunction with third party licensees including the BBC, ITV, The National Gallery, London, and Sir Simon Rattle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Edwards also worked in the publishing industry as a Book Editor at Dorling Kindersley.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications 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, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.