Discovery Communications Names David Kline As CIO
Veteran Technology Leader Joins Top Industry Team
June 26, 2007
(Silver Spring, MD) Discovery Communications today announced the appointment of David R. Kline as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
Kline will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic management and technical guidance for Discovery’s information technology infrastructure, software applications, and facility engineering worldwide. Kline will focus on next-generation systems conversions and integrations in support of driving Discovery’s overall brand building and growth strategies.
“David is a real innovator with a very impressive list of accomplishments. We couldn’t be more pleased that he is joining the Discovery team,” said Mark Hollinger, President, Global Businesses and Operations, Discovery Communications, to whom Kline will report. “David will be the company’s top information technology visionary and lead the effort to strengthen and extend our technical capabilities.”
Discovery was named in May 2007 to Computerworld’s list of “100 Best Places to Work in IT” for a second consecutive year. The survey selects the top companies that offer IT employees competitive benefits, salaries, and opportunities for growth and development.
“This is such an exciting opportunity to work on a global, multi-platform scale with the industry’s top team,” said Kline. “Discovery Communications is known for technical excellence, and it is great to be joining such a distinguished company committed to innovation, creativity and high quality content.”
Kline has an extensive background in managing the information systems strategy for some of the world’s biggest entertainment brands. Currently senior vice president and CIO of information technology and facilities, Kline directs company-wide technology and facilities initiatives for Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corp. Rainbow Media manages entertainment brands including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Rainbow Sports Networks managed FSN Bay Area and FSN New England, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL and VOOM HD Networks.
Kline joined Rainbow Media in 1998 as director of information systems, and quickly became a key member of senior management. Previously, Kline worked for Integrated Systems Group as vice president of pre- and post-sales systems engineering. Earlier, he served as manager of data center operations and project director of clinical applications for North Shore Health Systems.
Kline earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in management and marketing from Long Island University at C.W. Post.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com .