Ian Parmiter Named Senior Vice President, Integrated Advertising Sales Marketing, Discovery Communications
October 30, 2008
(New York, N.Y.) Ian Parmiter has been named senior vice president, integrated advertising sales marketing for Discovery Communications, U.S., it was announced today by Joe Abruzzese, president, advertising sales, Discovery Communications, U.S.
In this role, Parmiter is responsible for leading the advertising sales sponsorship, partnerships and trade advertising/event marketing groups to further increase Discovery's advertising sales division's revenue. Key strategies include creating client awareness of Discovery networks and programs for both Upfront and scatter, as well as developing and executing innovative on-air and off-air marketing programs. He also leads the effective positioning of Discovery's portfolio of brands to advertising agencies and client customers. Prior, Parmiter served as vice president for the group.
"Ian is a proven leader whose vision and professionalism is revered by colleagues and clients alike," said Abruzzese. "His unmatched talent and commitment is a true asset to the advertising sales team and Discovery Communications."
Parmiter joined Discovery in 2000, and during his tenure has served as the executive producer of eight Upfronts, helped dramatically expand Discovery's sponsorship and partnership offerings, and built an integrated marketing team with a strong reputation for creative, high-quality marketing ideas and outstanding execution across 13 networks.
Prior, Parmiter worked at Dr Pepper/Seven Up where he was vice president of brand management for 7UP, Canada Dry, Schweppes, A&W, Sunkist and a range of other Cadbury Schweppes soft drink brands. Among his key accomplishments while at Cadbury Schweppes, Parmiter led the broad-based 7UP revitalization strategy, a full marketing repositioning from product to advertising, which resulted in significant growth and share gains over competition in the lemon-lime category.
Prior to Cadbury Schweppes' acquisition of 7UP, Parmiter spent seven years with Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc, in a variety of marketing executive positions. There he helped lead the development and execution of major Dr Pepper and 7 UP efforts including national advertising, promotions and key local sales-based marketing programs and licensing efforts.
Parmiter began his professional career in account management with Young & Rubicam, where he worked for clients including New York Telephone, Johnson & Johnson Health Care, Merrill Lynch and Dr Pepper.
He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Columbia College and an MBA in marketing from Columbia University. He is currently the President of the Advertising Club of New York, a trade organization with over 2,700 members. He is also an active competitive runner and triathlete. Parmiter and his family reside in Fairfield, Conn.
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, 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. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.