Liz Dolan Named Chief Marketing Officer OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

December 17, 2008

(Los Angeles, Ca.) Liz Dolan has been named Chief Marketing Officer for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, effective January 5, 2009.  Ms. Dolan is a celebrated marketing and branding expert, having served as marketing head at NIKE, as well as host and creator of the award-winning talk show, Satellite Sisters.  The announcement was made today by Robin Schwartz, President of OWN, to whom she will report.

In her new role, Ms. Dolan will oversee creation of a brand identity for the network and will steer the development of all marketing efforts supporting the on-air launch of OWN in late 2009/early 2010. Additionally, she will be responsible for all on-air, print, radio, and online marketing messaging, as well as the fully integrated strategy concepts aimed at maximizing the business and programming objectives of the network.

"Liz's talent for capturing the true emotion of a brand is extraordinary," said Schwartz. "In today's crowded television environment, you must have a truly inspired marketing vision to capture the attention of viewers.  We are confident that Liz will orchestrate the ideal plan to reach viewers who are looking for an inspiring, empowering, and informative television and online experience."

"I am thrilled to join the team that will create and launch OWN," said Ms. Dolan.  "At NIKE, I learned how to build strong emotional connections between individuals and a big brand with big ideas.  Since then, most of my work has been in smaller, multi-platform start-ups that served very focused audiences, including Satellite Sisters.  This role at OWN will call upon all of those combined skills; I feel like I have been in training for just this job for two decades."

Dolan's skill in branding and integrated marketing was gained through a decade at NIKE, Inc., where she was Corporate Vice President and Director of Global Marketing. In that position, she managed NIKE's worldwide brand and product development, advertising, sports marketing, public relations, and consumer research, which earned her a spot among the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports (Sporting News) and Woman of the Year (Sports Industry) twice.

Following her work at NIKE, she started her own marketing consultancy focused on nurturing brands that serve women. Her first project was the marketing of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, helping transform the event into the most successful women's sporting event in history.

In 2001, Dolan and her four sisters began the talk radio show, Satellite Sisters, that went on to become the most successful radio talk show for women. Syndicated by Public Radio International, ABC Radio Networks and online, she was an executive producer for the show, as well as co-host, and managed all sponsorship sales and online content creation.

Ms. Dolan is a graduate of Brown University and served on the National Board of Governors of the Boys+Girls Clubs of America. She is also involved with CARE International and has visited hospitals, schools, and refugee services across parts of Africa for the past five years. She will be based at OWN's headquarters in Burbank, CA.

About OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network
A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com.

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.

About Harpo
Harpo Productions, Inc. produces the number-one-rated, award-winning "The Oprah Winfrey Show;" creates and develops original TV programming for primetime, syndication and cable television; and operates Oprah.com (www.oprah.com), a premier lifestyle website. Harpo Print, LLC and Hearst Magazines publish the monthly O, The Oprah Magazine publication.  Harpo Films is dedicated to high-quality scripted dramatic programming, and recently announced an exclusive television deal with HBO.  Harpo Radio, Inc. produces Oprah & Friends (XM channel 156, Sirius channel 195) on Sirius XM Radio.  A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a multi-platform company, will debut in late 2009 or early 2010 in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.