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Tag: Arjan Hoekstra

  • Discovery appoints Nilesh Zaveri as SVP &CFO, finance and corporate operations

    Discovery appoints Nilesh Zaveri as SVP &CFO, finance and corporate operations

    MUMBAI:  Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) has appointed Nilesh Zaveri as senior vice president and chief financial officer, finance & corporate operations, effective 28 April. In his new role, Zaveri will provide strategic financial and corporate operations leadership, oversee all aspects of financial management for DNAP, and lead the interface and execution of key business decisions.

     

    Zaveri joins Discovery from Fox Sports Asia (a 21st Century Fox Company, formerly known as News Corporation), where he held the role of regional CFO since 2012, based in Singapore.  Zaveri has worked with 21st Century Fox for 11 years across multiple business units in Asia where he was previously the head of finance for News Corporation Asia, based in Hong Kong and has held various finance positions with the Star Group in Mumbai and Hong Kong.  He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte.  He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Mumbai University.

     

    DNAP president & managing director Arjan Hoekstra said, “Nilesh is a strong strategic and commercially-focused finance leader with extensive experience across the pan-regional media landscape. We look forward to welcoming him into the Discovery family and benefiting from his expertise as DNAP continues its expansion and growth across the region.”

  • Discovery Networks Asia Pacific promotes Rahul Johri

    Discovery Networks Asia Pacific promotes Rahul Johri

    MUMBAI: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) has promoted Rahul Johri to the role of executive vice president and general manager, South Asia and head of revenue, pan-regional ad sales and Southeast Asia.

     

    Johri continues to spearhead the operations and overall growth strategy of DNAP’s portfolio in the South Asian region, as well as leading and managing the advertising sales and solutions deals for the Asia-Pacific pan-regional business with a focus on expanding distribution and growing local ad sales for Southeast Asia.

     

    “During his time at Discovery, Rahul has built a very successful Indian business for us, and recently expanded his role to include revenue leadership for the Southeast Asia business and pan-regional sales efforts. This promotion recognises his continuing leadership and contributions to Discovery,” said DNAP president and managing director Arjan Hoekstra.

     

    Johri joined Discovery in June 2001 in the ad sales division, based in New Delhi. Since then, he has been promoted through the organisation to his previous role of senior VP and GM of South Asia and head of revenue, pan regional ad sales and Southeast Asia, where he spearheaded the operations and overall growth strategy of DNAP’s portfolio in those markets. 

     

    He was also responsible for revenue generation, portfolio expansion, affiliate partnerships, viewership, content creation and talent management. He pioneered Discovery’s localisation drive in India and launched multiple language feeds across different brands.  Most recently, Johri oversaw the launch of Discovery Kids in India.

     

    Johri is a Board Director and VP of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF).  In January 2013, he was honoured as ‘CEO of the Year’ at the Broadcasting Industry Awards, for his outstanding contribution to the Indian television industry.

     

    Johri holds an MBA in marketing as well as a degree in chemistry, and is an alumnus of Sherwood College, Nainital.

  • JB Perrette to step into Hollinger’s shoes at Discovery Networks International

    JB Perrette to step into Hollinger’s shoes at Discovery Networks International

    Mumbai: Discovery Communications today announced that JB Perrette will become the next President of Discovery Networks International. Perrette takes over for 23-year Discovery veteran Mark Hollinger, who announced his resignation in September.

     

    “JB is one of the smartest and most versatile executives I have worked with in the media business.  Since his time at NBC as a leader in business development, distribution and digital to all the success and value he has built at Discovery, JB has it all — strong strategic vision, operational expertise and exceptional team-building skills.  This is a demanding role like no other, which I believe requires a corporate executive with a broad background to oversee all aspects of the business across 220 countries.  Having spent half his career internationally, and with a unique mix of distribution, digital, strategy and business development experience, JB is the perfect fit to lead Discovery’s international operations,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications. 

     

    Perrette will oversee the company’s international business with current regional and functional leaders Dee Forbes, President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Western Europe; Kasia Kieli, President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa; Henrik Ravn, President and CEO, SBS Discovery Media Nordics; Henry Martinez, President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic; Arjan Hoekstra, President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific; Doug Baker, EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Discovery Networks International; Luis Silberwasser, EVP and Chief Content Officer, Discovery Networks International; Tom Keaveny, President, International Affiliate Sales; and John Honeycutt, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Discovery Networks International, reporting to him.

     

    “Discovery’s regional leaders are simply the best global operating team in all of media,” said Perrette. “Through strong organic growth as well as selective strategic acquisitions and partnerships, Mark and the team have built Discovery Networks International’s unrivaled footprint with powerful brands that are valued by viewers, advertisers and distribution partners around the world. I look forward to working closely with the world-class DNI team and fantastic collaborators as we capitalize on that momentum and chart the next phase of growth for Discovery.”

     

    Discovery’s international business has been growing rapidly for the past several years. In 2013, Discovery completed the acquisition and integration of SBS Nordics; acquired a 20 percent stake in Eurosport, the largest pan-European sports platform; launched TLC in the UK; and grew international ratings by 25 percent – all solidifying the company’s position as the No 1 pay-TV programmer in the world. Today, profits from the DNI business have grown to a level that matches Discovery’s overall profits just seven years ago.

     

    Since joining Discovery in October 2011, Perrette has built best-in-class digital and technology organizations helping to establish Discovery’s industry-leading presence in the digital media field. With Perrette at the helm, Discovery has become a leading provider of high-quality nonfiction media across all screens. Perrette and his team led the successful acquisitions of Revision3 and DeFranco Creative, strategic investments in Lumosity and Learnist, the launches of digital/online networks Animalist and TestTube, and the implementation of innovative live online experiences such as SKYWIRE LIVE and Animal Planet L!VE. Sean Atkins will serve as the acting head of Discovery’s Digital business as the company performs an internal and external search for its next Chief Digital Officer. In addition, the IT/EOS teams, led by Kevin Loftis and Larry Laque, will now report to Andrew Warren, Chief Financial Officer of Discovery Communications.

     

    Prior to joining Discovery, Perrette spent 11 years with NBCUniversal, where he most recently served as President, Digital and Affiliate Distribution, and Content Distribution Strategy, leading North American distribution of television and film content across platforms. He also helped launch new digital channels Sleuth (now Cloo), Chiller and Universal HD and played a leadership role in developing the industry-leading digital venture, Hulu. Perrette’s previous roles at NBC Universal included CFO of NBC Universal Cable, CFO of Bravo Media, and VP of NBC Business Development. Before joining NBC in 2000, Perrette was a member of General Electric’s top leadership development program based in London, and at CS First Boston in London and Toky