Discovery launches ‘One Discovery World’ ad sales division | M&M Global

Discovery launches ‘One Discovery World’ ad sales division

Discovery Communications has created a new international ad sales division, ‘One Discovery World’, which will sell across its portfolio of TV channels and digital products.

Jonathan Davies
Jonathan Davies, Discovery

Fresh from its acquisition of Eurosport last year, as well as its deal to secure the exclusive rights to the Olympic Games in 50 markets across Europe, Discovery has unveiled a new approach for its international commercial operation.

The new division will be overseen by London-based Jonathan Davies, currently the broadcaster’s senior vice president and managing director, advertiser partnerships.

One Discovery World will offer “bespoke creative and strategic content” across its Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, Turbo and Eurosport networks in 220 markets.

Viviane Paxinos joins from AETN International as vice president, ad sales London, while former CNN exec Sylvain Roger will head up Southern Europe and Switzerland from Paris. Atsushi Saito, also previously with CNN, has been named vice president, ad sales Asia Pacific.

Elsewhere, 20-year Discovery Communications veteran Deena Edwards will lead commercial partnerships around the broadcaster’s Olympic coverage, along with Tricia Thompson, who joins from Sky as director, Olympic and strategic partnerships, ad sales, EMEA.

Finally, Turner Broadcasting’s Paul Harper joins in the newly-created position of executive creative director.

Davies announced the creation of the new team at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

“Advertisers and brands have evolved well beyond the ad break to embed effectively at the center of popular culture,” said Davies, who spoke to M&M Global last month about the broadcaster’s transformation project.

“We have cultivated a strong ad sales leadership team to meet this changing dynamic, and coupled with Discovery’s incredible portfolio, including Eurosport and the Olympic Games, we are uniquely positioned to provide bespoke creative and strategic content solutions to the world’s top sponsors and advertisers, and at the highest levels of service.”

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