Discovery Communications Western Europe Unit Promotes Two Executives

LONDON - Discovery Communications' Discovery Networks Western Europe unit said Monday that it has promoted two executives as it continues to look for further growth opportunities.

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The cable networks company elevated Yitz Shmulewitz to the new role of COO and CFO and said that it has expanded Nicolas Bonard's duties with the new title of general manager, France & Discovery Enterprises International. 

Both executives report to Dee Forbes, president and managing director of Discovery Networks Western Europe.
 
Discovery Communications, led by CEO David Zaslav, has been focusing on growth opportunities around the world.

Shmulewitz was already CFO, but is now adding the COO duties. He will work closely with Forbes on business development and growth opportunities for the Western Europe business.  

Responsibility as head of Discovery France has been added to Bonard’s existing duties leading Discovery Enterprises where he oversees all international program sales, co-financing, licensing and merchandising activities and more. In that role, he reports to John Honeycutt, COO, Discovery Networks International.

“These promotions reflect the ambitious growth plans that the Western Europe business is embarking on," said Forbes. "Over the last two years, Discovery’s Western Europe business has seen considerable growth with the launch of three free to air channels in Italy and Spain and the roll-out of DNI’s flagship female lifestyle brand TLC in a number of markets, including Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark."

The company also boosted its French business earlier this year when it took a 20 percent stake in Televista, a female lifestyle TV company.

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai