Maryanne Culpepper has been named president of National Geographic Television.
National Geographic Global Media COO Ted Prince said Tuesday that Culppepper, who most recently was executive vp editorial and new business development, will succeed Michael Rosenfeld, whose departure was announced last month. She will report to Prince.
“Maryanne’s strong track record in the creative development process and her in-depth knowledge of every aspect of National Geographic’s content assets — from mission programs to magazine stories — make her the ideal leader to head this critical function,” Prince said in a statement.
Before coming to National Geographic as director of story development in 1996, she was president of Graffiti Works, a television production company she founded that produced films for National Geographic, Discovery, PBS and Time-Life.
“Maryanne has been the architect of our highly successful cross-platform editorial process for many years and is uniquely positioned to ensure we can deliver the expeditions, talent, grantees and editorial know-how wrapped up as great, entertaining television specials and series to our channels,” National Geographic president Tim Kelly added.
The news comes as National Geographic Channels is expanding its global development staff, adding former Fox Reality Channel president David Lyle last month to oversee its new West Coast Development Office.
