Discovery will restructure its European operations, merging several territories into a single unit. Among the changes, Piotr Korycki, the CEO of Polish TV giant TVN, will leave the company. “We are working systematically to rationalize our operation and find synergies and efficiencies across our EMEA business,” Kasia Kieli, Discovery’s President and MD of EMEA. “We have come a long way over the years and with this restructuring, we have defined a clear path towards a leaner operating model, where we utilize the best competence across markets.”
The Benelux region will be combined with Germany under the leadership of General Manager Germany & Benelux Susanne Aigner, while Spain and France will be unified under the leadership of general manager Iberia & France Antonio Ruiz. Meanwhile, Jamie Cooke, senior VP, chief of staff EMEA, will take on a new combined role for Russia, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, as well as pay-TV. Kieli also named Leah Hooper senior VP direct-to-consumer growth & strategy international, while she will take a leadership role at Poland's TVN herself.
The company said that the reorganization, announced by Kieli,"aligns several of its operating markets in EMEA to improve strategic focus and enable further investment in its direct-to-consumer businesses." Kieli said. “By combining know-how and leveraging our scale, we will be able to streamline decision making and operate with greater speed and focus towards future business opportunities,”
Discovery didn't detail how many other employees would be cut as part of the realignment of its financial impact. “There are no plans for that at the moment, but our industry is going through enormous change and disruption, and for us to remain competitive we must adapt and change with it. The changes we are making are to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business."
James Gibbons’ portfolio has been realigned to add the Nordic markets to the U.K., making him general manager U.K. & Nordics. The Nordic markets will be unified under the leadership of Nicklas Norrby who has been in charge of the Swedish business since 2019 and will now report directly to Gibbons.
By combining know-how and leveraging our scale, we will be able to streamline decision making and operate with greater speed and focus towards future business opportunities.” Kasia Kieli Discovery’s President, MD of EMEA
