Discovery In Major Reorg; Wolzien, Berman On Board As Advisors

Just three months after he was named CEO of Discovery , David Zaslav is cleaning house that does away with Discovery Networks President Billy Campbell, and a slew of other senior managers, reports B&C. Discovery Networks International President Dawn McCall, HR chief Pandit Wright and a duo of channel presidents are out, while marquee company outsiders, including analyst Tom Wolzien and former Paramount syndication chief Joel Berman, have been retained as consultants.
As part of the plan, the company has organized network GMs into five branded groups that will report directly to Zaslav. Assisting in those moves will be at least two big-name consultants. Tom Wolzien, intimately familiar with Discovery board member Liberty Media after running Sanford Bernstein’s media practice, will advise the company on its global growth strategy. Joel Berman, who last headed syndication for Paramount Pictures and CBS/Paramount Television, will advise on syndication strategy.
Staci adds: Billy Campbell’s departure was expected after he missed out on the job that went to Zaslav. Joe Abruzzese and Bill Goodwyn. presidents of ad sales and affiliate sales and marketing respectively, stay on in a smart move. Goodwyn is now president, domestic distribution and enterprises. Zaslav is looking for a biz dev head who will include new media parternships in his/her portfolio but so far there’s no new media person at the top; instead, each division is responsible for its own.
Related: David Zaslav To Be New Discovery CEO; Second Senior Exec NBCU Loses This Week

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