KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) has tapped a 25-year veteran of the television and entertainment industry to take on a broader distribution management role for the company’s powerful lifestyle media brands, naming Henry Ahn executive vice president of content distribution and marketing.
Ahn, who joins SNI from NBC Universal, will be responsible for the distribution strategy for Scripps Networks Interactive’s television brands and related video content across all platforms. Ahn will be based in the company’s global headquarters in Knoxville, where he will report to Scripps Networks President John Lansing and serve as a member of the company’s management committee and diversity council. He starts his new position October 1.
“Henry is a respected industry leader with the ability to influence and maintain key relationships at all levels,” said Lansing. “He has extensive cross-divisional experience and has demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills, which is vital in today’s competitive business climate.”
SNI is widely recognized as the leader in lifestyle media, with HGTV and DIY Network in the home category, Food Network and Cooking Channel defining the food genre, and Travel Channel and Great American Country network rounding out its portfolio of TV networks and related interactive businesses. The company also operates 10 web properties, anchored by the top-rated online content providers in the home and food categories, HGTV.com and FoodNetwork.com, respectively.
“Scripps Networks Interactive represents some of the most compelling and beloved brands in all of media. It has a fabulous reputation for consistently delivering engaging, high-quality content, and it’s a company that’s known for its strong partnerships with its distributors,” said Ahn, who served as executive vice president of TV networks distribution for NBC Universal TV Networks Distribution division for the past four years. “Everyone in our industry is dealing with the challenge of redefining just what the video experience is and how it will continue to evolve. What excites me about this move is that SNI is in a great position to lead that discussion and influence the future of the media industry.”
Ahn is leaving NBC Universal after 17 years in affiliate sales management, business development and financial management, most recently holding the position of executive vice president of NBCU’s TV networks distribution. A graduate of Boston College with an MBA from Fordham University, Ahn’s prior professional experience includes working as a financial analyst at HBO and Comedy Central and managing strategic planning and analysis for EMI Records Group.
Over the years, Ahn has earned numerous industry honors, including being inducted into CableFax’s 2010 Sales Hall of Fame and ranking second among CableFax’s Top Most Influential Multiethnics in Cable. In 2009, Ahn was selected as the 2009 Co-Affiliate Sales Person of the Year for Large Network Groups by CableFax.
“Henry has proven his ability time after time to develop, motivate and lead a team of professionals.” Lansing said. “I am certain he will build on SNI’s existing partnerships and foster important new relationships to create innovative business and marketing opportunities.”
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) is a leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television, the Internet and emerging platforms, where on-air programming complements online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's lifestyle media portfolio comprises popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and country music network Great American Country. Scripps Networks Interactive is based in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Nashville, Tenn. and Chevy Chase, Md.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6853884&lang=en