KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., as part of its ongoing international expansion initiative, has strengthened its London-based leadership team to guide its growing portfolio of global lifestyle television networks and content businesses.
Jonathan Sichel, who joined the company in 2009 when it acquired Travel Channel in the United States, has been named managing director of the company’s operations in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The company’s U.K.-based operations includes Food Network UK, Food Network South Africa, Fine Living Network and Travel Channel International, which the company acquired earlier this year.
As the company’s leading executive in London, Sichel will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s wholly owned and controlled international operations in the EMEA territory with a focus on expanding channel distribution on television and digital platforms, developing the company’s lifestyle media brands throughout the region, and increasing viewership and revenues. Sichel will report to Bob Baskerville, chief international operating officer for Scripps Networks Interactive.
“Jonathan Sichel is a talented, thoughtful and intelligent media executive who fully understands the value of building powerful and distinctive lifestyle brands in the global marketplace,” said Jim Samples, president of international operations for Scripps Networks Interactive. “As we work toward achieving our ambitious international growth objectives, it’s imperative that we have leaders of Jonathan’s caliber in place to provide the highest level of creative, disciplined and inspiring leadership.”
Also in London, Nick Thorogood, has been a member of the Scripps Networks Interactive international team since 2010, has been named senior vice president of content and marketing for the U.K. and EMEA.
Thorogood, who will report to Sichel, will oversee content development and strategy as well as associated programming and marketing activities for the company’s wholly owned and operated channels in the U.K. and EMEA. He also will lend his expertise as the company pursues channel development opportunities in other key regions, such as Asia and Latin America.
“Nick played an instrumental role in the tremendously successful launch of the Food Network in the United Kingdom, South Africa and other EMEA markets during the past two and a half years,” Samples said. “He has all the right instincts, a strong background in global media and is a fervent advocate of our brand of lifestyle programming and its inherent popularity with fans in the U.K. and beyond. We’re fortunate to have Nick on the team.”
Sichel, 45, helped guide the integration of the U.S.-based Travel Channel into Scripps Networks Interactive, serving as acting general manager of the business for a time after it was acquired by the company. He was named general manager of Travel Channel, serving in that position until 2010. An attorney, Sichel has been involved most recently in developing distribution strategies for Scripps Networks Interactive in the U.S. and internationally, assisting in digital rights negotiations and contributing to the formulation of the company’s position on government policy as it relates to media industry issues.
Prior to his service as general manager, Sichel was senior vice president of commercial affairs and operations for Travel Channel. Before joining Travel Channel, he was vice president of business affairs for Discovery Communications Inc.
Sichel is a 1993 graduate of Harvard Law School. He earned his undergraduate degree in public and international affairs from Princeton University.
Thorogood, 44, joined Scripps Networks Interactive in 2010 as managing director, Food Network, EMEA, to oversee the launch and development of the Food Network in the U.K. and other markets within the EMEA territory. On his watch, Food Network UK became one of the most successful launches of a lifestyle brand on BSkyB. He also oversaw the successful launch of Food Network in South Africa in 2011.
Thorogood joined Scripps from BBC Commercial Agency where he was head of factual, entertainment and formats. Earlier in his career he served as head of lifestyle channels at UKTV.
Thorogood has a bachelor’s degree in communication and media production from Bournemouth University and has participated in the accelerated development program at London Business School.
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive is one of the leading developers of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and e-commerce components on companion websites and broadband vertical channels. The company’s media portfolio includes popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and country music network Great American Country.
Internationally, the company’s owned and operated networks are distributed in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Asia and other markets throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive lifestyle programming is seen through licensing agreements worldwide. The company is an equity partner with Shaw Communications in Canada and BBC Worldwide in the United Kingdom. The Canadian partnership operates HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada and DIY Network Canada. The U.K. partnership operates UKTV and its suite of 10 general entertainment and lifestyle television networks.