KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scripps Networks Interactive (Nasdaq: SNI) has promoted three executives to newly created leadership roles across its U.S. networks business. The moves were announced today by Kathleen Finch, Scripps Networks Interactive's Chief Programming, Content & Brand Officer, and are designed to capitalize on the company’s market-leading success in 2016.
Allison Page will now oversee the programming teams for all six of Scripps Networks Interactive’s networks in the United States, in a newly created position as General Manager, U.S. Programming and Development. The move sees Page add leadership of programming for Food Network and Cooking Channel to her existing responsibility for HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Great American Country.
Page has played an integral role in establishing HGTV as one of the biggest cable networks in the United States. Under her proven leadership, the programming team has helped HGTV become the number one cable network for women, with nine consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth. Prior to joining HGTV and DIY Network in 2013, she spent twelve years in programming roles at Food Network. There she helped create hit shows including Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Chopped, and was a key member of the team behind the successful launch of Cooking Channel.
“Allison Page is one of the most accomplished programming executives working in television today, with a great track record of success in developing talent and formats across all six of our brands,” said Kathleen Finch. “She has been a central player in the incredible success of HGTV over the last few years, and her creativity and leadership will be key to the continued growth and development of all our networks moving forward.”
Additionally, Julie Taylor will now lead the scheduling teams across all six networks, in a new role as Senior Vice President of Program Planning & Strategy, U.S. Networks. Taylor currently leads scheduling teams across HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Great American Country. Shannon Jamieson Driver, who already leads marketing efforts for all six networks, will now contribute support for Scripps Networks Interactive’s growing digital brands through integrated linear and experiential marketing experiences, as General Manager, U.S. Brand Marketing.
“Effective scheduling is a cornerstone of our success, and Julie Taylor’s leadership will help ensure we maintain our strength across our networks,” added Finch. “Shannon Driver has already achieved significant success in bringing our cross-network marketing efforts together over the last year, and together Shannon, Julie and Allison will form a dream team to spearhead our efforts in the United States.”
Allison Page joined Scripps Networks in 2001 as a programming manager for Food Network, and quickly became a key programming strategist for Scripps Networks’ food channels. Prior to joining the company, she worked at independent production companies on programs for Discovery, A&E and Lifetime and was an associate producer at CBS News Sunday Morning.
Didi O'Hearn, Senior Vice President of Programming for Food Network & Cooking Channel, will now report to Allison Page in her new role. John Feld, Senior Vice President of Programming for HGTV, DIY Network & Great American Country, and Courtney White, Senior Vice President of Programming for Travel Channel, will also continue to report to Page.
Taylor has spent more than thirteen years in senior scheduling roles for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country. She joined the company as a production manager for Scripps Productions, supervising budgets and staffing for specials including HGTV Dream Home and White House Christmas. Prior to joining Scripps Networks, Taylor worked in production roles for WBIR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Driver joined Scripps Networks in 2004 and has served in various roles across the company’s home-related brands, including ad sales marketing, experiential marketing and brand partnerships. She was appointed Senior Vice President of Marketing & Creative Services for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country in 2014, before being promoted to lead marketing across all of Scripps Networks’ U.S. brands in September 2015. Driver joined the company from the advertising division of leading public relations firm Edelman, where she worked across multiple accounts with clients in healthcare, financial services and consumer goods.
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (Nasdaq: SNI) is one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms. The company's lifestyle media portfolio comprises popular television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country, which collectively engage more than 190 million U.S. consumers each month. International operations include TVN, Poland’s premier multi-platform media company; UKTV, an independent commercial joint venture with BBC Worldwide; Asian Food Channel, the first pan-regional TV food network in Asia; and lifestyle channel Fine Living. The company’s global networks and websites reach millions of consumers across North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, please visit scrippsnetworksinteractive.com.
