Discovery names Robinson in EMEA sales role

by Mark Banham, Brand Republic 18-Oct-06, 11:00

LONDON - Discovery Networks Europe has appointed Jules Robinson as vice-president of international advertising sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, replacing Monica Mather who left the broadcaster last month.

He will lead a team of ten when he starts his new position on November 7, overseeing Discovery Europe's international sales efforts. He joins from Yahoo! UK and Ireland, where he was head of business development. Prior to that he was sales director for CNBC Australia and looked after business development for CNBC Europe.

Robinson will also partner with country managers in key EMEA territories to develop strategies to grow new and existing revenue streams. In addition, Robinson will work closely with Discovery Networks in Asia, Latin America and the United States to forge international media deals.

He will be based in the company's London headquarters and will report to Annie Rodgers, senior vice president of sales for the EMEA region.

Working alongside Rogers, Robinson will be responsible for leading ad sales for Discovery's portfolio of nine channel brands across the region.

The portfolio of nine channels reaches 108.5m cumulative subscribers in 103 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Rodgers said: "Jules's extensive experience in global ad sales for multinational media organizations and his solid track record of developing business in dynamic and fast paced emerging markets indicates that he will play an integral role in leading our international ad sales team."

Robinson added: "Viewers in Europe's most desirable demographic groups tune in to Discovery's programming and are loyal to its brand. These consumers are extremely attractive to a whole range of premium advertisers, and I am committed to leading and developing commercial strategies across the entire EMEA region to best target these audiences."

Dicovery's portfolio includes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Real Time, Discovery Travel & Living, Discovery HD, Discovery Civilisation, Discovery Science, Discovery Geschichte and DMAX, Discovery's newly launched free-to-air channel in Germany.

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