National Geographic Partners announced today the appointment of its senior leadership team. The previously announced entity combines the National Geographic television channels and National Geographic’s other media and consumer-oriented assets. The appointments were made by National Geographic Partners CEO Declan Moore. Additional appointments are expected soon.
21st Century Fox and National Geographic Society also announced that they have completed the transaction to form National Geographic Partners.
“Upon completing the transaction to form National Geographic Partners, we are thrilled to bring these incredibly talented executives to the senior leadership team,” Moore said. “National Geographic is one of the world’s most trusted brands, delivering unique and compelling storytelling of science, discovery and wonder to consumers for over a century. We’re excited to officially begin our journey to bring a new and integrated National Geographic experience to people worldwide, and I look forward to partnering with Ward Platt and working with Susan Goldberg, Courteney Monroe and Jeffrey Schneider to share the National Geographic mission with an even larger audience.”
Ward Platt, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Fox International Channels (FIC) and CEO of National Geographic Channels International, will assume the new post of COO of National Geographic Partners. Platt will partner with Moore to drive the global revenue of the entire portfolio of National Geographic Partners’ businesses, including channels distribution, advertising revenue, digital publishing, licensing, travel and consumer products. Platt will also have oversight of the new venture’s international operations. Platt previously served as President, FIC Asia Pacific & Middle East. Under his more than 10 years of leadership in the region, FIC experienced exponential growth, becoming the leading pay-TV network in Asia Pacific. He helped build the business from the ground up and was responsible for all aspects of running more than 40 channel brands across 18 offices, including the launch of National Geographic’s channel business in Asia. In addition, he oversaw the integration of Fox Sports Asia (formerly ESS) into FIC.
Susan Goldberg, who currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic magazine, will continue in that capacity and add the title of Editorial Director, responsible for all of the publishing activities under the new venture, including digital journalism, magazines, books, maps, children and family, travel and adventure. This expanded oversight will drive alignment among all of the publishing assets in support of key initiatives while ensuring the editorial voice and mission of the magazine is reflected across the full spectrum of National Geographic Partners’ publishing assets. Prior to joining National Geographic in 2014, Goldberg was executive editor for Bloomberg News in Washington, D.C., where she oversaw coverage of federal, state and local governments. Previously she was editor of the Plain Dealer (Cleveland).
Courteney Monroe, who is currently Chief Executive Officer of National Geographic Channels U.S., will serve as CEO of National Geographic Global Networks, overseeing global programming, operations and global marketing for the portfolio of National Geographic Channels around the world, which includes National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, Monroe will assume oversight of National Geographic Studios, the in-house television production studio previously part of National Geographic Ventures, which currently produces the network’s Emmy-nominated series “Brain Games” and Emmy-winning series “Explorer,” as well as large-format films and short-form videos. In this expanded role, Monroe will continue to work closely with Fox Networks Group Chairman and CEO Peter Rice, partnering with the best in the creative community to position National Geographic Channels as a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming. Monroe joined National Geographic Channels in 2012 from HBO, where she served as Executive Vice President, Consumer Marketing and Digital Platforms. In this role she spearheaded marketing for a range of path-breaking shows including “The Sopranos” and “Game of Thrones,” and she oversaw the development, launch and marketing of digital streaming service HBO GO.
Jeffrey Schneider, who is currently Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for National Geographic Channels, will become EVP of Business and Legal Affairs for National Geographic Partners. Schneider’s team will have oversight of all legal dealings associated with the new venture.
About the National Geographic Society
National Geographic is a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. Each year, it funds hundreds of research, conservation and education programs around the globe. Every month, it reaches more than 700 million people through its media platforms, products and events. Its works to inspire, illuminate and teach through scientific expeditions, award-winning journalism and education initiatives is supported through donations, purchases and memberships. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find National Geographic on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
About 21st Century Fox
21st Century Fox is the world’s premier portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay-TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.8 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, STAR India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 300 channels that comprise Fox International Channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and a 50% ownership interest in Endemol Shine Group. The Company also holds a 39.1% ownership interest in Sky, Europe’s leading entertainment company, which serves 21 million customers across five countries. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.
Media Contacts
Chris Albert
National Geographic Channels
calbert@natgeotv.com
(202) 912-6526
MJ Jacobsen
National Geographic Partners
mjacobse@ngs.org
(202) 857-7759
Jonathan Bing
21st Century Fox
jonathan.bing@fox.com
(310) 369-1274