National Geographic Partners Names Laura Nichols Senior Vice President, Chief Communications Officer

Picture of Head Shot, Laura Nichols

Laura Nichols has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, National Geographic Partners. Her appointment was announced by National Geographic Partners CEO Declan Moore, to whom Nichols reports. In her newly created role, Nichols will oversee all communications and media relations for National Geographic Partners, coordinating among all divisions including the National Geographic cable channels, magazines, books, licensing, events and travel businesses.

“As National Geographic broadens its horizons and expands our business across new channels and new platforms, Laura is the perfect person to lead our communications efforts,” Moore said. “Laura brings tremendous media expertise to this position, and we look forward to collaborating with her to build on National Geographic’s status as the world’s preeminent source of storytelling about science, adventure and exploration.”

Nichols was previously Executive Vice President, Global Communications, at the Motion Picture Association of America. At the MPAA she was responsible for all aspects of the MPAA’s communications, including media relations; messaging research and marketing strategies; digital strategy; public events and programming; public affairs and outreach. She also led strategic efforts to focus industry advocacy on promotion of studio innovations and efforts to provide consumers with greater access to a wider array of options for viewing content.

Prior to the MPAA, Nichols served as Senior Vice President, Communications & Strategy, for the Center for American Progress, where she was instrumental in the founding, conception and programming activities of the Washington-based non-profit, multi-issue think tank. She has also served as a Partner at First Tuesday Media, Senior Vice President at the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Communications Director for House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt.

About National Geographic Partners LLC

National Geographic Partners LLC, a joint venture between National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox, combines National Geographic television channels with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic Studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, location-based entertainment, archival sales, catalog, licensing and e-commerce businesses. A portion of the proceeds from National Geographic Partners LLC will be used to fund science, exploration, conservation and education through significant ongoing contributions to the work of the National Geographic Society. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Media Contacts

Jonathan Bing
Fox Networks Group
jonathan.bing@fox.com
310-369-1274

Beth Furtwangler
National Geographic Partners
beth.furtwangler@natgeo.com
202-457-8223