Sprout picks Perez for programming

US children’s cablenet Sprout has appointed the former acting general manager and VP of programming at Discovery Kids to a newly created role at the channel.

Dea Connick Perez

Dea Connick Perez has joined Sprout as VP of programme strategy and acquisitions, reporting to Amy Friedman, senior VP of programming, who joined Sprout last year.

Perez will lead programming and scheduling strategy for Sprout to grow the network’s cross-platform viewership. The exec was formerly principal of Dea Connick Perez Media Consultancy, where she oversaw acquisitions and programming strategy for the Qubo Channel and Ion Life.

Prior to that, she was at Discovery Kids Media as acting general manager and VP of programming. She also served as VP of programming and acquisitions at Cartoon Network, and was director of acquisitions for Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite and TV Land for 11 years.

The appointment is one of three at Sprout that Frances Berwick, president of parent company NBCUniversal’s lifestyle networks, has made so far in 2017.

Chanon Cook has been named VP of insights and strategy, having most recently been VP of research and analytics for comedy network IFC.

Cook will lead and manage Sprout’s research team, advising the network’s programming and marketing teams and reporting to Berwick.

Meanwhile, Shane Lindley has been named in the new role of VP of digital, in which he will oversee Sprout’s digital business and create experiences for the preschool audience across all digital platforms.

Lindley comes from US pay network Epix, where he was senior director of digital programming and product. He has also held roles at DreamWorks, The Walt Disney Company and BBC Children’s Interactive. Lindley reports to Jennifer Giddens, senior VP of marketing and digital.

“It is a dynamic time at Sprout as we continue to grow both in viewership and content, and now more than ever, it’s critical we provide our youngest viewers with seamless multi-platform experiences,” said Berwick.

“As we looked across the business, we made the decision to bolster our senior management across two vital functions. These new roles will help us continue our growth trajectory and launch each new show in the best possible way, while ensuring our insights team has smart, seasoned leadership to continue to inform network strategy.”