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Dinnage takes global Animal Planet role

Discovery Communications has appointed Susanna Dinnage as global president of Animal Planet, as part of a wider shake-up of the channel’s operations.

Susanna Dinnage

Animal Planet will become the first Discovery brand to be managed on a global basis, aligning all content under Dinnage’s leadership.

The network is currently led in the US by group president Rich Ross and general manager Patrice Andrews. Andrews will leave the company as a result of the reorganisation.

Dinnage is currently president of UK/Ireland and chief content officer for Discovery Networks International. She will continue in that role until a replacement is appointed or the role is split among several executives, C21 understands.

In her new role she will manage a global team based in the US and UK, with contributions from other areas of Discovery’s worldwide business to Animal Planet.

Additionally, she will expand Discovery’s digital business by developing direct-to-consumer products and boost the company’s shortform and mobile output through its own brands and its investment partnership with Group Nine Media-owned animal-focused content provider The Dodo.

Dinnage, who has more than two decades of experience, joined Discovery in 2009. Before her current role she served as general manager of the UK and Benelux businesses. She recently built a partnership with Amazon, launching Discovery and Eurosport on Amazon Channels.

“As Discovery continues to strategically pivot and deliver our content to consumers across all screens and services, it is more important than ever that our brands are structured and managed in a way that best exploits their global potential,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery Communications.

“We are confident that this new global model, combined with Susanna’s expert leadership and the worldwide appeal of our animal content, will maximise Animal Planet’s power across linear channels and create new digital opportunities around the world.”

Dinnage said she was looking forward to “bringing new talent and more adventure and reflecting the worldwide love of animals to every screen on Animal Planet.”

She added: “With a team based in London and New York, this is a great opportunity to work with a wide range of production companies across the world.”

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