Motor Trend Group revs up CNN hire

US factual giant Discovery has appointed a CNN Worldwide exec to run its automotive media brand Motor Trend Group.

Alex Wellen

Alex Wellen will become president and general manager of the company on July 1 and will be responsible for all functions of the business. He will also manage Motor Trend Network (currently known as Velocity), with the rebrand debuting in the autumn.

Wellen joins Discovery following 12 years with CNN Worldwide, where he most recently served as global chief product officer.

His career has spanned executive roles across digital and linear television in product, technology, strategy, revenue, business operations and programming.

As global chief product officer, he set the vision for CNN’s mobile, web, data, video, OTT and connected TV platforms, and delivered new products across traditional, digital and emerging businesses, including CNNgo.

While at CNN, Wellen also served as senior executive producer, spearheading the strategy to integrate television programming, editorial content and products across all platforms and devices.

Bob Scanlon, president and general manager of Motor Trend Network and Automotive Content for Motor Trend Group, will report to Wellen at the company’s headquarters in El Segundo, California.