Scripps Networks Interactive said it elevated three executives to larger roles in an attempt to centralize oversight of programming, scheduling and marketing across its portfolio of media outlets.
Allison Page was named to the new position of general manager of U.S. programming. Julie Taylor was named to a new position as senior vice president of program planning and strategy of the company’s U.S. networks. And Shannon Jamieson Driver, who already leads marketing efforts for all six networks, was named general manager of U.S. brand marketing and will add support to the company’s digital outlets along with her responsibilities for its TV networks. They will report to Kathleen Finch, Scripps Networks Interactive’s Chief Programming, Content & Brand Officer (pictured, above).
The move sees Page add leadership of programming for Food Network and Cooking Channel to her existing responsibility for HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Great American Country.
Didi O’Hearn, senior vice president of programming for Food Network & Cooking Channel, will report to Page in her new role. John Feld, senior vice president of programming for HGTV, DIY Network & Great American Country, and Courtney White, senior vice president of programming for Travel Channel, will also continue to report to Page.
“Allison Page is one of the most accomplished programming executives working in television today, with a great track record of success in developing talent and formats across all six of our brands,” said Finch in a prepared statement. “She has been a central player in the incredible success of HGTV over the last few years, and her creativity and leadership will be key to the continued growth and development of all our networks moving forward.” Prior to joining HGTV and DIY Network in 2013, she spent twelve years in programming roles at Food Network. There she helped create hit shows including “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “Chopped,” and was a member of the team behind the successful launch of Cooking Channel.
Taylor has spent more than thirteen years in senior scheduling roles for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country. She joined the company as a production manager for Scripps Productions, supervising budgets and staffing for specials. Prior to joining Scripps Networks, Taylor worked in production roles for WBIR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Driver joined Scripps Networks in 2004 and has served in various roles across the company’s home-related brands, including ad sales marketing, experiential marketing and brand partnerships. She was appointed senior vice president of marketing and creative services for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country in 2014, before being promoted to lead marketing across all of Scripps Networks’ U.S. brands in September 2015. Driver joined the company from the advertising division of leading public relations firm Edelman, where she worked across multiple accounts with clients in healthcare, financial services and consumer goods.
