KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--James B. Clayton, a member of the original management team that launched HGTV and developed the network into a permanent fixture on the global media landscape, has been named to oversee corporate giving and community relations for Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (NYSE: SNI).
As the company’s newly appointed executive vice president of corporate giving and community relations, Clayton will oversee the company’s global, national and local philanthropy. He will be responsible for developing strategies and protocols for the company’s corporate giving, as well as serving as the primary liaison and philanthropic contact for civic and community leaders in Knoxville, New York City and other locations where the company has operations.
Clayton will report to Kenneth W. Lowe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the company.
“We believe deeply in giving back to our many communities,” Lowe said. “Through our corporate philanthropy, we support causes that strive to improve the quality of life of those who are less fortunate and to make our hometowns, our countries and the world better places to live. As our lead community relations and corporate giving officer, Jim Clayton will make certain that our philanthropy is effective and wisely directed.”
An executive vice president of the company, Clayton brings solid financial credentials and experience to his new role. For the past three years he has helped guide planning and long-range strategy for the company as a member of the executive leadership team. He previously served as executive vice president of finance, business affairs and chief financial officer for Scripps Networks when it was an operating division of The E. W. Scripps Company.
Clayton joined Scripps Networks in 1994 when E. W. Scripps acquired Cinetel Productions in Knoxville, where Clayton had been serving in a lead finance role for five years. Scripps Networks Interactive became an independent, publicly traded company in 2008.
“We engage media consumers every day with entertaining, inspirational and informative television programming that focuses on home and food, two of life’s basic necessities,” Clayton said. “It’s a natural extension of our business mission to align our philanthropy with organizations that combat hunger and help people in need find safe homes of their own. We also believe in being good corporate citizens by supporting non-profit organizations that enrich and make a difference in our local communities. Compassion and shared responsibility are two of our core values at Scripps Networks Interactive, and we strive to reflect those values through our commitment to corporate giving.”
Clayton has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee.
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) is one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms. The company's lifestyle media portfolio comprises popular television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country, which collectively reach more than 170 million consumers each month. Companion websites complement on-air programming with video and social media that inform and inspire. Scripps’ global networks reach millions of consumers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, please visit http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com.
