KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scripps Networks Interactive today announced the creation of a new international leadership position with Derek Chang being promoted to Head of International Lifestyle Channels. Chang, currently Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, will continue to report to Jim Samples, President, International, and will relocate to London in July.
“Since joining Scripps Networks nearly three years ago, Derek has demonstrated a steady track record of building value for the company. We are confident that he is well suited to unlock untapped potential in the international marketplace,” said Samples.
In this new role, Chang will be responsible for leading and setting the strategic direction for the company’s international owned and operated lifestyle channels. Phillip Luff, Managing Director, UK & EMEA, and Eduardo Hauser, Managing Director, Latin America and the Caribbean will report to Chang. He will also continue to directly manage the Asia-Pacific operations.
“We have a world class international senior leadership team driving the growth and expansion of Scripps Networks Interactive’s international business. Derek’s appointment to head up the regional teams headquartered in London, Singapore, and Miami reflects our commitment to building out our lifestyle channel portfolio across the globe,” said Samples.
Since launching the international channels business in 2009, the International Lifestyle Channels division now distributes seven entertainment brands including Asian Food Channel, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, Fine Living, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel reaching nearly 165 million households in more than 175 countries and territories across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. The company’s leading lifestyle networks draw from more than 35,000 hours of original lifestyle series produced in the U.S. and around the world.
Since joining the company, Chang has successfully led the integration of Asian Food Channel into the Scripps Networks fold; introduced and launched HGTV, the company’s third global flagship, across Asia-Pacific and established the channel as the #1 lifestyle channel in Singapore. He also developed Scripps Networks’ unique entry strategy into Australia via free-to-air with significant branded output deals across all three categories – resulting in the launch of SBS Food Network as well as HGTV and Travel Channel programming blocks on 9Life.
Prior to joining Scripps Networks, Chang was Executive Vice President of Content Strategy and Development at DIRECTV, where he was responsible for all content acquisition, original productions and programming operations. In addition, he managed DIRECTV’s regional sports networks and its advertising sales business. Preceding DIRECTV, Chang held senior executive roles at Charter Communications, The Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network (YES Network), GlobalCenter and TCI Communications/AT&T Broadband. He also served on the Board of Directors of Starz in 2013. Chang holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in History from Yale University.
About Scripps Network Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (Nasdaq: 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 engage more than 190 million U.S. consumers each month. International operations include TVN, Poland’s premier multi-platform media company; UKTV, an independent commercial joint venture with BBC Worldwide; Asian Food Channel, the first pan-regional TV food network in Asia; and lifestyle channel Fine Living Network. The company’s global networks and websites reach millions of consumers across North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, please visit http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com.
