Discovery Nets integrates units

India, Asia outlets merge

By BOBBIE WHITEMAN

Discovery Networks Intl. is integrating its India and Asia businesses.

Effective July 1, Rahul Johri will become senior VP and country manager for India, reporting to Tom Keaveny, executive VP and managing director of Discovery Networks Asia.

Johri was senior VP of advertising sales in India.

Deepak Shourie, exec VP-managing director of Discovery Networks India, will move into the new role of corporate affairs adviser for the country.

This move recognizes the close alignment, synergies and longstanding partnership between Discovery Networks India and Discovery Networks Asia.

The Indian arm, which launched in 1995 and distributes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Travel & Living to seven territories in the region, will continue to be managed by Johri from Discovery's headquarters in Delhi.

With more than 15 years experience in the Indian media industry, Johri joined Discovery in 2001 from IMG.

Shourie has managed Discovery Networks India since 2001. He oversaw the launch of the company's first international lifestyle channel, Discovery Travel & Living, in India in 2004,

"The integration of our India and Asia operations will position Discovery more competitively in the region by allowing us to collaborate across both businesses and more effectively share content and resources to drive growth," said Discovery Networks Intl. prexy-CEO Greg Ricca.