Jim Samples, the president of Scripps Networks International, is to become the chairman of the board of the Polish national broadcaster TVN.
He will succeed Joseph G. NeCastro, who is retiring from Scripps Networks Interactive, after 13 years with the Scripps group of media companies during which he has served as chief financial & administrative officer and chief development officer.
NeCastro recently led the acquisition of TVN. He was also instrumental in establishing the company’s commercial joint venture in the UK with BBC Worldwide through the acquisition of the company’s 50% stake in UKTV in 2011.
The company’s international division, headed by Samples, will now report directly to Kenneth W. Lowe, chairman, president and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive.
Mark Hale, executive VP, global operations and CTO, will also report to Lowe, while Scripps Networks’ corporate development and early stage investment strategy will continue to be headed by Julie Yoo, senior VP of corporate development. Yoo will report to CFO Lori Hickok.
Commenting on NeCastro, Lowe said: “Joe NeCastro is a world-class corporate finance and development executive who has been one of the key forces behind the company’s rapid growth into new global markets.
“Our business has undergone transformational international growth over recent years, and has taken its place as the world’s leading lifestyle media company. Joe has helped create tremendous value for the company and its shareholders during his time here, and we are well positioned to build on the achievements of the team over the coming years.”
