Duccio Donati has been appointed to take on the newly created role of EVP, Lifestyle & Kids, NBCUniversal International.
Reporting to Kevin MacLellan, shairman, Global Distribution & International, NBCUniversal, he will broaden his on-going oversight of E! Entertainment Television (outside the US), adding international responsibility for DreamWorks channel: the premium kids’ brand featuring beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation (DWA).
Furthermore, Donati will collaborate with leaders across NBCUniversal’s international businesses to maximise the full range of NBCU’s lifestyle and kids’ assets, including E!, Bravo, Oxygen and DreamWorks. He will explore opportunities to drive expansion of US brands and ventures across these genres in each of NBCUniversal’s three regional hubs across international covering EMEA, Latin America and APAC.
Commenting on the appointment, MacLellan said: “Taking a portfolio approach to managing these two key genres aligns with NBCU’s organizational approach to cable brands in the US, Duccio is uniquely positioned to take on this role having had extensive commercial and operational experience across both the licensing and channels business, a track record of success with E! International and an established role connecting NBCU’s international and US brand teams.”
Donati added: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to help drive growth and maximum value for our lifestyle and kids brands and content. It’s particularly compelling to take on responsibility for DreamWorks channel – working with the talented DreamWorks team and with the brand’s beloved children’s content and characters – as we focus on deepening relationships with our customers and partners.”
Donati has held the role of EVP, E! & Style since July 2013, when he returned to LA from London, where he was based from 2011-13 with responsibility for all commercial aspects of the NBCUniversal’s international channels’ portfolio. He joined Comcast’s international organisation in 1999, covering a number of commercial and operational roles and became EVP, Comcast International Media Group in January 2010, where he oversaw all aspects of the international division’s properties.
