G
Gary
Guest
Last week at a Discovery Communications sales conference in Florida,
Billy Campbell tried something different to break up the usual lineup of
pitches and programming reels. He arranged for a survivor from the 1972
plane crash in the Andes Mountains to recount his ordeal for the
assembled employees. Then Campbell took to the stage and spoke movingly
of the importance of perseverance amid hardships, a message those in
attendance understood as applying to pending changes at Discovery.
Now Campbell might be heeding his own advice. He was ousted Monday from
his post as president of Discovery Networks U.S. amid a big shake-up at
the company, along with four other senior executives.
Since joining Discovery Networks in 2002, Campbell presided over a
period of extensive change but strong growth for the channel roster.
Although the hair-raising life and death of Animal Planet star Steve
Irwin provided Campbell with a few public relations challenges, there
were far more highlights during his tenure, including the addition of
hit series like "Monster Garage" and the signing of Lance Armstrong to a
high-profile endorsement deal with Discovery.
Billy Campbell tried something different to break up the usual lineup of
pitches and programming reels. He arranged for a survivor from the 1972
plane crash in the Andes Mountains to recount his ordeal for the
assembled employees. Then Campbell took to the stage and spoke movingly
of the importance of perseverance amid hardships, a message those in
attendance understood as applying to pending changes at Discovery.
Now Campbell might be heeding his own advice. He was ousted Monday from
his post as president of Discovery Networks U.S. amid a big shake-up at
the company, along with four other senior executives.
Since joining Discovery Networks in 2002, Campbell presided over a
period of extensive change but strong growth for the channel roster.
Although the hair-raising life and death of Animal Planet star Steve
Irwin provided Campbell with a few public relations challenges, there
were far more highlights during his tenure, including the addition of
hit series like "Monster Garage" and the signing of Lance Armstrong to a
high-profile endorsement deal with Discovery.
