Discovery Communications said it has added C-SPAN Co-CEO Susan Swain to its board of directors, effective in December.
“Susan Swain has a proven track record of leadership at a highly respected multichannel media organization, as well as decades of accomplishments in strategic operations, consumer engagement and branding,” said Discovery chairman Robert Miron in a statement. “Her skills and expertise honed at C-SPAN will add tremendous value to Discovery’s board as we look to move the company forward in this time of enormous change and opportunity across the industry.”
At C-SPAN, Swain manages content strategy and programming for the public affairs network’s three TV channels, radio station and websites, as well as marketing and education outreach efforts. She joined C-SPAN in 1982 and assumed her current role as co-CEO of C-SPAN in 2012, after having served as president and co-chief operating officer since 2006.
“A strong executive and accomplished cable programmer and author, Susan is a fantastic addition to Discovery’s well-regarded board of directors,” said Discovery CEO David Zaslav in a statement. “We welcome her unique perspective, governance and operating expertise as Discovery continues to grow and diversify in new content and digital platforms around the world.”
Swain also brings several years of corporate governance and board experience to Discovery. She currently serves as an officer of National Cable Satellite Corporation, as a trustee of the C-SPAN Education Foundation and as a board member of the National Press Foundation. She also served as a director of The Talbots, Inc. from 2001 and chairperson of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee until the corporation ceased to be a public company in 2012.
“Discovery Communications has a stellar reputation as a well-run, forward-thinking media company,” Swain said in a statement. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working closely with senior leadership and the company’s long-standing dedicated board to help shape the company’s future.”
