Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Universal Networks International Appoints Former Nickelodeon UK Executive Nicky Douglas As The New MD For Their UK Channels

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting that Universal Networks International (UNI) has announced that former Nickelodeon UK executive Nicky Douglas will join the company as managing director (MD) of its UK networks, which include Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment, The Style Network and Movies 24. While working at Nick UK, Nicky Douglas was MD of Nickelodeon's joint-venture channels in the UK:
UNI names UK MD

Universal Networks International (UNI) has appointed a former Disney executive as MD of its UK networks, which include Universal Channel, Syfy and E! Entertainment.

Nicky Douglas will report to Duccio Donati, exec VP of UNI, effective immediately. As well as Universal, Syfy and E!, her remit includes The Style Network and Movies 24.

“Nicky’s tremendous range of media experience, brand marketing savvy and strategic focus will complement our ambitions for further evolving the channels’ business of NBCUniversal International in the UK market,” said Donati.

Most recently, Douglas ran her own media consultancy but prior to that was exec VP and MD of Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) and MD of Nickelodeon’s joint-venture channels in the UK. Douglas was also VP of marketing, EMEA, for Turner Entertainment Networks Europe.

C21 reporter
17-04-2013
©C21Media

TAGS: Appointments
PEOPLE: Duccio Donati, Nicky Douglas
COMPANIES: Disney, E!, E! Entertainment, Syfy, Turner Entertainment Networks Europe, UNI, Universal Channel, Universal Networks International, Walt Disney Television International
COUNTRIES: UK
Also, from Broadband TV News:
Universal appoints Douglas as MD, UK

Universal Networks International (UNI) has announced Nicky Douglas will join the company as managing director, UK.

Douglas will have oversight of UNI’s portfolio of channels in the UK, reporting into Duccio Donati, EVP, Universal Networks International. Douglas’ appointment is effective immediately.

Donati commented: “Nicky’s tremendous range of media experience, brand marketing savvy and strategic focus will complement our ambitions for further evolving the channels’ business of NBCUniversal International in the UK market, to the benefit of our viewers and platform partners.”

In her new role, Douglas will have oversight of Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network and Movies 24, leading the UK team’s effort to optimise the performance of UNI’s channel business in this strategic market.

Most recently, Douglas led her own consultancy business. Previous to this, she was EVP/MD Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific), MD of the Nickelodeon’s JV business in the UK and VP, marketing, EMEA for Turner Entertainment Networks Europe.

Douglas added: “I am incredibly excited to join the UK business of Universal Networks International and work with the team on maximizing the exciting range of high-quality content across UNI’s compelling channel brands.”
Also, from Deadline.com:
Universal Networks International Appoints Nicky Douglas As Managing Director UK

Former Walt Disney Television International and Nickelodeon exec Nicky Douglas will oversee Universal Networks International’s Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network and Movies 24 in the UK. The group of channels has been ramping up its business in the territory with a series of significant deals. Universal Channel just acquired A&E Network’s Bates Motel for two seasons and launched TNT’s Major Crimes as part of an exclusive pact. Syfy premiered drama series Defiance yesterday, 24 hours after its U.S. bow. Douglas most recently had her own consulting firm and will start her new job immediately.
Also, from TBI Vision:
UNI appoints new UK MD

Universal Networks International has appointed a former Disney and Turner executive as to become its UK MD and oversee its local channels business.

Nicky Douglas has taken on the role and will report into UNI’s executive VP Duccio Donati, effective immediately.

This gives her oversight of Universal Channel, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network, Movies 24 and Syfy, the latter of which last night premiered its latest big budget scripted series, Defiance, just 24 hours after the US debut.

Douglas most recently led her own consultancy business, working with business from the media, entertainment, publishing, theatre, retail and not-for-profit sectors on strategic business and marketing strategies. Prior to that, she was Walt Disney Television International’s executive VP and MD for Asia Pacific. She was also MD of Nickelodeon UK and worked in senior positions for Turner Entertainment Networks Europe.

Donati said: “Nicky’s tremendous range of media experience, brand marketing savvy and strategic focus will complement our ambitions for further evolving the channels’ business of NBCUniversal International in the UK market, to the benefit of our viewers and platform partners.”
Also, from Televisual:
Universal Networks appoints md for the UK

Universal Networks International (UNI) has named Nicky Douglas as managing director, UK.

Douglas will oversee UNI’s portfolio of channels in the UK, reporting into Duccio Donati, evp, Universal Networks International.

Douglas most recently led her own consultancy business, guiding on strategic business and marketing strategies. Before this, Douglas was evp/md Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) and md of Nickelodeon’s JV business in the UK, where she oversaw the commercial, content and technical operations, including the launch of Nick Toons UK.

“Nicky’s tremendous range of media experience, brand marketing savvy and strategic focus will complement our ambitions for further evolving the channels’ business of NBCUniversal International in the UK market," says Donati.

In her new role, Douglas will oversee Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network and Movies 24.

UNI’s UK portfolio has recently seen brand makeovers for E! with its 'Pop of Culture' tagline in late 2012 and the refresh of Style – coupled with its launch on Virgin – in March 2013.

Syfy’s biggest-ever campaign is currently underway for the fantasy sci-fi drama Defiance, which premiered this week, 24 hours after the US premiere. Meanwhile, Universal Channel has recently secured new content including the UK premiere of Bates Motel and UK television rights for the recently launched US drama Major Crimes.
Also, from Realscreen:
Universal Networks Int’l names UK MD

Universal Networks International (UNI) has named Nicky Douglas (pictured) as its UK MD, overseeing a portfolio of British channels including Syfy, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network, Universal Channel and Movies 24.

Douglas will report to UNI exec VP Duccio Donati, effective immediately. Prior to taking on the role, Douglas ran her own consultancy, before which she held roles at firms including Disney, Nickelodeon and Turner.

In a statement, Donati said: “Nicky’s tremendous range of media experience, brand marketing savvy and strategic focus will complement our ambitions for further evolving the channels’ business of NBCUniversal International in the UK market, to the benefit of our viewers and platform partners.”

Douglas added: “I am incredibly excited to join the UK business of Universal Networks International and work with the team on maximizing the exciting range of high-quality content across UNI’s compelling channel brands.”

Tags: Duccio Donati, Nicky Douglas, Universal Networks International
Also, from The Hollywood Reporter:
Universal Networks International Appoints U.K. Chief

Former Disney high-flier Nicky Douglas will run the TV networks group, which includes the Universal Channel, Syfy and E! Entertainment.

LONDON -- Universal Networks International (UNI) has hired Nicky Douglas as managing director, U.K.

Douglas will be charged with managing UNI’s portfolio of channels in the U.K., which include Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network and Movies 24.

Douglas will report to Duccio Donati, executive vice president of UNI.

Prior to the hire, Douglas ran her own consultancy business for media, entertainment, publishing, theater, retail and not-for-profit organizations on marketing and business strategies.

Prior to that she was executive vice president and managing director for Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific).
She also had stints with Nickelodeon and Turner Entertainment Networks.

In her new role, Douglas will have oversight of leading the U.K. team’s effort "to optimize the performance of UNI’s channel business in this strategic market," the company said.

UNI’s U.K. portfolio has recently seen brand refreshers for E! and Style -- coupled with the fashion channel's launch on Virgin -- in March 2013.

Syfy’s biggest-ever campaign is currently underway for the epic fantasy sci-fi drama Defiance, which premiered 24 hours after the U.S. premiere.

Universal Channel also recently inked deals for fresh content, including the U.K. premiere of Bates Motel and exclusive U.K. television rights for the recently launched Major Crimes, U.S. cable’s biggest new drama of 2012.

INTERNATIONAL
Also, from Broadcast:
NBCU hires UK managing director

Universal Networks International, the global arm of the Hollywood studio, has hired former BBC and Disney exec Nicky Douglas as managing director of its UK business.

Douglas replaces Laurence Dawkin-Jones, who left the company at the end of March.

Douglas will be in charge of NBC’s international portfolio of channels in the UK including Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment, The Style Network and Movies 24.

She was previously director of marketing, communications and audiences for BBC Vision, a role she performed via her own consulting firm.

Prior to that she was managing director and executive vice president of Disney’s Asian business. Before joining Disney, she was managing director of Nickelodeon in the UK, where she helped launch Nick Toons.

She will report to Duccio Donati, executive vice president, Universal Networks International and joins immediately.

“Nicky’s tremendous range of media experience, brand marketing savvy and strategic focus will complement our ambitions for further evolving the channels’ business of NBCUniversal International in the UK market, to the benefit of our viewers and platform partners,” said Donati.