trending Market Intelligence /marketintelligence/en/news-insights/trending/wuki448kn5ghiqgloph1uw2 content esgSubNav
In This List

SeaWorld CEO steps down; Comcast loses Xfinity Home head

Blog

Europe: 5 key OTT trends to watch in 2022

Blog

Broadcast deal market recap 2021

Blog

Price wars in India: Disney+ Hotstar vs. Amazon Prime Video vs. Netflix

Blog

Volume of Investment Research Reports on Inflation Increased in Q4 2021


SeaWorld CEO steps down; Comcast loses Xfinity Home head

S&P Global Market Intelligence presents a weekly rundown of executive changes in the U.S. media and communications industries.

TOP STORIES

* Joel Manby stepped down as president and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. The company's board tapped John Reilly, SeaWorld's chief parks operations officer, to serve as interim CEO of the company until a replacement is named, according to a Feb. 27 SEC filing. The board has engaged an executive search firm to assist in the search for a new CEO.

* Dan Herscovici, the former senior vice president and general manager of Comcast Corp.'s Xfinity Home, is no longer with the company, Multichannel News reported Feb. 22, citing a company confirmation. The company tapped Dennis Mathew to lead the Xfinity Home business. Mathew has previously served the company as president of wholesale and vice president of new business. The company reportedly did not disclose the reason behind Herscovici's departure.

Media industry moves

* The U.K.'s Cineworld Group plc on Feb. 28 completed its acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group for about $3.6 billion. Nisan Cohen was named president and CEO of Regal, while Vincent Fusco was named senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Cohen has been serving Cineworld as CFO and a member of its board. Fusco previously served Regal as vice president, controller since 2002.

* All For One Media Corp. appointed Howard Kra COO of the company, according to a Feb. 28 news release. Kra's experience spans Wall Street, private investment firms and his own startup companies.

* Private equity firm Francisco Partners struck a deal to buy a controlling equity stake in Discovery Education Inc. from Discovery Communications Inc. for $120 million in cash, according to a Feb. 26 news release. Discovery Education's current management team, led by Bill Goodwyn as president and CEO, will operate the company as a stand-alone business upon the closing of the transaction.

* Dana Landry is stepping down as CEO of DHX Media Ltd. to pursue other projects. The company said Feb. 26 that it tapped Executive Chairman Michael Donovan as the new CEO. Also, Doug Lamb succeeded Keith Abriel, who is leaving the company, as the new CFO. Lamb previously was executive vice president and CFO of Postmedia Network Inc.

* Liz Gateley is stepping down from her role as head of programming for A+E Networks' Lifetime Television (US) to focus on her family, Variety reported Feb. 22, citing a memo sent to Gateley's staff. The network promoted Tanya Lopez to executive vice president of movies, limited series and original movie acquisitions for Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network. Lopez previously served as senior vice president of original movies for Lifetime. Additionally, Gena McCarthy will now serve as executive vice president and head of programming for Lifetime Unscripted and head of programming for fyi, in addition to her role as executive vice president of programming for fyi. She was previously Lifetime's senior vice president of reality and alternative programming. Meanwhile, Joanna Klein will continue to manage Lifetime's scripted series.

Communications industry moves

* Zayo Group Holdings Inc. on Feb. 28 completed its acquisition of Spread Networks LLC, a privately owned telecommunications provider that operates an 825-mile, high-fiber count long haul route connecting New York and Chicago. As a result of the deal, Zayo will introduce a stand-alone business unit, Spread Networks by Zayo, which will be reported under its Fiber Solutions business segment. The unit will have Brandon Gouin as general manager, with members of Spread Networks joining the Zayo team.