Discovery's Homegrown Talent
by K.C. Neel -- Multichannel News, 11/16/2008 7:00:00 PM
Eileen O'Neill has spent her entire career at Discovery Communications, but no one can say it hasn't been diverse.
O'Neill, recently named president and general manager of TLC, started working for Discovery Communications as an unpaid intern during graduate school. During her tenure, she has worked in operations, business affairs, scheduling, production management and programming, among other fields. She made several horizontal and vertical moves throughout her career and has run a number of Discovery's brands.
“Discovery's management has always been supportive of me and my career,” she said. “I have a number of moves that have helped me become a better executive. Some of the moves I asked for and others they initiated. But happily, they've all worked out well for everyone.”
Said Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav: “Eileen O'Neill is a proven cable programmer, who leads by example and is always ready to meet any challenge. From developing signature Discovery programming such as Jon & Kate Plus 8, to delivering one of the most successful network introductions in Planet Green, to her current role as president and general manager of TLC, Eileen has demonstrated an exceptional ability to understand what viewers want. She is a true emerging star in the cable industry, and we are proud to be able to claim her as a homegrown Discovery Communications talent.”
O'Neill oversaw the strategic development and launch of Planet Green, a debut that The New York Times called “the highest-profile launch of the year.” She is credited with launching the network from the ground up in less than 12 months, and with more than 250 hours of all-original programming.
She drew an authoritative and diverse group of celebrities and personalities including Adrian Grenier, Tom Bergeron, Emeril Lagasse, Maria Menounos, Tom Brokaw and Bob Woodruff to share their passion for the planet through a host of entertaining series and specials.
O'Neill also served as executive vice president and general manager of Discovery Health Channel. In 2007, she simultaneously ran Discovery Health and TLC on an interim basis during a period of management transition at the latter.
“That was very intense, but it was a very good experience because when I came back to TLC, I had a running start,” O'Neill said.
O'Neill reluctantly gave up the helm of Planet Green but she is thrilled with her new position as president and general manager of TLC, a brand she is planning to grow and expand significantly going forward.
“It was hard giving up Planet Green. It was my baby,” she said. “It all happened so quickly. But I am proud of what we were able to create there and I think the opportunities for TLC are tremendous.”
O'Neill has been very successful in climbing Discovery's corporate ladder, but she hasn't taken advantage of many of the company's — or the industry's — myriad formal leadership or mentoring programs designed to help advance women in the workplace. Still, she said she has had plenty of support in carving out her career.
“I've just been too busy [to participate in formal mentoring or leadership programs],” she said. “I haven't had a steady position at Discovery long enough to really take advantage of programs like the Betsy Magness Institute. I am hoping that my tenure at TLC enables me to participate in that program. Everyone who has ever been there says it's a phenomenal experience.”
Rather than formal mentoring, O'Neill said she has benefited from informal mentoring throughout her professional life and has closely watched her co-workers and bosses for tips and ways to improve her leadership acumen and skills.
Indeed, Discovery's open-door policies and camaraderie means O'Neill has most likely benefited from the experience and others have benefited from hers as well, even if they don't recognize it right away, said Discovery Communications executive vice president of human resources Adria Alpert-Romm.
O'Neill described herself as “homegrown talent,” having started at Discovery Communications as an intern while earning a graduate degree in popular culture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Having successfully developed a programming library that earned the respect of her bosses, she was hired by Discovery's operations department upon graduation. It's been a roller-coaster ride ever since.
In addition to launching Planet Green and running TLC, Discovery Health earned record ratings in all dayparts, including the strongest delivery ever during August 2005 under her watch. Standout shows developed under her leadership include Mystery Diagnosis, Dr. G. Medical Examiner and Jon & Kate Plus 8, now the top-rated series on TLC.
O'Neill's experience at Discovery Health gave her an appreciation for the medical community and the work they do every day.
“I would sit at my desk sometimes and just marvel at what they could do and the lives they saved every day,” she said. At the same time, programming Planet Green was a joy because the environment and its health are issues O'Neill has long been interested in and cared about.
Prior to joining Discovery Health, O'Neill was director of scheduling for Travel Channel, and had earlier served as Discovery Communications' director of business affairs, responsible for all contract negotiations concerning co-productions, commissioned programming and original work for Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet.
“Discovery took a leap of faith when they put me in scheduling, which is quite complex,” O'Neill said. “But they had faith that I could handle it and I did. And that experience, as well as all the others I have had over the years, has helped mold me and prepare me for the role I have today.”
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