Investigation Discovery Promotes Bennett To GM

Investigation Discovery has tapped veteran Discovery Communications executive Kevin Bennett as its new general manager, the network announced Thursday.

Bennett, a 16-year veteran of Discovery, will add the day-to-day duties of running ID to his responsibilities as senior vice president of programming and research for Discovery-owned digital networks ID, Destination America and Military Channel, according to Henry Schleiff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery, Destination America and Military Channel, to whom Bennett reports.

In addition, ID has promoted Jane Latman to senior vice president of development for the network, reporting to Bennett.

“Over the past year, Kevin has been my key business partner for growing ID into the number 10 brand for women and Jane is the creative genius behind so many of our successful and highly addictive series,” said Schleiff in a statement.  “As integral members of my senior management team, and two of the most creative executives I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my career, our phenomenal 42 consecutive months of growth would not have been possible without their leadership and innovation.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.