Safon Joins Weather Channel

Former HLN head Scot Safon will join The Weather Channel as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, the network announced Monday.

Safon will oversee all aspects of the Weather Channel brand, including marketing, design and creative services. Safon, who will also lead The Weather Company marketing council to ensure consistency across the company’s linear TV and digital brands, will start Dept. 30 and report to TWC president David Clark.

“Scot has an almost legendary track record of building brands that people rely on and trust, making him an ideal fit as we grow our network,” said Clark in a statement. “We couldn't be more excited about the energy and vision he will bring, and we know he will be integral to our future success.”

Safon formerly was executive vice president for CNN, managing the HLN network. He left the company this past August. Last week HLN named Albie Hecht as its executive vice president and general manager.

Overall Safon spent 22 years at Turner –11 at HLN and 11 at TNT, including serving as senior vice president of marketing.

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.