HealthiNation Names New Digital Officer

Digital cable network HealthiNation announced today (Oct. 4) the appointment of digital media expert Doug McFarland to the newly created role of chief digital officer.

McFarland, who most recently was co-CEO of multi-media video advertising company Dimestore Media and has served on HealthiNation's board, will be tasked to oversee digital strategy and operations activities for the 32-million subscriber network.
"While our foundation has been built on trusted medical education programs, our goal is to continue to evolve with our audience as they take steps to be healthier in their daily lives," said Raj Amin, Founder and CEO of HealthiNation in a statement. "Doug's experience as a respected digital media veteran will be a tremendous asset as we craft new digital strategies to reach this broader consumer health audience."
Amin also said the network will announce several new partnerships and a slate of new video programming in the coming weeks in an effort to extend the brand to a broader consumer audience.

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.