Discovery ups lifestyle execs

Discovery Networks International has promoted UK and US based senior execs in its lifestyle division.

DNI, which has aggressively been rolling out TLC internationally, has upped Jon Sechrist and Sarah Thornton.

Sechrist will be based in New York and is now VP, production and development at DNI and TLC International. Thornton will be based in London and is now VP, production and development, DNI Lifestyle.

Sechrist will develop and exec produce shows for TLC International and also work across Discovery’s other female-skewing networks: OWN, Discovery Fit and Health, ID: Investigation Discovery and Destination America. He has exec produced TLC shows including Cake Boss and specials including 650lb Virgin.

Thornton will work on TLC international series and work with regional teams across Europe on local production. Previously, she has exec produced shows including the Polish and Norwegian versions of Don’t Tell the Bride and prior to Discovery was at Pineapple Dance Studios producer Pulse Films.

Sechrist will jointly report to Luis Silberwasser, executive VP and chief content officer, DNI, and Julian Bellamy, creative director and head of production and development, DNI. Thornton will continue to report to Bellamy.

“The growth and success of DNI’s production and development unit thus far can be in large part attributed to the strong efforts and solid programming output from both Jon and Sarah,” Luis Silberwasser said. “I look forward to seeing how they continue to shape our commissioning strategies within DNI’s lifestyle portfolio.”