Phil Craig resigns from Discovery

Discovery Networks International’s chief creative officer Phil Craig has resigned from his post after just ten months.

Craig plans to go back to his roots as an independent producer, according to a statement from DNI issued yesterday.

His exit as CCO and executive VP comes after DNI moved US-based executive Marjorie Kaplan into a president of content role, with Craig then reporting into her.

“Phil Craig has decided to step down from his role as executive VP and chief creative officer with Discovery Networks International, and go back to his roots as a leading independent producer,” the Discovery statement read.

“He enjoyed creative success at DNI and shepherded several series and specials that will hit the air in 2016, including a ground breaking natural history series Life of Dogs, and played a key role in bringing the critically acclaimed film Sherpa to Discovery. DNI’s production and development team thanks Phil for his service and dedication and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Craig had joined Discovery’s international channels business after a period as head of factual at Australian pubcaster the ABC. Before that, he worked at indie Nutopia and was a producer for the BBC.

The Hollywood Reporter first broke the story of his Discovery departure.