NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PARTNERS ANNOUNCES KEY APPOINTMENTS FOR GLOBAL OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON, DC (June 8, 2016) - In a move to bolster its global operations, National Geographic Partners has announced several key appointments for executives in North and Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The announcement builds on National Geographic's commitment to expand its global reach across all areas of its brand, including its publishing, broadcasting, travel and licensing businesses.

National Geographic reaches more than 670 million people across the globe each month through our media platforms and consumer products, said Ward Platt, Chief Operating Officer for National Geographic Partners. Our challenge is to keep growing that number in a manner that reflects the strength and value of our brand.

As we reviewed our current footprint, we felt it was important to build a strong foundation in our regional markets, so that we could approach the marketplace in a more integrated, consolidated way. These appointments will provide us talent on the ground to help us accomplish that goal.

Lorenzo Orozco has been named General Manager & Senior Vice President for National Geographic Partners, Latin America. Orozco joined FOX International Channels as General Manager, Mexico and doubled revenues in less than four years. He also created an important new digital business, Fox+ Broadband, which provides premium movies and series to viewers via the Internet in Latin America. Orozco will continue to be based in Mexico City and will be responsible for building revenue for National Geographic Partners businesses in Latin America, including Channels, Publishing, Digital and Travel. Orozco will report to Edgar Spielmann, Chief Operating Officer for Fox Networks Group Latin America, in addition to reporting into Platt at National Geographic Partners.

Con Apostolopoulos has been named General Manager & Vice President for National Geographic Partners, Asia Pacific and Middle East. He will manage the National Geographic Partners business in the region, including Publishing, Digital, Kids, Travel and Licensing. Apostolopoulos was previously Vice President of Partnerships for FOX Networks Group Asia Pacific, where he has led regional and global partnership deals across multiple networks with Emirates, Hyundai, Prudential, Honda and more. Apostolopoulos will report to Rohit D'Silva, Executive Vice President, Commercial for Asia for FNG Asia Pacific and Middle East, in addition to reporting into Platt. He will continue to be based in Hong Kong.

Deborah Armstrong, currently Executive Vice President at Fox Networks Group, will add oversight of the National Geographic Partners business in Europe/Africa to her portfolio of responsibilities. Armstrong joined National Geographic Channel in Asia in 1998, and was instrumental in the growth of the channel business in Asia and Europe across various functions including advertising sales, marketing and communications. Armstrong will remain based in London.

Whit Higgins was previously Vice President, Business Development and Global Programming for National Geographic Channels International and has now been promoted to Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development for National Geographic Partners. Higgins was the General Manager for Fox International Channels Finland for four years and launched the FOX FTA channel and National Geographic Channel Finland in the market. Prior to Finland, Higgins was Vice President, Channel Development at FIC Europe - launching new channels in a number of European markets, and a Director in the programming department for National Geographic Channel (US). Higgins will lead a team to support all areas of National Geographic Partners in optimizing the existing business and identifying and developing new business opportunities. Higgins will be based in Washington, DC.

Carlyn Staudt, previously Senior Vice President for National Geographic's International Channel group, has moved into a new role as Senior Vice President, Content Partnerships for National Geographic Partners. Staudt will be responsible for managing National Geographic Partners' relationship with Fox Home Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Film & Television Distribution. In addition, she will manage Cinema Ventures, National Geographic's large-format film business, and digital content syndication opportunities. Staudt will be based in Washington, DC.

About National Geographic Partners LLC

National Geographic Partners LLC, a joint venture between National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox, combines National Geographic television channels with National Geographic's media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic Studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children's media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, catalog, licensing and e-commerce businesses. A portion of the proceeds from National Geographic Partners LLC will be used to fund science, exploration, conservation and education through significant ongoing contributions to the work of the National Geographic Society. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

LINK:	http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/08/national-geographic-par...
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