Discovery appoints Australia and New Zealand boss

Discovery has appointed Rebecca Kent as general manager, Australia and New Zealand, following a nine-month stint doing the job as acting general manager.

Kent will focus on growing Discovery’s existing business in the region, which consists of eight channels in Australia and six channels in New Zealand. 

She will report to James Gibbons, executive vice president, general manager UK, Australia and New Zealand and head of commercial development EMEA.

“I am delighted that Rebecca has agreed to run our Australia and New Zealand business,” said Gibbons. “She has a diverse background, has worked across many different initiatives and markets and has a really strong understanding of the media environment in these important territories which will be instrumental as we work on developing the existing business.”

Kent said: “I’ve really enjoyed managing the Australian and New Zealand markets over these past months and am delighted to take on the role permanently.”

Prior to working as acting general manager of Australia and New Zealand, Kent was Discovery’s vice-president, business transformation and people based in the company’s Singapore office.

Before that she spent three years working for Discovery in London and has also worked at BBC Worldwide and as a management consultant at McKinsey and Company in Australia.