Discovery Communications Announces Merck Marketing Executive Leonard J. Tacconi as New President of Discovery Health Media

Discovery Communications Announces Merck Marketing Executive Leonard J. Tacconi as New President of Discovery Health Media

-- Launched in July 2006, Discovery Health Media Enterprises Provides Centralized Online, Television and Mobile Health Community for Consumers --

SILVER SPRING, Md., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Health and pharmaceutical industry veteran Leonard J. Tacconi has been named president of Discovery Communications, Inc.'s Discovery Health Media Enterprises. In this leadership position, Tacconi will oversee all aspects of the strategic growth and development of the company's newly formed multiplatform healthcare media business. Tacconi joins Discovery Communications after a 22-year career with Merck & Company and Weight Watchers International.

"Len's extensive experience in building the businesses of some the health industry's biggest names will be vital as we aggressively extend the Discovery Health brand beyond television," said John Hendricks, Discovery Communications' founder and chairman. "Under Len's leadership, Discovery Health will continue to grow as the most trusted media source that enables consumers to better manage their families' health and wellness needs."

Effective immediately, Tacconi assumes responsibility for the strategic, operational and financial management of Discovery Health Media and its multiple businesses units, including the Discovery Health Channel, FitTV, www.discoveryhealth.com, Discovery Health's Continuing Medical Education (CME) business and a new stand-alone video on demand (VOD) service, Discovery Health On-Call.

"I am thrilled to join Discovery at such an opportune time for the healthcare industry. Now more than ever, people are taking more of an active role in managing their health and wellness, so it's important that the information they seek is available on demand," said Tacconi. "It is my goal to further Discovery Health's position as a trusted partner in providing independent, high-quality information across current and emerging media channels."

Most recently, Tacconi served as executive director of corporate marketing for Merck & Company in Whitehouse Station, N.J. In this role, Tacconi oversaw global Corporate Reputation Management. He also led Merck's U.S. consumer marketing, physician marketing, business technology, external corporate communication and Merck publishing functions. Recruited by Merck in 1996, Tacconi pioneered Merck's Consumer Marketing function and created the company's first Corporate Reputation effort, as well as its first Corporate Social Responsibility report.

During his tenure at Merck, Tacconi co-authored a strategic plan on the emerging role of the consumer in healthcare, identifying key trends and opportunities for the company, and led the charge on consumer acquisition and retention programs for 10 company medicines.

Prior to joining Merck, Tacconi worked in numerous capacities at Weight Watchers International, where he led the North American marketing function for weight loss services and products, including the development of service system design, pricing and licensing. He was also chief operating officer of a two- state franchise. Tacconi began his career in financial services.

Tacconi earned both his bachelor of science and master of science degrees in marketing from St. John's University in New York. He will be based at Discovery Communications' global headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.

Built upon a highly trusted brand, Discovery Health Media provides access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for research tools, expert advice and customized products and services to give consumers the most relevant and credible health and medical information. Discovery Health Media is comprised of the Discovery Health Channel and FitTV television networks and online assets including www.discoveryhealth.com, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business. This October, the new unit will launch Discovery's first stand-alone VOD service, Discovery Health On-Call, as an additional media platform, and will continue to identify new products and services under Tacconi's leadership.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media company with operations in 170 countries and territories reaching 1.4 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 28 trusted brands including Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and COSMEO, a revolutionary online homework help service, as well as Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. Discovery brings the real world to the whole world through its global multiplatform initiatives including Discovery Travel Media, Discovery Mobile and multiple broadband services. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ:DISCA)(NASDAQ:DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman. More information about Discovery and its businesses can be found at www.discovery.com.

Source: Discovery Health Media Enterprises

CONTACT: Reenie Kuhlman, +1-240-893-9971, or
Reenie_Kuhlman@discovery.com, or Bryan Hughes, +1-240-662-6509, or
Bryan_Hughes@discovery.com, both of Discovery Health Media Enterprises

Web site: http://www.discovery.com/
http://www.discoveryhealth.com/

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