Discovery Communications promotes James Rosenstock to President, Discovery Education International
Discovery Communications has elevated James Rosenstock to the newly created position of President, Discovery Education International, leading the development and execution of the international growth strategy for the company’s fast-growing Discovery Education division. Bill Goodwyn, President and CEO of Discovery Education and Strategic Distribution for Discovery Communications, made the announcement. Discovery Education is the leading provider of standards-based digital content to K-12 classrooms in the U.S.
“With many international education systems at a critical, transformational stage in the adoption of new technology, we believe it’s the right time to put an increased focus on Discovery’s efforts to improve student achievement through digital learning solutions around the world,” said Goodwyn, to whom Rosenstock reports. “Jay’s extensive expertise and knowledge of the international marketplace, and most importantly, his passion for our education business, makes him a tremendous asset and the right executive to lead the development and operation of Discovery Education’s international business.”
As a critical part of Rosenstock’s new role leading Discovery Education’s international growth strategy, he will oversee the London-based Espresso Education business, for which he led the exploration and acquisition, and was announced separately today. Espresso Education is the leading provider of primary school digital education content in the U.K. The deal marks Discovery’s first education-focused acquisition outside the U.S.
In addition to his Discovery Education International responsibilities, Rosenstock will continue in a dual role as Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Development overseeing global mergers and acquisitions and corporate strategy for Discovery Communications as a whole.
“Jay has been instrumental in driving many of our key growth strategies, including international acquisitions and investments,” added Bruce Campbell, Chief Development Officer and General Counsel, to whom Rosenstock will continue to report for his Corporate Development responsibilities. “This extensive global experience will be key in growing Discovery’s international business as well as expanding Discovery Education’s international footprint.”
In his position as EVP of Corporate Development, Rosenstock has played a key role in the expansion of Discovery’s international operations, including the largest transaction in Discovery’s history with SBS Nordics, a top-three portfolio of television brands across Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland; the investment of a 20% stake in TF1’s Eurosport, a top destination for live sporting action for viewers across Europe and Asia-Pacific; Switchover Media in Italy and its portfolio of four free-to-air channels and one pay-TV channel, making Discovery the third largest broadcaster in the country; and the acquisition of Takhayal Entertainment and its affiliated companies in Dubai and Egypt, including its flagship TV network, Fatafeat, the #1 food network in the Middle East.
Rosenstock also was involved with Discovery’s acquisitions of BBC's 50% interest in Animal Planet International, UK-based independent production company, BettyTV and Revision3, a leading internet TV company; the formation of several pay channel ventures including OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub children’s network, 3net, a 3D channel with Sony and IMAX and the company’s strategic investment in Lumosity, the leader in online brain training.
Prior to joining Discovery in 2007, Rosenstock was an Executive at Sony Corporation of America where he focused on growth investments for the company’s electronics, gaming, and entertainment assets. Prior to Sony, he was an investment banker to the TMT sector, most recently at Credit Suisse.
Rosenstock is a graduate of the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech. He is based in Discovery’s London office.
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