Discovery Communications, which is in merger talks with Scripps Networks Interactive, expanded its IR unit earlier this month, naming Andrew Slabin to the new post of executive VP-global investment strategy.
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Andrew SlabinWith more than 20 years of buy-side/sell-side analyst and portfolio manager experience specializing in media, entertainment and Internet investments, Slabin is to focus on Discovery’s strategic positioning and build relations with the international investor community.
Slabin, one-time director of equity research at Merrill Lynch, joined Discovery from Toms Capital.
With the recruitment of Slabin, Jackie Burka was upped to Senior VP-IR.
A marriage of $6.5B revenues Discovery with $3.4B Scripps would be the biggest media deal since AT&T's proposed $85B hook-up with Time-Warner.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a combined Discovery/Scripps would provide more heft to compete in the cable TV market, which is under pressure from digital competitors,
The companies abandoned merger talks in 2014.
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