SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Communications, the number-one nonfiction media company, today announced that Patrick Gates has been promoted to the position of president and general manager of Discovery Commerce. Gates has served most recently as interim president and general manager of the division. The announcement was made today by Mark Hollinger, president, Global Business and Operations, to whom Gates will report.

In his new role, Gates will provide the strategic vision for the Discovery Commerce division, which comprises home video, licensing and direct-to- consumer sales. His immediate focus will be to develop selling strategies that align with each network's brand and programming initiatives, with an emphasis on growing the division's core businesses.

Gates has made an enormous impact on the company since his 2005 arrival. As executive vice president and general manager of the Consumer Direct unit of Commerce, he led the strategy that generated a two-fold growth in that business, which includes ecommerce, catalog and television commerce. Most recently as interim president of Commerce, Gates oversaw the streamlining of operations and the shift in focus from a bricks-and-mortar foundation to an online and licensing growth strategy, while continuing to post record gains for the division.

"Patrick has provided steady leadership to the Commerce business during a critical time" said Mark Hollinger, president global business and operations. "His experience and business acumen have already delivered for Discovery in his role as EVP and interim president, and I look forward to working with him at the helm to develop new ways to drive growth and profitability."

A 25-year retail veteran, Gates' experience includes senior leadership positions in marketing, merchandising and e-commerce with some of the industry's most influential brands, including Neiman Marcus, Barney's New York, QVC and HSN. Just prior to joining Discovery, Gates worked at AOL Time Warner, where he was senior vice president for commerce, leading the company's direct marketing and retail advertising groups. During his tenure he consolidated all of AOL's brands under one commerce platform, and pioneered many of AOL's ground-breaking and profitable e-commerce marketing and merchandising initiatives -- all of which helped significantly grow the business.

"Creating the vision and growing the Consumer Direct business has been extremely rewarding," Gates said. "I am excited by the opportunity to find innovative ways to reinforce and monetize the Discovery brand."

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks are led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and HD Theater, with digital media properties including HowStuffWorks.com. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. DISCA DISCB, Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

Source: Discovery Communications