LOS ANGELES — Nicole Nichols has been named senior vice president, communications and strategy for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. In her new role, Nichols will serve as chief spokesperson and develop and implement internal and external communications strategies for the multiplatform venture. Nichols joins OWN from Disney/ABC Television Group, where she most recently served as senior vice president, entertainment communications. Nichols, who will report to OWN President Robin Schwartz, will serve as a chief member of the senior team, providing communications counsel on a broad range of business issues and initiatives. She will oversee all media relations efforts and corporate reputation management and will lead the creation and implementation of strategies to promote individual network programming, business initiatives, brand visibility and growth. 

"One of the most respected communications professionals in the industry, Nicole brings a diverse set of skills to OWN, which range from an unparalleled strategic vision to a remarkable talent for implementing a strong corporate image, all of which will be invaluable to our mission," Schwartz said. "Nicole shares our goal to make OWN a multiplatform venture designed to empower, entertain and uplift." 

Nichols joins OWN from Disney/ABC Television Group where she served since 2005 as senior vice president, entertainment communications, responsible for strategic communications efforts for five business units in the television group, including ABC Entertainment, ABC Daytime, ABC Studios, ABC Family and SOAPnet. From 2002–2005 she was vice president, corporate communications and publicity, ABC Family. Before that, she held various corporate communications and public relations positions at Fox Family Worldwide, leading public relations efforts for Fox Family Channel and Fox Kids Network. She previously worked as director of publicity for Saban Entertainment, developing all campaigns for Saban’s children’s series. Nichols began her career in communications in account service positions at Lucio Public Relations and Bender, Goldman & Helper, Inc.

Nichols earned a bachelor of arts from California State University–San Bernardino. Among her industry associations and memberships, Nichols is an elected officer for the Television Publicity Executives Committee. She will be based at OWN headquarters in Los Angeles effective September 15, 2008.

About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About Harpo 
Harpo Productions, Inc. produces the number one–rated, award-winning The Oprah Winfrey Show; creates and develops original TV programming for primetime, syndication and cable television; and operates Oprah.com (www.oprah.com), a premier lifestyle website. Harpo Print, LLC and Hearst Magazines publish the monthly O, The Oprah Magazine and quarterly O at Home publications. Harpo Films, Inc. produces feature films as well as top-rated telefilms under the "Oprah Winfrey Presents" banner. Harpo Radio, Inc. produces Oprah Radio (Channel 156) on Sirius XM Radio. Harpo, Inc. also has partnered with Discovery Communications to launch a new cable network, The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2009.

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