Vikki Neil

Vikki Neil serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Discovery’s Digital Studios Group, a hub for digital and social video content creation that supports the company’s growing websites, social, TVE and direct-to-consumer businesses and brands. The group is responsible for the sites, social and platforms for Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, TLC and will create digital original content for all other Discovery brands. Her team is also responsible for digital branded entertainment content and digital creative and audience support of the company’s U.S. Ad Sales division. Prior to Discovery’s acquisition of Scripps Networks, Neil spearheaded the launch of Scripps Lifestyle Studios, positioning the division as a full-service editorial unit to drive digital innovation across multiple platforms while providing advertising solutions. She led the dramatic growth of legacy Scripps’ digital business, highlighted by record-breaking social video views, leading category and award-winning websites and apps for Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel. Neil led a team to launch Genius Kitchen, Scripps Networks’ first food and pop culture focused OTT platform and co-led the acquisition of Spoon University, the food-focused media company aimed at college students. She oversees the HGTV Digital studios and Food Network Kitchen, which was recently transformed into a content and culinary lab. Her digital teams are actively involved in launching digital shows for Facebook and Snapchat, and programming Food Network’s thriving Snapchat Discover channel. Neil launched a panel of lifestyle experts to develop the next generation of lifestyle talent and influencers sourced from social and digital media and expanded the content studios to international markets with a focus on digital marketing, global content production, and diverse talent development. Prior to her role managing Scripps Networks Interactive’s digital properties, Neil spent several years leading the E.W. Scripps newspaper division's classified strategies for real estate, employment and auto categories and support. She also worked for Disney’s media group, focusing on digital product development for ESPN.com, ABCNews.com and the rest of Disney's online portfolio. Neil got her start as the local New Media Director for an ABC station affiliate in Tampa, building one of the first digital news teams in the early days of breaking digital news and for the St. Petersburg Times newspaper.

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