Simon Downing Email & Phone Number

London, GB

London, England, GB

New York City, US

• My role included:
• Defining and setting the marketing and content strategy for both the streaming and linear business in the UK.
• Oversee the end to end marketing process from ideation to implementation.
• Manage and execute all disciplines within the marketing function (creative, media, digital, PR and brand strategy) and maximise the commercial opportunity at every consumer touch point.
• Manage and evolve the master brands and all key IP.
• Oversight of all creative output for the UK business including commercial and corporate.

US

• Head of channel strategy and operations encompassing scheduling, programming, marketing and commercial (linear and non-linear).
• Responsible for a programming budget (commissions and acquisitions) of $28m p.a.
• Planning of a dedicated scheduling and research team with a focus on optimising channel performance.
• Management of Eurosport production facility overseeing all domestic sports production.
• Supported the distribution team by delivering an editorial plan which ensured feeds were optimised and non-linear opportunities maximised. (Eurosport Player and Quest OD)
• Met ad sales revenue targets are exceeded (Quest $60m / Eurosport $15m)

New York, US

• Key Responsibilities:
• Development of pan regional flagship brand strategy.
• Secure buy in and work with key regional stake holders (Local Leadership Teams and GMs)
• Identify and manage pan regional content pillars which support the brand promise.
• Develop and manage the pan region franchise strategy
• Manage the creative process within the UK and maximize sharing pan region.

New York, US

• Manage the brand planning process to ensure optimum positioning in the market relative to the competitor landscape.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the marketing strategy and ensure all commercial and marketing targets are met.
• Development and ongoing management of all brand communications on air, off air, online and mobile.Key achievements include:
• Conceived and launched Quest / Quest Red / Discovery History / Shed.
• Conceived and implemented the UK digital strategy (website and social)
• Oversaw Discovery channel refresh.

London, London, GB

• Primary role was to work alongside programming (Kevin Lygo / Dan Chambers) to clarify the brand positioning and bring the refreshed editorial to life through a new and dynamic channel rebrand.
• Re engineer the brand to appeal to a younger more media savvy demo.
• Create a marketing strategy in conjunction with programming and commercial team to support the broader business strategy.
• Work in conjunction with programming to collectively agree on the key promotional priorities and ensure editorial is consistent with the brand positioning.
• Oversee and develop the digital strategy (online and broadcast services)
• Manage and grow secondary digital revenues Key Achievements Include:

London, England, GB

• Key Responsibilities July 2000 – June 2002
• Develop and implement the marketing strategy for all MTV and VH1 channels in the UK.
• Identify and exploit platform opportunities and ensure delivery was consistent with brand proposition.
• Oversee the interactive operations and ensure brand delivery was consistent across platforms.
• Budget responsibility £2m.
• Develop and implement all trade activity and initiate marketing partnerships with platform operators.

• Management of the broader marketing function, positioning, communications planning, budget management and distribution via retail partners. Key Achievements
• Part of the development team for Grand Theft Auto, also responsible for positioning and launch of the franchise, now the most successful gaming franchise in the world (250m units)
• Managed and launched C&C Red Alert the second most successful PC game in UK in 2000.
• Launched and established some of the most iconic gaming franchises (Mortal Kombat / Turok / Star Trek)

Responsible for identifying new market opportunities throughout the Middle East. Developed marketing entry plans for a successful launch in Romania. Worked in Bangkok on secondment as marketing consultant