Marjorie Kaplan, Eric Phillips, Rich Ross & Henry Schleiff
Marjorie Kaplan
Title: President, Content, Discovery Networks International
Years in Cable: 20
Education: Brown University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Optimistic
Eric Phillips
Title: President, Domestic Distribution, Discovery Communications
Years in Cable: 16
Education: Oberlin College, BA, ’87; University of Michigan Law School, JD, Law ‘95
One Word That Describes Me: Dedicated
From platforms to programming, Phillips, Ross, Schleiff and Kaplan are key players. Phillips was involved with the comprehensive Comcast renewal agreement, paved the way for a TVE deal with Time Warner Cable, and helped launch Discovery GO. His strong relationships with affiliate partners led to several large-scale affiliate promotions. Promoted in January, Ross delivered on his promise to expand and diversify programming, leading to a 12 percent year-over-year gain in total viewers. In addition to his work on ID, Schleiff championed smaller networks American Heroes Channel and Destination America by creating events like “Red Bandanna Heroes Award” and “Exorcism LIVE!” Kaplan’s recent promotion has her overseeing global brands across all platforms. Her purview includes TLC’s hits “I Am Jazz” and “My Big Fat Fabulous Life,” and Animal Planet’s “The Last Alaskans.”
Rich Ross
Title: Group President, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet & Science Channel
Years in Cable: 23
Education: JD, Fordham University; BA, University of Pennsylvania
One Word that Best Describes Me: Decisive
Henry Schleiff
Title: Group President, Discovery Networks, Investigation Discovery, Destination America and American Heroes Channel
Years in Cable: 30+
Education: BA, cum laude, University of Pennsylvania; JD, University of Pennsylvania School of Law
One Word that Best Describes Me: Henry
Marjorie Kaplan
My first job: Researcher on an investigative book about the diamond cartel. Fascinating job, but it meant I didn’t get a diamond engagement ring.
New favorite binge: “Deutschland 83.”
My favorite newfound hobby: Bird watching. This morning I saw swans doing a mating dance. Surprisingly lovely.
Favorite vacation spot: Amagansett
My typical breakfast is: A green drink with chia and hemp protein. I know it sounds awful, but I love it.
Eric Phillips
Virtual reality is… A cool way to see the world
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “House of Lies”
My first job: BeMo Potato Chip Factory
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Bike
My favorite newfound hobby: Trading baseball and football cards with my kids
Rich Ross
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Master of None” on Netflix
My first job: Talent coordinator, Nickelodeon
Favorite charity event I work with: Fulfillment Fund
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “Survivor” vs. “Amazing Race”
What was the last costume that you wore and why? Shark costume to celebrate our record year for Shark Week
Favorite vacation spot: Italy
My typical breakfast is: Protein shake when in LA / Bagel when in NY
Henry Schleiff
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of The National Lampoon”
Favorite charity event I work with: Inspire a Difference, Investigation Discovery’s charitable partnership with Glamour Magazine where we raise awareness throughout the year about issues such as domestic violence, bullying and civil rights.
If Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… “No one knows anything about this business.” (William Goldman)
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “Wives (and Candidates) With Knives”
The last costume that you wore and why? I dressed up as a priest to support the premiere of “Exorcism: Live On Destination America”: still trying to get the pea soup stains out!
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Watching an ID skit on Saturday Night Live: we’ve had four already!
Favorite Podcast: “Detective”
