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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02.11.08

Contacts:

Stephen Wakefield , Discovery Education
240-662-2893
stephen_wakefield@discovery.com

Charlene Blohm, C. Blohm & Associates
608-839-9800
charlene@cblohm.com


Discovery Education Expands Field Teams to Better Serve the Needs of Educators and Administrators Nationwide

New offices and enhanced technical support boost ability to provide personalized solutions

Silver Spring, MD (Feb. 11, 2008) – Discovery Education is expanding its field customer support teams in response to the needs of its rapidly growing customer community. With the addition of new offices in Los Angeles and Charlotte, NC, Discovery Education will now have 6 regional teams across the country to provide educators even more customized educational solutions. Discovery Education also has enlarged its technical and customer service teams, providing all customers immediate access to personalized service.

“Discovery Education is committed to empowering educators with the tools to improve student achievement nationwide,” said Bill Goodwyn, President Discovery Education. “The growth of our field personnel across the country will allow us to expand our ability to serve the needs of teachers in markets both large and small.”

Th e new Field team is led by Mandy Rutkowski, Vice-President, Discovery Education, operating out of the company’s Silver Spring, Md. headquarters. Rutkowski joins Discovery Education from Discovery Communications Domestic Distribution team, where she built an impressive 11-year track record of developing and growing successful client relationships with cable distributors nationwide. Rutkowski has been recognized by numerous cable organizations for her leadership and many contributions to the industry.

Reporting to Rutkowski are six new Field Directors: Michael Botte, Betsy Drennan, Mike Ensign, Holly Fischer, Alex Morrison, and Candace Mowery.

“I couldn’t be happier with the addition of these 6 new Field Directors to our Discovery Education leadership team,” said Eric Phillips, Executive Vice-President, Discovery Education, to whom Rutkowski reports. “Mandy and her team join Johnjoe Farragher, Joel Jacobson and Andy Schaefer in providing top-notch education solu tions and customer service. We are committed to putting this tremendous expertise to work in support of educators across the country.”

  • Michael Botte, Western Region Director. A 10-year veteran of Discovery Communications, Botte has built outstanding rapport with customers as both an Account Manager and Regional Director with the company’s Domestic Distribution team. Botte runs Discovery Education’s new Los Angles office, and manages customer relationships in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.


  • Betsy Drennan, Northeast Region Director. Drennan joined Discovery Education in 2004 as District Sales Manager and in four years has built strong customer relationships across the country representing a variety of Discovery Education services. Drennan continues to operate out of Discovery Education’s Silver Spring office, managing customer relationships in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Yor k, Rhode Island, and Vermont.


  • Mike Ensign, Midwest Region Director. Ensign, a seven year veteran of the educational technology industry, joined Discovery Education in 2003. His experience includes positions with both educational infrastructure and content companies including Blackboard and United Learning. Ensign operates out of Discovery Education’s Evanston office, and manages customer relationships in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.


  • Holly Fischer, South East Region Director. Fischer is joining Discovery Education having previously served as Vice President, Eastern Division of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for AMC Networks. She also has served as an Account Director in Discovery Communication’s Domestic Distribution group. Fischer will be based in Discovery Education’s new Charlotte office, and oversees customer relationships in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolin a, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.


  • Alex Morrison, Mid-Atlantic Region Director. Morrison has a diverse customer relations background in media, having served as Director of Special Markets in Discovery’s Affiliate Sales group and as Director of Client Services at Mind and Media, a web and video communications company. Morrison is based out of Discovery Education’s Silver Spring office and manages customer relationships in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.


  • Candace Mowery, Central Region Director. Prior to joining Discovery Education, Mowery developed outstanding client relations as a Regional Director and Account Director in Discovery Communication’s Domestic Distribution group. Mowery operates out of Discovery Education’s new Charlotte office and her region includes Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.


  • For more information on Discovery Education, Discovery Education services and other programs please visit www.discoveryeducation.com or call 800-323-9084.

    About Discovery Education
    Discovery Communications revolutionized television with the Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the #1 non-fiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com .

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