Lifetime Networks Appoints NBC Universal Executive and Six-Time Emmy Award-Winner Dan Suratt to the Newly Created Position of Executive Vice President, Digital Media and Business Development

NEW YORK, June 8 -- To oversee the expansion of Lifetime Networks' digital media business, the company has named NBC Universal executive Dan Suratt, a key architect in the explosive growth of NBCOlympics.com, to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Digital Media and Business Development, it was announced today by Betty Cohen, President and CEO, Lifetime Entertainment Services.

In his new role, Suratt, who has won six Emmy Awards, will be responsible for the strategic, operational, editorial functions and business development efforts for Lifetimetv.com, Lifetime Wireless Network, and Lifetime Home Entertainment Network, as well as the interactive elements of Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network and Lifetime Real Women.

"We've all seen this year how our entertainment world has been forever changed by the explosion of new media with all its extraordinary possibilities for reaching more consumers," said Cohen. "While at NBC Universal, Dan's outstanding record of creating innovative digital campaigns and forging partnerships with leading companies, demonstrates the talent and experience required to harness all the components of the powerful Lifetime brand into a comprehensive multi-platform business that underscores our role as the leading integrated electronic media company for women."

"There is no greater brand in women's entertainment than Lifetime and I am extremely pleased to join Betty and her team," said Suratt. "The opportunity in front of Lifetime to expand on its digital presence is tremendous and I look forward to leading the development of these platforms and creating the dominant women's destination online."

Suratt will be based in New York and report to Cohen.

As Vice President, Business and New Media Development at NBC Olympics, a position he held since December 2004, Suratt was responsible for all of NBC Olympics business and new media development opportunities and operations, including developing partnerships and new media initiatives across mediums from ESPN.com, Google, About.com, to DirecTV, Echostar and TV Guide Channel. He also created both sponsored and non-sponsored programming and branding concepts for on-air execution for the Olympic sales team.

Suratt joined NBC in 1995, where his positions included Director of Business Development as well as serving as Producer on the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia and 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. During his tenure with NBC, Suratt worked three Summer Olympics and two Winter Games. During the 2002 Winter Games, Suratt managed and booked the Olympic Medals Plaza musical acts, which resulted in such marquee performances from the Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, and 'N Sync, and was dubbed, "the hottest ticket" around by USA Today and Access Hollywood.

After the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, Suratt worked on the 1997 & 1998 NBA on NBC regular and post-season productions -- earning an Emmy for the 1997 NBA on NBC Finals coverage -- and the 1997 National League Championship Series & World Series broadcasts. He also developed and executed programming for special events, including the NBA Finals U2 Live performance during halftime. He began his career with the NBA in 1993.

Suratt graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts and he received his Master of Business Administration from New York University's Stern School of Business. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and two sons.

SOURCE Lifetime Networks
http://www.lifetimetv.com