Discovery reveals new executive leadership team DetailsEditor | 02 March 2018 Discovery Communications has confirmed its senior leadership appointments once it has closed its acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive.The content giant first announced in July 2017 that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire Scripps Networks in a cash-and-stock transaction. The combination of the companies is expected to extend Scripps Networks' content to international audiences, increase opportunities for advertisers and digital distribution partners, and unlock significant cost synergies. The US Department of Justice officially approved the acquisition on 28 February. "Today's announcement is another major milestone in combining these two fantastic companies into a new kind of media company with the most trusted portfolio of real life entertainment brands in the world," commented Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav. "Upon closing, each division will have a best-in-class leader focused on quickly integrating the combined teams to create new ways for advertisers and distributors to reach highly targeted audiences at scale; capturing operating efficiencies across both companies; and driving innovation to continue telling great stories and nourishing our passionate, loyal superfans around the world across every consumer screen, service and platform."Among the key appointments, Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently serving as Discovery's chief financial officer, will become CFO of the combined company while Jean-Briac Perrette, currently serving as president and CEO of Discovery Networks International, will continue in his current role driving the combined company's global expansion.