Ong Books Berth On Travel Channel

Laureen Ong

Scripps Networks has tapped a top executive of a Hong Kong venture to lead the Travel Channel, where it recently took control. Laureen Ong, who joined the Asian networks group Star in 2007, comes to Travel on April 19 as president of the network.

She had helped News Corp. launch the National Geographic Channel domestically in 2001 before moving to Hong Kong six years later. She was Star Group's COO.

Scripps acquired a majority interest in Travel, when it was valued at $975 million in December. It's the sixth channel in a cable portfolio it bills as focusing on "lifestyle" brands.

Ong was referred to as someone with "brand experience and proven track record in developing non-fiction television ... [with] excellent business acumen" in a statement by Scripps Networks Interactive CEO Ken Lowe.

Scripps also said Jonathan Sichel will be Travel's general manager working with Ong. In a move to keep some continuity, he has been with the network as senior vice president of commercial affairs and operations for three years.

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Ong helped launch a local cable sports network in Chicago decades ago, while she also ran the local Fox station in Washington.

Scripps recently pulled Travel's ad sales in-house from Discovery, which had been handling it as Cox Communications was the owner.

Travel, by one measure, has posted 10% growth in prime-time ratings among adults 25-to-54 this season.

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