• by David Kaplan , January 10, 2005

Industry veteran Eric Thorkilsen, best known for developing successful multimedia business models including the Martha Stewart Living and "This Old House" brands, is joining Scripps Networks as senior vice president of business development on Jan. 17, the company announced Friday.

Thorkilsen will be responsible for developing new business across all existing Scripps Networks media platforms, which include the lifestyle television networks HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, and Fine Living as well as electronic retailer Shop At Home and country music network Great American Country (GAC).

One of Thorkilsen's goals is to increase the profiles of the aforementioned shows' Web sites as advertising vehicles, said John Lansing, Scripps Networks' president.

"While growing our television networks remains a top priority, we also see great potential in the development of new businesses that will lead to the creation of new profit centers for our company," Lansing said. "Eric is a talented industry veteran who has proven his ability to build solid businesses through strategic brand extensions." Thorkilsen comes to Scripps Networks from This Old House Ventures, where he built an entire business for Time Warner around the half-hour "This Old House" weekly television series. Under his direction, This Old House Ventures expanded into publishing, broadband, event marketing, direct sales, licensing, books, and videos.

He began his media career in the late 1970s, holding a variety of positions at Time>/I> magazine, Sports Illustrated, and People magazine. From 1990 to 1995, he served as publisher and president of Martha Stewart Living with responsibility for all magazine, television, book, and product operations.

"I have admired what Scripps Networks has done over the last ten years, first with HGTV, and then with the development of its other networks," said Thorkilsen. "These are some of the most powerful brands in the shelter and food categories, which should provide great opportunities for organic growth from within Scripps Networks as well as potential for strategic acquisitions."

As part of Thorkilsen's hire, Cherie Oswald, the head of Scripps Networks' Finance Department, has been named vice president of business development. Since joining the company four years ago, Oswald's primary focus has been strategic planning. She will remain in Knoxville, while Thorkilsen will be based in the company's New York office, Lansing said.