A+E Networks appoints Garner Head of FAST Channels
September 27, 2023
A+E Networks has named Mark Garner to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Head of Global FAST Channels, effective immediately. The announcement was made by Steven MacDonald, President, Global Licensing & International, to whom he reports.
“As FAST continues to be a critical area for growth around the world, we are thrilled to announce the expansion of Mark’s role at A+E Networks. Under his leadership, A+E was an early entrant to the space, helping to monetise our vast library of owned and original content across an emerging fleet of digital and streaming platforms. With Mark at the helm, we will continue to build on our pioneering global position in FAST,” said MacDonald.
In his new role, Garner will further concentrate his efforts on this key growth area to accelerate A+E’s FAST business internationally, while also continuing to build US reach and performance. A+E Networks was an early entrant into the FAST space, launching its first channel, History Shorts, in 2018, and steadily expanding its collection to 20+ channels across lifestyle, competition, true crime, movies and other genres from their library of content.
Garner most recently served as Executive Vice President, Global Content Partnerships and Business Development, primarily focusing on the monetisation of A+E Networks’ library through partnerships with emerging content distribution platforms. He was also charged with optimising A+E Networks’ core creative business through developing new businesses including podcasting and out-of-home distribution.
Prior to joining A+E Networks, Garner worked as an executive at several start-up ventures, including a satellite broadcast network based in Johannesburg, South Africa where he successfully built the network’s distribution. After his time in South Africa, he led business development efforts for a direct-to-consumer, online automotive sales venture. Garner also held positions at MTV Networks and AT&T in sales, marketing and product management.
Garner currently serves as a board member of MIPCOM’s Diversity & Inclusion Group. Prior board service includes Director appointments for privately held Black News Channel (BNC), the not-for-profit South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), and industry associations including NAMIC (the media industry’s leading organisation for advocacy on behalf of people of colour), CTAM and The Digital Entertainment Group.