Dee Forbes, president and managing director of Discovery Networks Western Europe, is to deliver the 2012 IFTA Annual Television Lecture in Dublin on Thursday, September 27.
Forbes, who hails from Drimoleague, Co Cork, manages 17 factual and entertainment brands throughout Discovery Network’s stable of channels. She is expected to detail her career working with Discovery and to share her experiences operating at the forefront of television in the UK and Europe.
The successful broadcaster will become the latest in a line of leading representatives from the international television industry to share their business and industry insight with Irish television producers, directors and broadcasters as part of IFTA’s Annual Television Lecture series.
Last year’s inaugural lecture was delivered by Stuart Murphy, director of Sky Entertainment Channels.
The event is free and exclusive to Members of IFTA. For more information about joining IFTA and membership eligibility please click here.
Speaking ahead of her visit Forbes said she was “delighted” to be returning to Ireland to “share with you my media experiences and to talk to you about the vibrant TV industry inside and outside Ireland.”
In her role as president and managing director of Discovery Networks Western Europe, Forbes oversees the broadcaster’s footprint in 30 countries and territories across Europe where it reaches 331 million cumulative subscribers.
Before joining Discovery in 2010, Forbes worked at Turner Broadcasting where she ran Turner's business in the UK and Ireland which consisted of seven entertainment channels including Cartoon Network. She spent several years working at Turner in a variety of commercial roles before joining Discovery Networks as head of the UK and Ireland. Within six months she was appointed president and managing director for the West European market.
Forbes is also chair of the Commercial Broadcasters Association in the UK and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and history from University College Dublin.
Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive of IFTA, said: “IFTA’s Annual Television Lecture is an important aspect of the Academy’s year-round learning programme of events and we’re delighted to welcome Dee Forbes, an absolute powerhouse of an Irish woman, who is driving one of the world’s most recognisable global television brands.
“Her reputation for understanding creativity and business excellence will no doubt inspire Irish television professionals in attendance who will gain invaluable insight first-hand from the lecture and discussion”.
The Irish Film & Television Academy hosts over 30 learning and education events throughout the year for its Members.
Highlights of 2012 – 2013 calendar include the Academy’s John Ford Ireland Film Symposium with Peter Bogdanovich, Joel Cox, Jim Sheridan, Kyle Eastwood, Stephen Frears and John Boorman.
The organisation also recently held a 20th anniversary celebration of ‘The Crying Game’ with filmmaker Neil Jordan.
The IFTA Annual Television Lecture with Dee Forbes takes place September 27 at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin, Ireland.
For further information about IFTA events, and guideline criteria on becoming a Member of IFTA visit the IFTA website.
