David Leavy
Chief Corporate Operations and Communications Officer
A 16-year Discovery veteran, David Leavy manages the company’s creative and corporate marketing functions; government relations and public policy; standards and practices; global corporate communications; talent relations; global technology and operations, including broadcast operations, technology strategy and architecture, IT infrastructure, systems and data solutions, and information security; as well as business operations, including administration, security, travel and real estate functions. Additionally, Leavy leads Discovery’s in-house media agency – The Discovery Agency – which offers a 360° suite of services including creative strategy and design, media planning and marketing partnerships, and brand activation.
Since joining Discovery, Leavy has overseen communications and operations strategy for some of the company’s most significant initiatives, including the 2008 debut as a publicly traded company, the announcement of the company’s joint venture with Oprah Winfrey for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery’s agreement to acquire full ownership of Eurosport, and in 2015, Discovery and Eurosport’s agreement for the exclusive TV and multimedia rights to the Olympic Games across Europe from 2018-2024. Most recently, he led the communications and operations strategy for Discovery’s groundbreaking investment and strategic partnership to form new digital content holding company Group Nine Media, as well as the company’s joint venture partnership with MLB Advanced Media’s BAMTech to form BAMTech Europe, a European arm of the technology services and video streaming company.
In addition, Leavy has spearheaded the development of the company’s ‘Discovery Impact’ corporate social responsibility programs, which leverage the power of Discovery’s brands, businesses and employees to give back to the world. In 2016, under Leavy’s guidance, Discovery launched its latest global conservation initiative, Project C.A.T., designed to preserve, protect and reinvigorate the wild tiger population.
Under Leavy’s leadership, Discovery’s Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs teams have been recognized with a number of awards, including PR Week’s ‘Large Corporate Communications Team of the Year’ and PR News’ ‘CSR Volunteer Initiative of the Year.’ Additionally, The Discovery Agency has won more than 10 In-House Agency Forum awards including, ‘Best in Show.’
Prior to joining Discovery, Leavy served as Chief Spokesman and Senior Director of Public Affairs for the National Security Council and Deputy White House Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In that position, Leavy handled all press issues relating to foreign policy and chaired the Interagency Public Affairs Working Group that coordinated the Clinton Administration’s long range strategic messaging on international policy. Leavy developed the communications strategies for NATO’s military action in Kosovo, the State Visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin, U.S. military action in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan, as well as the Senate’s ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Leavy previously served as Assistant Press Secretary at the State Department and the White House Press Office. He is a graduate of Colby College and the Salisbury School, where he now serves on the Board of Trustees. Leavy is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.