TLC Elevates Laura Staro to Senior Vice President, Research
February 10, 2011
TLC Elevates Laura Staro to Senior Vice President, Research
Los Angeles, CA - TLC GM Amy Winter announced today that Laura Staro has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Research. Staro is based at the network's headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.
Since joining TLC as Vice President, Research in October 2008, Staro has led the network's strategic research initiatives, propelling network growth through audience and marketplace insights, with consistent gains in P2+ audience delivery each year. She built a team from the ground up, which services all activities related to Programming, Scheduling, Development, Marketing, PR, Finance, Commerce and consumer trend research.
"Laura has been a critical part of TLC's strategy team, leading the network to successfully launch brand-defining series like CAKE BOSS and the POLICE WOMEN franchise, while providing insight to improve upon key brands, like LA INK and SAY YES TO THE DRESS. Her expertise is invaluable," said Winter.
Key network milestones during Staro's tenure include improving TLC's ranking 6 out of 7 nights of the week among HH, P25-54 and P18-49 in 2010 and securing an average of 1M P2+ weekly viewers or more for 31 shows in 2010.
Staro, a 15 year consumer insights veteran, joined Discovery in September 2004 as Director of Research and On-Air Planning for Discovery Health Channel and Fit TV. In her network role, Staro consulted with development and production teams to assess new programs and recommend scheduling strategies to achieve maximum ratings potential. She was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Research in August 2006, where she led the Company's media and marketing science efforts, as well as conducted the research leading to up to the launch of Discovery's Planet Green.
Prior to joining Discovery, Staro held important strategic roles at Procter & Gamble and 180s LLC. In her career with The Procter & Gamble Company, Staro worked in numerous management capacities across the U.S., Switzerland and the United Kingdom. She was responsible for developing marketing research programs and impacting strategic planning for marketing and product development for such global brands as Olay Skin Care, Cover Girl, Max Factor and NyQuil.
Staro earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Anthropology from the University of Michigan.