CINCINNATI – The E. W. Scripps Company, as part of its strategy to deliver informative and entertaining content over the growing array of broadband, Internet and other new media platforms, has named B. Jeff Craig as the company’s chief technology officer, effective Feb. 19.Craig, a 20-year telecommunications and media industry veteran, comes to the newly created position at Scripps from Discovery Communications Inc., where for the past three years he has been senior vice president of interactive technology and new media development. At Scripps, Craig will report to Rich Boehne, executive vice president.Craig will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the operation and development of information systems and technology for the Scripps cable television networks, newspapers, broadcast television stations and 31 related Web sites. He will be based at Scripps corporate headquarters in Cincinnati.“Our intention at Scripps is to capitalize on new media opportunities that offer the most promise for real growth,” said Kenneth W. Lowe, president and chief executive officer. “By bringing Jeff on board, we’re making certain that all of our businesses, regardless of the discipline, have a solid technological foundation on which to build new media enterprises.”While at Discovery, Craig was responsible for the development of the technical strategy and tactical implementation for all of the company’s Web properties, including Discovery.com, TravelChannel.com and AnimalPlanet.com. He also led Discovery’s efforts to plan and implement personal computer and television convergence technologies and helped establish the company’s strategy for enhanced television and broadband distribution of Discovery content.Before joining Discovery in 1998, Craig was managing partner and founder of AAJ Interactive Technologies, a consulting firm with key clients including Disney Televentures and Television Games Network. Craig formulated the company’s business plan and was responsible for technical and product development. He sold his interest in the company.From 1995-97, Craig was vice president of system design and engineering for TELE-TV, an interactive television joint venture created in 1995 by Pacific Telesis, Bell Atlantic and Nynex. Craig was responsible for strategic technology planning for the venture. He joined the TELE-TV project after working 13 years for the Bell Atlantic Corp., first as a procurement systems supervisor and analyst/programmer. He left Bell Atlantic’s Video Services Co. in 1995 as chief architect for the company’s interactive television market trial and deployment.Craig has studied information science at Arundel College in Arnold, Md., and computer science at the University of Maryland. He also has studied business law at The American University in Washington, D.C.The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, cable television networks and interactive media. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations and three cable television networks, with plans to launch a fourth.Scripps cable television network brands include Home & Garden Television, Food Network, Do It Yourself and Fine Living, due to launch in the second half of 2001.The company also operates Scripps Howard News Service, United Media, the worldwide licensing and syndication home of PEANUTS and DILBERT, and 31 Web sites, including hgtv.com, foodtv.com, diynet.com and comics.com.