PARIS — Eurosport has named former Weber Shandwick sports head Fiona McLachlan as VP of communications, as it makes several senior appointments to support its Olympic Games strategy.

The Discovery-owned sports network, which was recently awarded all TV and multiplatform broadcast rights to the 2018-2024 Olympic Games across Europe, has also named Antonio Ruiz to lead marketing, while Sameer Pabari will head business development. In addition, the company is naming five new functional heads for its Olympic Games leadership team.

McLachlan spent 11 years at Weber Shandwick in London, leading its sports practice before departing in 2014 for a consulting career. At Eurosport she is responsible for corporate, consumer communications and event functions.

Ruiz, meanwhile, moves over from the Southern European arm of the business to become VP of marketing and franchise management. In the newly created role, he is charged with developing the overall brand and marketing strategy across affiliate sales, events and consumer marketing for Eurosport, partnering with Discovery’s regional teams to develop sport franchises within the Discovery portfolio.

"These talented leaders will support our ambition for Eurosport to be the preferred destination for sports fans," said Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton. "As we continue to invest in the programming, promotion and production values for Eurosport across all platforms, this team will deliver on our new brand promise to 'Fuel Your Passion' and immerse fans in the greatest sports moments."