NationsBank From 1989 to 1993, Samples was a relationship manager, international examination department
vice president, and manager at
NationsBank.
Turner Broadcasting System Samples spent nearly fourteen years with
Turner Broadcasting System in various leadership capacities spanning affiliate sales, marketing, programming and digital media. He started his career at Turner in international business development in 1993 and then became the President of Turner International Argentina, based in Buenos Aires, the following year. While Cartoon Network intended to produce future shows that blend live action with animation as well as "cartoony" live-action shows, Samples maintained "we're predominately an animated network and that's not changing anytime soon." Samples resigned from the company on February 9, 2007, following a
bomb scare in Boston caused by packages left around the city that were part of an outdoor marketing campaign promoting the Adult Swim series
Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Samples made the decision "in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch", and with the "hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages". Following Samples's resignation,
Stuart Snyder was named his successor.
HGTV After his resignation, Samples transferred to
Scripps Networks Interactive. He was appointed President of
HGTV (later became part of
Warner Bros. Discovery on April 8, 2022 that also owns the previous Turner properties he worked on including The Cartoon Network, Inc.) in 2007
Other ventures Samples also sits on the boards of the
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and Presbyterian College. ==Personal life==