Realignment Includes Launch of a Virtual Women's Network, Consisting of
Core NBCU Content Assets Designed To Reach a Prime Female Demographic
NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC Universal announced expanded
roles for several of its key executives in the areas of Digital, Sales, and
Research. Salil Mehta, President, Business Operations, Strategy and
Development, will assume oversight of NBC Universal's Digital Media team.
Mike Pilot, President, Sales & Marketing, will add executive responsibility
for the company's Research department, including planning, development and
analysis of all audience, program and marketing research. Jeff Gaspin,
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Universal Television Group,
will take on interim responsibility for iVillage, the leading online
destination for women, and oversight of a newly created virtual women's
network.
The announcements were made today by Jeff Zucker, President and CEO,
NBC Universal. The areas being realigned were previously under the
executive supervision of Beth Comstock, President, Integrated Media, who is
assuming a new role at General Electric as Senior Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer, where she will be responsible for leading GE's organic
growth initiatives, marketing, sales, and communications, and for directing
cross- business digital efforts in strategic areas for GE such as consumer
health and environmental technology.
Said Zucker: "I want to thank Beth for her enormous contributions to
the company over the last two-plus years. She has a deep understanding of
the opportunities presented by the digital revolution and was incredibly
effective in guiding us through a huge shift in our company's mindset. Her
efforts have begun to deliver real financial results and have set the stage
for robust future growth. In her new role, all of GE's businesses,
including NBCU, will be able to reap the benefits of her expertise."
As part of the realignment, the company will launch a virtual women's
network, which at its core will include Bravo Media, Oxygen Media and
iVillage, and will be supported by the entire range of NBC Universal
assets. This unique combination of brands will enable advertisers to
efficiently reach a prime, female demographic across multiple platforms
with quality programming. Deborah Fine, President of iVillage Properties,
will report on an interim basis to Gaspin.
In addition, Mehta takes on executive responsibility for NBC
Universal's Digital Media team. Placing digital media operations within the
same organizational structure as business development will give NBCU the
speed and agility to execute on the innovative business deals that will
continue to drive digital momentum. George Kliavkoff, NBCU's Chief Digital
Officer and the architect of many of the company's recent digital ventures,
will report to Mehta.
Pilot adds oversight of NBCU's industry-leading research efforts.
Having the Research team aligned more closely with Sales & Marketing allows
the company to deliver the creative, integrated partnerships clients have
come to expect. President of Research Alan Wurtzel will report to Pilot,
and Pilot will now report to Zucker.
For details on GE's announcement about Beth Comstock, go to ge.com. For
complete bios on NBCU executives, log on to nbcumv.com.
About NBC Universal:
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment
companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment,
news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the
combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns
and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a
premier motion picture company, significant television production
operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme
parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by
Vivendi.
Media Contacts:
Cory Shields, Corporate Communications, 212/664-6999
cory.shields@nbcuni.com
Kathy Kelly-Brown, Corporate Communications, 212/664-3457
kathy.kelly-brown@nbcuni.com
Amy Zelvin, NBCU Digital Communications, 201/735-3370
amy.zelvin@nbcuni.com
SOURCE NBC Universal
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Related links:
http://www.nbcuni.com
http://www.nbcumv.com http://www.ge.com
CONTACT:
Cory Shields, Corporate Communications,
+1-212-664-6999, cory.shields@nbcuni.com, Kathy Kelly-Brown,
Corporate Communications, +1-212-664-3457,
kathy.kelly-brown@nbcuni.com, or Amy Zelvin, NBCU Digital
Communications, +1-201-735-3370, amy.zelvin@nbcuni.com
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