NBC Universal Announces Organizational Structure;
General Electric
NBC Universal announced the organizational structure of the new company, which
was formed today through the combination of NBC and Vivendi Universal
Entertainment. Bob Wright will head up the new organization as chairman and CEO,
while retaining his position of vice chairman and executive officer of General
Electric, NBC Universal's parent company. Wright will be supported by one of the
most stable and experienced leadership teams in the industry.
Randy Falco assumes responsibility for the new company's overall commercial and
operational functions, as President, NBC Universal Television Networks Group.
Jeff Zucker adds responsibility for Universal's television production and
programming operations, as President, NBC Universal Television Group. Ron Meyer,
the former president and chief operating officer of Vivendi Universal
Entertainment, becomes President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios,
responsible for Universal Pictures, the Hollywood studio operations, and the
company's Parks & Resorts division. Universal Pictures and Parks & Resorts will
continue to be led by Stacey Snider and Tom Williams, respectively.
Dick Ebersol adds responsibility for USA Network's sports programming, as
Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. Jay Ireland will continue to oversee
the company's 29 owned-and-operated television stations as President, NBC
Universal Television Stations. To enhance global growth, Brandon Burgess assumes
the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Digital Media,
International Channels, and Business Development.
Also reporting to Wright and assuming expanded responsibilities in their
respective areas are the executives in charge of the company's corporate staff
functions: Lynn Calpeter, EVP and Chief Financial Officer; Deborah Reif, EVP,
Financial Structuring; Marc Saperstein, Senior EVP, Human Resources and
Communications; and Lawrence Tu, EVP and General Counsel.
Television Group Changes
The new organization has a strong blend of NBC and Vivendi Universal
Entertainment leadership in significant positions in programming and
distribution. Jeff Gaspin is appointed President, NBC Universal Cable
Entertainment & Cross-Platform Strategy, and Kevin Reilly, as previously
announced, is President, NBC Entertainment. Reporting to Gaspin are Bonnie
Hammer, President, USA & Sci Fi Networks, and Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo
& Trio Networks. David Kissinger has been named co-president, along with Angela
Bromstad, of the NBC Universal Television Studio.
In key leadership support of the NBC Universal Television Group, former Vivendi
Universal Entertainment Chief Financial Officer Frederick Huntsberry becomes
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Distribution; John Miller
becomes Chief Marketing Officer; and Marc Graboff becomes Television Group
Executive Vice President. Reporting to Huntsberry in his television distribution
capacity are Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Sales &
Distribution, and Belinda Menendez, President, NBC Universal International Sales
& Distribution.
Television Networks Group Changes
Key leadership changes in the company's commercial operations include expanded
roles for Keith Turner and David Zaslav, who assume responsibilities in their
respective areas for all NBC and Universal properties. Turner is President, NBC
Universal Sales & Marketing, and Zaslav is President, NBC Universal Cable. From
Universal, Jeff Lucas will be responsible for NBC Universal Cable Sales,
reporting to Turner, and Doug Holloway will be responsible for NBC Universal
Cable Investments, reporting to Zaslav.
An organizational chart may be accessed at
http://nbcmv.com/assets/press_kits/NBCU_org_chart.pdf.
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 the No.
1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, 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, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
CONTACT: NBC Universal,
Cory Shields, 212-664-3457
Rebecca Marks, 212-664-3457
or
Universal Studios,
Susan Fleishman, 818-777-8063