Jeff Zucker has been named ceo and Randy Falco has been named president/coo of a newly integrated NBC Universal Television Group. Beth Comstock has been appointed to the newly created position of president, NBCU Digital Media and Market Development.
Bob Wright, vice chairman of GE and chairman/ceo of NBC Universal, said: "These moves help position NBCU for continued growth and accelerate our transition to a digital media company. These changes also support the rebuilding of NBC network prime time, strengthen the strategic focus and operational effectiveness of our broadcast and cable networks, and improve the coordination between our content creation and distribution teams. Jeff, Randy and Beth are talented and experienced executives whose strategic focus will serve us well. We are in a fast-moving, quickly evolving industry and this is the perfect time to adjust our management structure for maximum efficiency and teamwork."
This expanded television group partners Zucker and Falco with Dick Ebersol and Jay Ireland for the first time, completely integrating content, television stations, operations, sales and distribution into one seamless team.
Zucker, former president, NBCU Television Group, oversees the entire television group, with primary focus on content creation. The network's entertainment division, entertainment cable channels, television studio, network news division, MSNBC and CNBC will continue to report to Zucker, with Sports and Olympics added as well. Zucker reports to Wright.
In addition to partnering with Zucker, Falco's primary responsibilities will also include NBCU's owned and operated television stations, worldwide television distribution and international channels. He will continue to lead the Telemundo network, business development, network operations (Media Works), sales and cable distribution. Falco, former president, NBCU Television Networks Group, reports to Zucker.
Comstock was chief marketing officer of General Electric. Her areas of responsibility will include digital media, strategic marketing, television research, television advertising and promotion and communications. She is accountable for driving NBCU's digital strategy and leading NBCU content and distribution efforts onto new digital platforms. She reports to Wright. This move marks Comstock's return to NBCU, where she was formerly svp NBC Communications.
"That changing landscape is what makes this the right time to combine all of our assets in one group," said Falco. "And why it's great to have Beth come home to NBCU to further lead us into the new digital age."
"What a great opportunity for growth. Our goal is to make NBCU's content available how and where consumers want it, and provide the targeted, integrated experience marketers seek," said Comstock.
