NBC Universal today (Dec. 4, 2006) announced expanded responsibilities for several senior executives, and appointed Michael Pilot as new head of Ad Sales.
Jay Ireland, president, NBC Universal TV Stations and Network Operations, adds oversight of the Telemundo Network, led by president Don Browne; NBC Network Affiliate Relations, led by evp John Damiano; and NBC Network Operations, led by svp John DeWald. These areas previously reported to Randy Falco. As part of the reorganization and to further integrate Telemundo operations, the Telemundo Stations Group, managed by Ibra Morales, president, Telemundo Stations Group, will now report to Browne. Under this new structure, Ireland reports to Jeff Zucker, ceo, NBC Universal Television Group.
Ireland will also be responsible for domestic first-run syndication of TV programming, managed by Barry Wallach, president, Domestic TV Distribution. This previously had been under David Zaslav.
Marc Graboff, president, NBC Universal Television, West Coast, will take on additional responsibilities, overseeing Domestic TV Distribution, also managed by Wallach.
Pilot joins NBC Universal as president of Ad Sales, reporting to Zucker. Pilot was president/ceo of the Equipment Finance Group, a unit of GE Commercial Finance. Under his leadership, EFG grew its assets more than 50% to $25 billion and doubled net income to nearly $500 million. Pilot, a GE officer since 2002, replaces Keith Turner, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the company.
Also, NBC veteran Edward Swindler has been promoted to the newly created position of coo of the Sales division and will report to Pilot.
John Eck, president, Media Works, and, cio, NBC Universal, will report to Bob Wright, vice chairman, GE, and chairman/ceo, NBC Universal. Ecks responsibilities include information technology, television and studio facility operations, engineering, and real estate, across the companys broadcast television and cable network properties and owned-and-operated stations. Bruce Campbell, evp, Business Development, will also report to Wright. Eck and Campbell had reported to Falco.
Cory Shields, evp of Communications, who had reported to Beth Comstock, now reports to Wright.
