NBC Universal Announces Realignment in Strategic Areas and Expanded Roles for Key Executives

NBC Universal Announces Realignment in Strategic Areas and Expanded Roles for Key Executives

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

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

Web site:

http://www.nbcuni.com/
http://www.nbcumv.com/
http://www.ge.com/

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