Changes At NBCU In Concert With Comstock’s Departure; More On Virtual Women’s Network
By Staci D. Kramer - Mon 03 Mar 2008 09:14 AM PST
NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) is rolling up a batch of changes into one post-Beth Comstock announcement:
Digital: As we reported earlier, the digital team now reports to Salil Mehta, president of business operations, strategy and development. “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.”
iVillage: Jeff Gaspin, president and COO of the Universal Television Group, takes on interim responsibility for iVillage and will oversee the new women’s virtual ad network.
Research: Mike Pilot, president, sales & marketing, will add executive responsibility for the research department, including planning, development and analysis of all audience, program and marketing research. Pilot now reports to CEO Jeff Zucker.
Women’s virtual ad network: As expected, NBCU is launching a virtual women’s ad network with iVillage, recently acquired Oxygen Media and iVillage. Comstock told us earlier this year: “It’s allowed us to now create a virtual women’s network. We bought Oxygen, connect that with iVillage, connect that with parts of Bravo and Today, start from a sales marketing perspective to go after specific targets of women and help advertisers reach them.” The description in today’s announcement leaves out NBC’s Today Show.
I would not be surprised to see Lauren Zalaznick, president of Bravo Media, wind up heading this virtual ad network—and possibly iVillage. Oxygen already reports to Zalaznick so it would make sense.
Posted in: Advertising, Companies, NBC Universal, IVIL, Industry Moves






