DAVID FRIEDMAN NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF CBS NEWS’ “THE EARLY SHOW”

Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, announced today that David Friedman has been named Executive Producer of CBS News’ THE EARLY SHOW.  The appointment will be effective January 2010.  In this role, Friedman will report to McManus.

“David’s wide-ranging talents and experience in news, entertainment and primetime specials will be enormous assets to the broadcast and to CBS News,” said McManus.  ”THE EARLY SHOW has a great on-air team in place, the show has been making advances and we are committed to decisively moving to the next level.  The change in the competitive landscape is a terrific opportunity for us to bring on an experienced and creative EP with a fresh approach and a demonstrated track record of success.”

Friedman, who spent six years at the “Today” show, has been with NBC in a number of roles since 1993, most recently as executive producer of “Last Call with Carson Daly,” where he innovatively and successfully experimented with and evolved the show’s format and content.  He annually executive produces NBC’s New Year’s Eve special broadcast and recently executive produced the “2009 Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.”  Prior to that, Friedman was a producer and development executive for NBC Studios.

During Friedman’s tenure at “Today,” he rose swiftly from researcher to producer.  His responsibilities for “Today” included producing their 2000 Olympic coverage in Sydney, overseeing multi-camera shoots with on-air talent and producing high-profile interviews and performances.  He began his network career as a researcher on the NBC primetime newsmagazine “Now” with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric.

THE NBC AGENCY ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATION OF WEST COAST CREATIVE TEAM UNDER JIM VESCERA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, NBC ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING

REORGANIZATION INCLUDES ADVANCEMENT OF DAVE DORE TO A NEW ROLE AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, NBC ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING AND LORENZO DE GUTTADAURO TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BRAND CREATIVE, NBC ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – November 30, 2009 – The NBC Agency announced today a consolidation of the Agency’s West Coast Creative Team under the leadership of Jim Vescera, Executive Vice President, Creative Director, NBC Entertainment. The reorganization, which combines the on-air promotion and off-air advertising/digital teams into one creative group, includes the advancement of Dave Dor? to a new role as Senior Vice President, Creative Director, NBC Entertainment Marketing. Dor? will work closely with John-David Currey, the Senior Vice President, Creative Director, NBC Entertainment Marketing responsible for leading the On-Air Promotion team. The Agency also announced the promotion of Lorenzo de Guttadauro to Senior Vice President, Brand Creative, NBC Entertainment. The announcements were made today by Adam Stotsky, President of Marketing, NBC Entertainment, to whom Vescera reports.

“The way consumers experience our content is rapidly changing and this creates new marketing and promotional opportunities. Jim Vescera’s experience, dedication and disposition make him uniquely qualified to lead the charge. Jim has a proven capacity to build and lead teams of creative people against a singular vision,” said Stotsky.

“Dave Dor? and John-David Currey’s combined experience and proven capabilities are invaluable as we work toward one strategic vision across all media in our marketing campaigns. With Lorenzo de Guttadauro’s vital skills and assets added to the mix, we have three multi-talented, versatile and progressive leaders that will help to keep The NBC Agency at the top of its game,” said Vescera.

Dor? becomes Senior Vice President, Creative Director, NBC Entertainment for The NBC Agency. In the position, he will be responsible for all launch and ongoing print and off-air advertisement for NBC’s entertainment programming. Previously, Dor? served as Vice President, Special Projects for The NBC Agency. He was responsible for working on overall network creative branding and program promotion efforts and was the Creative Director for “Sunday Night Football”

Throughout his career, Dor? has conceived, produced and directed many award-winning campaigns for NBC, including for “Sunday Night Football,” “Knight Rider,” “The Apprentice,” “Chuck” and “My Name Is Earl.” He has also created successful short pieces for NBC’s Web ventures, including “Deal Model Theater.” Prior to joining The NBC Agency, Dor? directed the pilot for BBC-TV’s “Scoobs,” as well as campaigns and specials for ABC, Fox, Warner Bros., USA Network, Bravo, Nickelodeon, The WB and many others. Previously, Dor? was a Director, and later Vice President of Marketing at The WB, where he helped build both the Primetime and Kids’ Networks from the ground up.

Before moving to Los Angeles, Dor? produced and directed three seasons of live Major League Baseball television broadcasts and served as Director of Promotion and Production at WCIU-TV, Chicago and KSMO-TV Kansas City. He has received numerous Emmys and advertising awards from PROMAX, the Chicago Festivals, the New York Festivals, and more. Dor? lives in Studio City with his wife and three daughters.

De Guttadauro, now promoted to Senior Vice President, Brand Strategy, The NBC Agency, will supervise the strengthening of the NBC network brand across all platforms. He will also lead On-Air promotional efforts as Creative Director for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Earlier, de Guttadauro was promoted to Vice President, Brand Strategy in 2008, a newly created position at the time. In this role, he worked to increase brand awareness and strength in all promotional areas. He also oversaw the on-air promotional efforts as the Creative Director for the 2008 Summer Olympics

De Guttadauro joined The NBC Agency after a seven-year stint as Vice President of Brand Creative and Promotion for USA Network. Prior to his years there, he served as Senior Art Director for the National Football League from 1999-2000 and Art Director for Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide from 1994-98. De Guttadauro graduated from the University of Missouri with Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism and political science.

Continuing in their existing roles are Ron Hayes Senior Vice President and Creative Director, Special Projects for NBC On-Air Promotion, and Larry Hart, Senior Vice President, who all round out Vescera’s team.

“NBC NIGHTLY NEWS” ANCHOR AND MANAGING EDITOR BRIAN WILLIAMS ACCEPTS THE 2009 WALTER CRONKITE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM

New York – November 18, 2009 – Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News,” received the 2009 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism from Arizona State University today. ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism bestowed its 26th Cronkite Award to Williams at a luncheon ceremony at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

In his acceptance speech, Brian Williams thanked ASU, noting:

“In our corner of the world, we are able to report good news. While our company, NBC, represents the oldest three letters in the MSM, we have more NBC Nightly News viewers this year than we did last year — even at the height of the most exciting Presidential race in modern times. In part, it’s because people know where to find real news; they know we will cover the story.”

“I am convinced that had Walter Cronkite come along today, there’s a chance we wouldn’t know his name. In the midst of so much clutter, so much noise — I’m not sure the modest man from Missouri would have been able to punch through. Instead, as it happened, God and history combined to give us Walter Cronkite — he was the right man, in the right job, at the right time.”

“Cronkite was the first man of the Mad Men era: when ties were thin and glass frames were thick.”

“The honor you give me here today is the highest of my career. I get to have my name mentioned alongside the best there ever was — the man I wanted to be.”

Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” in 2004, replacing Tom Brokaw, who won the Cronkite Award three years ago.

Williams is the most honored network evening news anchor, the recipient of four Edward R. Murrow awards, five Emmys, the duPont-Columbia University Award and the George Foster Peabody Award. He also holds six honorary doctorates. His award-winning work has included coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which the New York Times called “a defining moment as a network reporter and anchor.”

Previous Cronkite Award recipients include TV journalists Tom Brokaw, Bill Moyers and Jane Pauley; newspaper publishers Katharine Graham Al Neuharth and Otis Chandler; television executives Bill Paley, Frank Stanton and Ted Turner; and newspaper journalists Ben Bradlee, Helen Thomas and Bob Woodward. Last year’s winners were Jim Lehrer and Robert MacNeil of PBS.

The Cronkite School was named in honor of the former CBS Evening News anchor in 1984. The nationally recognized school, which offers professional programs on the undergraduate and master’s levels, annually ranks in the Top 10 of the Hearst intercollegiate journalism competition.

MCCLOSKEY JOINS NBC SPORTS

NEW YORK- November 4, 2009- Chris McCloskey, former Executive Vice President, Communications, Arena Football League and nine-year veteran of the NFL’s communications department, has joined NBC as Vice President, Communications, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.

“Chris is a smart, strategic thinker who is known for building strong relationships with partners and the media,” said Mike McCarley, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Promotion and Communications, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. “He brings a wealth of experience and a strategic approach to this position. We are fortunate to have him join the NBC Sports team.”

McCloskey will serve as the primary media contact for NBC’s Olympic coverage, NBC’s “Football Night in America” studio show, Notre Dame football, golf and the NHL. McCloskey will report to McCarley and begin his duties immediately.

McCloskey recently served as a brand strategy consultant focused on communications and sports marketing for a number of clients, including Phillips-Van Heusen and NBC Sports. He is currently an adjunct professor at Iona College’s Hagan School of Business where he teaches a course on sports and entertainment communications strategy.

Many of the skills McCloskey utilized during his six-year AFL tenure were learned while serving for nine years in the National Football League’s communications department. While at the NFL, McCloskey conducted Super Bowl press conferences, supervised all media services at the NFC Championship Game and NFL Combine, and created publicity campaigns for the players attending the NFL Draft.

McCloskey oversaw all communications elements at the AFL and dramatically increased its media coverage, which contributed to a nearly 40 percent increase in attendance, a six-fold increase in television exposure and a doubling of franchise values.

McCloskey resides in Darien, Conn. with his wife, Renie Anderson, and their two daughters Callie and Kate.

NBC UNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES TWO EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS IN CABLE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS AFFAIRS

Lauren McCollester Promoted to Senior Vice President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment Business Affairs
Jeeun Kim Named Vice President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment Business Affairs

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – October 21, 2009 – NBC Universal announced two key executive appointments as Lauren McCollester is promoted to Senior Vice President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment Business Affairs, while Jeeun Kim has been named Vice President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment Business Affairs as she arrives from her previous position at NBC Entertainment Business Affairs.

The announcements were made by Beth Roberts, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions Business Affairs, to whom both executives report.

“Lauren has been a valuable asset to NBC Universal and Cable Business Affairs for several years through her hard work and savvy negotiating skills,” said Roberts. “She truly deserves this promotion and this advancement will further enhance her ability to contribute in the future.”

Roberts continued: “Jeeun comes to the cable side from our broadcast network’s business affairs department, where she has demonstrated great initiative and versatility. She has an outstanding record of performance and a solid reputation here at NBCU, and we look forward to having her as part of our Cable Business Affairs team.”

McCollester will continue to be responsible for negotiations for all of NBCU’s cable entertainment networks, including USA, Syfy, Bravo and Oxygen , but will focus primarily on negotiations and strategy for Bravo and Oxygen.

Kim’s new responsibilities include servicing all Cable Entertainment Networks and Universal Cable Productions.

McCollester has been with the Business Affairs department since October 2004. She first joined NBC in February 2000 as Interactive Media Counsel in the NBC Law Department. In 2003, after the acquisition of Bravo, McCollester began working with NBC’s Program and Talent Contracts Department in addition to continuing with her interactive media responsibilities. She was promoted to Director in NBCU’s Television Business Affairs group in 2004, and was promoted to Vice President in 2006. In early 2007, the cable and broadcast business affairs groups were created and McCollester remained with the cable group.

Since then, McCollester has handled negotiations for USA, Syfy, Bravo and Oxygen. Recently, McCollester was elected to an additional new role as Brand Focus leader for Bravo, Oxygen and women@NBCU. In that new role, she will be responsible for, among other things, establishing business affairs policies and collaborating with the leaders of those business units to understand their goals and execute their strategies.

McCollester graduated Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and later received her J.D. degree from the College of William and Mary. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

Kim comes to the cable side of NBCU from NBC Network Business Affairs, where she worked as a Vice President for Rick Olshansky, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Network & Studio Business Affairs, since September 2007.

Prior to this role, she served in NBCU’s Television Legal Affairs group since January 2002. Kim also worked at Latham & Watkins as an associate in the Corporate Department.

Kim has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley, and a J.D. degree from Columbia University in New York.

BRAVO MEDIA NAMES ERIC CAVANAUGH, VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAM RESEARCH

NEW YORK – October 8, 2009 – Eric Cavanaugh has been named Vice President, Program Research, Bravo Media. The announcement was made by Tony Cardinale, Senior Vice President, Research and Strategic Insights, Bravo Media and Oxygen Media, to whom he will report.

Cavanaugh will spearhead all brand, new media, marketing, scheduling, acquisitions, development and consumer research efforts for the network, providing strategic insight for Bravo’s expanding programming and development slate.

“Consumer knowledge has been a driver of Bravo’s incredible success over the past several years,” said Cardinale. “Eric’s leading experience with affluent and cosmopolitan consumer-based brands, combined with his media and marketing expertise, makes him an indispensable addition to Bravo’s leadership team.”

Cavanaugh joins Bravo from Zenith Media’s Strategic Resources Group, where he led the team responsible for meeting the day-to-day research needs of all Zenith offices in the U.S. He developed Zenith’s suite of proprietary ZOOM (Zenith Optimization of Media) tools, and introduced two published series: theMES (the Media Ecology Series) and Video Vibes. During his tenure at Zenith, Cavanaugh played a pivotal role in the new business process, using strategic research to help land such high-end accounts as Nestlé, Chase, 20th Century Fox and Gucci Group. He also produced consumer insights that helped launch several brands for Zenith clients, including Scion, Stouffer’s, and most recently, Chase’s “Sapphire” credit card, targeted to affluent customers.

Before joining Zenith in 2001, Cavanaugh spent several years at Tribal DDB as an associate media director, working on the digital side of the planning process. He began his media career in the national broadcast department of Time Buying Services, where he learned the ins and outs of network television before joining their planning team.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Cavanaugh is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster, Pa. He currently resides in New York with his wife, Melissa.

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