Gaspin
Reif
NEW YORK -- NBC Universal cable topper Jeff Gaspin will oversee digital initiatives for the entire television group. The move marks a significant investment in digital under prexy Deborah Reif.
Aside from Gaspin, Reif is adding several execs to NBC U's digital media division, including Total Sports co-founder Ezra Kucharz, former Viacom exec and N.Y. Mayor Michael Bloomberg administration official Lisa Kraynak and former Warner Music Group exec Kevin Gage.
The appointment to the group of Gaspin, the conglom's top cable exec, underscores the importance of online entertainment to the future of the company, said chairman-CEO Bob Wright.
"Digital media is not ancillary to our main business -- it is rapidly becoming our main business," Wright said. "Continuing to build on our efforts in this area is the key strategic imperative at NBC Universal."
Gaspin will continue to report to NBC U Television Group prexy Jeff Zucker and will remain president of the cable networks and direct the group's cross-network strategy.
"With the growing importance of digital platforms, it's vital that we embrace this new medium," Gaspin said.
Digital growth
The personnel changes signal a broad expansion of NBC U's digital division, which was created in April when Reif was named president. Until then, digital initiatives fell under the purview of Brandon Burgess, who heads global business development and international channels.
Reif reports directly to Wright.
NBC U's digital media division oversees NBC Weather Plus, its all-digital local weather channel; NBC Mobile, which provides entertainment content to mobile phones; NBC's on-demand cable offerings; and NBC web sites such as NBCOlympics.com.
Kucharz becomes senior VP, broadband, overseeing the company's online business. Reporting to Kucharz is Jordan Hoffner, a former "Today" producer who helped lead the launch of NBC Weather Plus.
Kraynak, former senior vice president of marketing for the city of New York, will head strategic marketing for the digital group.
Gage, a former music executive, will oversee content protection and conduct the fight against piracy.
The group also appointed Scott Moody chief financial officer and Seth Winter sales chief, among five others named to the group.
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