Mehta to head NBC business unit

Exec new head of operations, development.

By CYNTHIA LITTLETON

Mehta

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NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker has tapped ESPN exec Salil Mehta to serve as NBC U prexy of business operations, strategy and development.

Mehta will be tasked with leading NBC U's global business strategy and corporate development activities. His mandate is to identify industry trends and investment opportunities for the Peacock in high-growth sectors. He reports to Zucker.

"Salil is a first-rate strategic thinker and dealmaker, with a proven track record. He's got a knack for picking the right opportunities at the right time," Zucker said in announcing the appointment.

Mehta joins NBC U after serving as exec veep of ESPN Enterprises. He had general management oversight of ESPN's ancillary businesses, including its new-media, broadband, publishing, videogame and consumer products operations.

Before ESPN, Mehta spent 11 years in Disney's corporate strategic planning group, where he worked on broadband and new-media strategies for the Mouse House and helped develop the first five-year plan implemented by Robert Iger following his promotion to Disney CEO.