Val Borélanda manager specializing in the acquisition of content for the various cable networks belonging to NBCUniversalwill direct the entertainment operations of these outlets when they will be separated from the company later this year.
Boreland was named president of entertainment for “SpinCo», the new entity which should be a separate and publicly traded entity once the transaction is finalized. In the recent past, she has captured releases from Universal Filmed Entertainment Group for the streaming service Peacock after their theatrical release, and also brought the “John Wick” franchise to Peacock with a prequel series “The Continental.”
She was part of a new group of executives appointed to the top structure of a company that will be led by the CEO. Marc Lazare and CFO Anand Kini.
“Together, we will capitalize on our iconic media assets, chart a path for growth and continue to attract additional talent as we build momentum toward completing the spinoff,” Lazarus said in a statement. The new management team will begin to focus on their new roles from the beginning of April.
Comcast is moving forward with an effort to divest itself of the bulk of its cable assets, which include MSNBCCNBC, Universal Children, USAE!, Oxygen and Syfy. Only Bravo, considered a major programming provider for the Peacock streaming service, will remain in the NBC TV business. Comcast announced in October that it would study the consequences of such a maneuver, but, obviously, she had already done it.
Keith Cocozza, who runs communications for NBC and previously did so for Time Warner, will take on the role of communications director. Brian Dorfler will be director of human resources, Jeff
Mayzurk will become president of operations and technology. Kristin Newkirk will serve as CFO of the company’s television networks. David Pietrycha has been named chief revenue and business officer. Greg Wright will serve as chief accounting officer and controller.
Further appointments to senior positions are expected to be made in the coming weeks.
Boreland’s appointment suggests the company may try to fuel viewership with strategic deals that integrate popular series and specials into its network schedules, rather than focusing solely on original series. The company said Thursday it aims to “deliver a diverse and differentiated content offering with live news, sports and entertainment at the center” of its strategy. The media properties in its portfolio generate “approximately $7 billion in revenue annually.”