Mike Cavanagh
Comcast’s new President Mike Cavanagh unveiled a significant revamp of the company’s senior management ranks, with Donna Langley, Mark Lazarus and Cesar Conde gaining significant promotions.
Cavanagh, who took over the company in April, permanently replacing former CEO Jeff Shell, announced the appointment of film chief Donna Langley to an expanded role as Chairman of NBCUniversal Studio Group and Chief Content Officer, with oversight of the company’s entertainment content, including films and TV shows for its Peacock streaming service.
“Langley will leverage her longstanding relationships with the creative community and ability to partner with the most prolific storytellers in our business to unlock a seamless cross-portfolio creative strategy including programming, distribution and marketing across film, television and streaming,” Cavanagh said in a memo.
Mark Lazarus, the Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, is also being elevated, gaining wider purview over the business decisions for some of the company’s creative content as Chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group. His new role includes oversight of advertising and distribution, as well as the business operations of the TV networks, streaming platforms, and NBC Sports.
Moreover, Cesar Conde, who had left the executive presidency of Telemundo in 2020 to take over as President of NBCUniversal News Group, overseeing NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC and NBC News Now, will continue in his role but will expand his duties to lead NBCUniversal Local and Telemundo Enterprises.
“Cesar previously led NBCUniversal International and Telemundo when it became the number one Spanish-language network in prime time for the first time in history. Based on that experience as well as his excellent record leading the News Group, he is the ideal person to take on this expanded role. NBCUniversal Local and Telemundo Enterprises Group will fit seamlessly with our News Group and will enable even more growth and collaboration across the division,” Cavanagh commented.
The last of four direct reports to Cavanagh will be Mark Woodbury, the chief of Universal Destinations & Experiences Group, who will oversee the company’s theme parks and merchandising businesses. Furthermore, Frances Berwick will be elevated to Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, reporting to Lazarus and Langley.
Meanwhile, as part of the restructuring, veteran executive Susan Rovner, who was Chairman of Entertainment Content for NBCUniversal's Television and Streaming division, will exit the company. Rovner’s role included oversight of streaming platform Peacock, NBC and cable networks including Bravo, USA Network, Oxygen, Syfy, and E!, among others.