NBCU Merges Domestic & International Teams as Kevin MacLellan Departs

After nearly two decades with the company, Kevin MacLellan is exiting NBCUniversal, which will now bring its domestic and international operations together.

“In light of Kevin’s departure, we have reassessed our international organizational structure,” said Jeff Shell, chairman of NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment. “With the rapidly evolving global media landscape, we have decided to more closely align our U.S. and international operations. This will perfectly position us for future growth, as we take advantage of our increased international footprint and the growing number of platforms for our content.”

Ken Bettsteller will become president of global networks, overseeing all non-Sky Network operations across EMEA, AsiaPac and LatAm, adding Lee Raftery as a direct report and partnering with Justin Che. Bettsteller will report directly to Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and Telemundo Enterprises. DreamWorks Animation Networks, led by Jennifer Lawlor, will report to Raftery.

Duccio Donati, executive VP of lifestyle and kids’ networks, will now report to Frances Berwick, president of the NBCUniversal Lifestyle Networks. Donati will continue to oversee E! Entertainment Television internationally and will take on oversight of hayu, led by Hendrik McDermott.

International studios, led by Jeff Wachtel, will now report to Bonnie Hammer, chairman of NBCUniversal Content Studios, and George Cheeks, vice chairman of NBCUniversal Content Studios.

The international formats group will now report to Meredith Ahr, president of the alternative and reality group at NBC Entertainment.

Global distribution, headed by Belinda Menendez, will now report jointly to Cheeks and Pete Levinsohn, president and chief distribution officer for Universal Filmed Entertainment Group.

Business development in EMEA will move under Sky, with Ben Braun, senior VP of strategy and business development, coordinating business development in LatAm and AsiaPac, in partnership with Conde and Che.

David Gibbons, senior VP of international operations and technology, will leave his role in 2020 following completion of key integration projects. The leaders of each of the international functions—including finance, human resources, legal, government affairs, corporate communications, international media operations, IT, facilities, real estate and security—will help with the transition and report into the U.S. functional heads of each group.

“Change is never easy, but I’m confident that we have never been better positioned for global growth,” Shell added. “The combination of our outstanding international team, with the strength and reach of our new sister company Sky, sets us up for future success in a very competitive marketplace. Thank you for your continued contribution to our business.”