NBCUniversal Unveils Leadership for International TV Group

LONDON: NBCUniversal has announced the executive management structure for its international television distribution, production and channels businesses under Kevin MacLellan, the president of international television.

“We have reached a milestone in determining the leadership organization that positions us for future growth," MacLellan said. "Combining our television strands encompassing production, networks and distribution into one cohesive, highly performing unit has been a complex but rewarding process.  The new structure provides us with a unique opportunity to be more competitive, flexible, customer focused and positioned for growth.”
 
Direct reports to MacLellan include Belinda Menendez, president of international television distribution and Universal Networks International—who also reports to Rick Finkelstein, vice chairman and COO of Universal Pictures—and Michael Edelstein, the president of international television production. Also reporting to him are Simone Nardi as CFO; Lee Raftery as executive VP of marketing, who is relocating to London; and Steve Patscheck as executive VP of international programming for Universal Networks International.
 
Under Menendez at the international television distribution and Universal Networks International business are Don McGregor as executive VP of international television distribution; Duccio Donati as executive VP of Universal Networks International; Jay McNamara as executive VP of business development and sales strategy for international television; Bill Vrbanic as executive VP of global television distribution; Andrea Melville as executive VP of business and legal affairs; and Brandon Franklin as CFO, finance, global television distribution. Joining the company as managing director for Latin America at Universal Networks International is Ken Bettsteller, replacing Steve Patscheck. Menendez’s team also encompasses managing directors in four territories who will oversee both TV distribution and Universal Networks International. They are Maxim Mikhailov for Russia, Carolyn Stalins for France, Maria Sanchez-Munoz for Spain and Portugal, and Marwen Helayel for the Middle East, Greece and Turkey, who will add UNI affiliate and ad sales responsibilities to his existing role. Meanwhile, Don McGregor has been named executive VP of international television distribution, with responsibility for UK and Ireland, Benelux, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Africa, Central & Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific. 
 
Donati, in the newly created role of executive VP of Universal Networks International, will head up a team of managing directors that includes Luca Cadura for Italy, Christine Fellowes for the Asia Pacific, Colin McLeod for Benelux, CEE & Africa, Laurence Dawkin-Jones for the UK & Ireland, and Katherina Behrends for Germany. Laurent Dumeau, Martin Irusta and Roland Tischner will be leaving the company.

At the international television production division, led by Michael Edelstein, Brad Wald has been named chief commercial officer.
 
Jeff Shell, president of NBCUniversal International, commented, “When we announced the formation of the International Television group in March, our primary goal was to create a strategic and collaborative international business, structured to drive scale in markets. Kevin has delivered on this vision with a tremendous team of executive talent organized to optimize our assets and generate significant future growth.”