After months of speculation, NBC Universal President-CEO Jeff Zucker confirmed Monday that NBCU Integrated Media President Beth Comstock is headed back to parent company General Electric. Her current NBCU digital turf is being reassigned to three NBCU executives.
Jeff Gaspin, president and chief operating officer of the Universal Television Group, will assume interim responsibility for iVillage, the female-oriented Web site. NBCU paid $600 million to acquire iVillage during Ms. Comstock’s first year as the company’s top digital executive.
Mr. Gaspin also will oversee a new virtual women’s network.
The announcement said Ms. Comstock’s new role at GE is as senior vice president and chief marketing officer, responsible for leading GE’s “organic growth initiatives, marketing, sales and communications, and for directing cross-business digital efforts in strategic areas for GE such as consumer health and environmental technology.”
Salil Mehta, the newly hired president of business operations, strategy and development, will pick up oversight of NBCU’s digital media team. Sales and marketing President Mike Pilot will add executive responsibility for the company’s research department, including planning, development and analysis of all audience, program and marketing research.
At the core of the virtual women’s network being launched will be Bravo Media, Oxygen Media and iVillage, which will be supported by the entire range of NBCU assets. Deborah Fine, president of iVillage Properties, will report on an interim basis to Mr. Gaspin.