NBC Names Swindler President, Strategy/Ops

Edward Swindler today was promoted to president of strategy and operations for NBC Broadcasting, effective immediately. He will report to Ted Harbert, chairman, NBC Broadcasting. Swindler will be responsible for the revenue and profitability of NBC’s broadcast assets including the network, local stations, domestic distribution, domestic first-run syndication and affiliate relations.

NBC said he will be closely involved with Harbert in the operation of the division’s business units. Swindler will also retain his role as NBCUniversal’s Operating Committee member on the Weather Channel board.

Prior to his new role, Swindler served for six years as EVP-COO of NBC Universal Ad Sales, overseeing sales operations, pricing and planning for $7 billion in annual sales across broadcast, cable and digital. Before that, Swindler held a variety of strategy, pricing and financial roles since joining NBC as part of its Management Associates Program in 1984, including EVP of the NBC Universal TV Group and CFO, Commercial for two years. He also served as NBC’s first quality leader in 1996 as part of a GE-wide initiative. He has been involved in some of NBCUniversal’s most significant sports and entertainment program rights acquisitions, including 13 Olympics, and has led many of the company’s advanced advertising initiatives.

Prior to NBCUniversal, Swindler was an award-winning journalist and news director for the 60-station Virginia Radio Network. He also served as president-elect of the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters before returning to business school.

Swindler holds a BA, MA and MBA from the University of Virginia and sits on the advisory board of the University’s media studies department and on the board of directors of WUVA radio.