New NBCU Unit Appoints Three Chiefs

NBCUniversal today announced the promotions of two longtime executives within the company – Cameron Blanchard and Tony Cardinale – who were both named executive vice president in the newly created NBCUniversal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media division (E&DN/IM).

Additionally, Margaret Lazo was appointed executive vice president for the division and will relocate from Los Angeles to New York City. They each will expand their responsibilities to include oversight for the entire portfolio in their respective functions and will report to the division’s chairman Lauren Zalaznick.

The new E&DN/IM division includes Telemundo, mun2, Bravo Media, Oxygen Media, Style, Sprout, ExerciseTV, TV One, iVillage, Daily Candy, Swirl, Fandango and the Integrated Strategic Marketing group (which includes the company-wide initiatives Green is Universal, Healthy at NBCUniversal and Women at NBCU).

Blanchard, previously senior vice president of communications, NBC Universal Women & Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, has been tapped as executive vice President, communications for NBCU’s E&DN/IM and will continue to serve as lead spokesperson for the division, as well as oversee strategic communications and media relations for each of the portfolio’s businesses.

Cardinale, previously senior vice president of strategic insights for the Women & Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, has been promoted to executive vice president, brand planning and strategic insights and will be responsible for translating consumer intelligence into brand and business strategy for NBCU’s E&DN/IM portfolio and for its advertising partners. And Lazo, who retains her title of executive vice president, human resources, also will expand her responsibilities to include oversight for all the businesses within the E&DN/IM division.

“Cameron, Tony and Margaret are all highly-skilled, experts in their respective disciplines and each has been integral to our many successes over the years,” said Zalaznick. “Their contributions, particularly through their strategic input around our most important growth initiatives, have been immeasurable. I know their leadership will be key to the continued growth of this newly expanded division.”

In her previous role as senior vice president, NBC Universal Women & Lifestyle Entertainment Networks communications, Blanchard was responsible for all communications strategies and outreach for Bravo Media and Oxygen Media since July 2008.

Prior to NBCU’s integration with Comcast, Cardinale served as the senior vice president of strategic insights, Women & Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, running all elements of the Bravo Media and Oxygen Media brand, consumer, program, media, and sales research, transforming consumer information into strategic business recommendations.

Since March 2007, Lazo had increasingly expanded her LA-based responsibilities, most recently serving as the executive vice President, human eesources for NBC Universal Television Entertainment group. Lazo has served on the NBC Universal board of directors and has recently been added to the Cable Television Human Resources Association board.