Cesar Conde Leaves Univision for NBCU Gig

     Cesar Conde

Univision Nets pres Cesar Conde is headed to NBCU, where he’ll serve as evp and report to CEO Steve Burke. It’s a huge role, and an interesting one for a man who has made it a mission to reflect America’s multicultural and multilingual programming on TV. Beyond Univision, where he has served as pres since ’09, Conde is the chairman and co-founder of Futuro Program, a non-profit that provides role models and educational workshops to Hispanic high school students. "Although we see the continuing growth and influence of Hispanics in the US, I believe we need to see more of a push for minorities to be behind and in front of the cameras and in key roles, not only as influencers, but as decision makers," Conde recently told Cfax.

In his newly created post at NBCU, he’ll focus on business development, strategic priorities and special business projects across the portfolio of assets. He’ll also oversee the Intl Group led by newly appointed chmn Kevin MacLellan. During his 10 years at Univision, the programmer’s portfolio grew from 3 broadcast and cable nets to 14. And who can forget Univision nabbing the #1 spot among all networks in adults 18-49 and 18-34 in July sweeps—a first for the Spanish-language net. "Cesar is an impressive business executive with both traditional and emerging media expertise," Burke said in Conde’s hiring announcement. "His experience leading multiple domestic and international businesses will be instrumental in maximizing all the opportunities to grow our portfolio."

Before joining Univision in ’03, Conde was very familiar with NCTA chief Michael Powell‘s father, serving as the White House Fellow for Sec of State Colin Powell. Conde’s departure comes a little more than a month before the launch of Fusion, the English-language jv between Univision and ABC News, a venture of which he has been at the forefront. Univision announced a reorg that will have Alberto Ciurana (programming and content pres), Juan Carlos Rodriguez (pres, Univision Deportes) and Isaac Lee (pres, News) report directly to Univision Comm pres/CEO Randy Falco. "They are largely responsible for the recent success and tremendous momentum of our Network business. This new management structure provides us with an opportunity to be even more nimble going forward and I look forward to working with the entire Network team and supporting their continued success," Falco said in a statement.

ED NOTE: This article originally appeared in CableFAX Daily. Go here to subscribe.