Staab To Head NBCU Local

Wallace will replace Eck as president, NBCU Media Works

By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/4/2011 12:55:04 PM

NBC Universal has named Valari Dobson Staab as president, NBC Local Media.

Staab replaces John Wallace, who has been named president, NBC Universal Media Works. Wallace is taking over responsibilities handled by John Eck, who is leaving the company.

Staab had been president and general manager of KGO, the ABC owned station in San Francisco. She will report to Ted Harbert, Chairman of NBC Broadcasting. She will be responsible for NBC's ten TV stations, its local online properties and digital out-of-home division. She will also oversee LX.TV and the in-house marketing and promotion company Skycastle Entertainment.

"We're thrilled to have an executive of Valari's caliber join our Local Media group. Throughout her career in local television she's had tremendous success growing the businesses she's worked for and placing a premium on creating quality local news that resonates with viewers," said Harbert in a statement. "She will do an outstanding job building on the great work of our Local Media group as we continue to invest in our stations and establish them as leaders in their markets."

Staab officially joins NBCU in June.

Wallace, president of NBC Local Media since 2007, will be responsible for the company's technology and studio operations. He will also oversee NBCU's real estate portfolio. Those were previously Eck's responsibilities.

Wallace reports to Pat Fili-Krushel, executive VP at NBCU. "John has shown tremendous skill and creativity running our Local Media group, reshaping the organization and guiding the stations through a time of digital transformation," she said. "I look forward to his continued ingenuity running our vast technical and studio operations, helping to keep NBCUniversal at the forefront of today's rapidly evolving digital landscape."

She added, "I'd like to thank John Eck for his many years of service at NBCUniversal, culminating in his role leading our Media Works organization. John also played an integral role in the NBCUniversal and Comcast integration, helping to ensure a smooth transition between the companies."