NBC News Appoints Executive Editors for Websites

New web team will head editorial efforts for NBCNews.com, Today.com and MSNBC.com

By George Winslow -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/2/2012 4:35:53 PM

NBC News Digital has appointed three new executive editors who will lead NBCNews.com, Today.com and MSNBC.com.

NBC News Digital was formed in July 2012, when NBC News acquired Microsoft's 50% stake in the MSNBC.com joint venture. The executive changes are part of an ongoing restructuring of those digital operations.

The new appointees include VP and executive editor Gregory Gittrich, who will oversee NBCNews.com and VP and executive editor Jennifer Brown who will oversee Today.com.

In addition, Richard Wolffe will become VP and executive editor of MSNBC.com, which launch in 2013 as the online site for the MSNBC cable news channel.

Along with the new appointments, NBC has confirmed that Charlie Tillinghast, who was general manager of the MSNBC.com joint venture, will be leaving the company.

The three new executive editors will be responsible for managing the editorial voice and growth strategy for the sites as well as existing apps and other digital extensions, NBC News Digital explained in the announcement.

Gittrich and Brown will report to Vivian Schiller, senior VP and chief digital officer of NBC News. Wolffe will report to Schiller on operations and MSNBC president Phil Griffin for editorial.

NBC News Digital also announced that Ryan Osborn, former senior director of digital media at NBC News, will become VP of digital innovation; Andrew Locke, former senior director of mobile and device products for NBC News Digital is promoted to VP of mobile and devices; John Keegan will assume the role of VP of technology strategy, where he will work alongside JoAnne Kennedy, who continues in her technology role from the Seattle area.

Those executives will report to Schiller.

"This team possesses a stunning amount of experience, vision and creativity that will propel the growth of our digital businesses and serve the needs and desires of our online audience," said Schiller in a statement. "We're looking forward to growing our digital properties and innovating around the best ways to deliver our high quality content."