Gus O'Brien Names NBC Universal's New President of International Channels and Direct-to-Consumer

After leading the Latin American area of NBC Universal, Gus O’Brien amplía sus responsabilidades como presidente de la división International Networks & Direct-to-consumer.

O'Brien will assume this new position on April 1, while Ken Bedplate, current president of the group, will go on to play a advisor role, focused on key international projects from NBC Universal Media Group. The announcement was made by Matt Strauss, Chairman de NBCUniversal Media Group, quien ha explicado la decisión: “Nuestro portafolio de International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer lleva algunas de nuestras marcas más queridas a audiencias de todo el mundo, incluyendo un conjunto de canales populares, el servicio híbrido lineal/no lineal Universal+, y el servicio SVOD de reality shows Hayu. Gus es un digno sucesor de Ken Bettsteller, quien ha sido un líder fundamental en nuestra compañía durante más de dos décadas, y estoy entusiasmado de que aporte su liderazgo innovador al grupo en general, trabajando junto al equipo de gestión internacional para seguir fortaleciendo y respaldando estas marcas”.

O'Brien assumes his new position after serving as Managing Director, Latin America from 2020. In this period, he has managed long-term strategic alliances in Latin America and Brazil, as well as led the transition of a business based on cable channels towards streaming through the launch of Universal+.

In parallel, NBC Universal announces that Hendrik McDermott will expand his current responsibility at the head of Europe, Middle East and Africa Networks & DTC, and of let, which this month celebrates its tenth anniversary, to incorporate all operations Direct-to-Consumer within the group's international footprint. Your new position will be Managing Director, International DTC & EMEA, Canada.