His efficiency impressed executives at NBC’s father or mother firm, Comcast. In Might 2020, Jeff Shell, then the NBCUniversal chief government, put Mr. Conde in control of the NBC Information Group, changing a veteran newsman, Andrew Lack.
Privately, Mr. Shell acknowledged that Mr. Conde had a distinct background from his predecessor.
Based on two individuals acquainted with his remarks, Mr. Shell mentioned that there are three varieties of leaders who run information organizations. “Journalists, politicians and businesspeople,” Mr. Shell mentioned, the 2 individuals recalled. “Cesar is a politician.”
Beneath Mr. Conde’s watch, the information division has expanded its digital efforts, and MSNBC and NBC’s flagship TV applications have continued to attract good rankings. On Friday, Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast, praised Mr. Conde’s stewardship “throughout a time of transition” in media. “The efficiency of the Information Group speaks to his nice management particularly throughout difficult instances,” he mentioned in a press release.
A few of Mr. Conde’s strikes raised eyebrows within the NBC newsroom.
He organized for lists of on-air friends to be forwarded to his workplace, so he may drop by and greet influential and highly effective guests. When George W. Bush was interviewed on “At this time” in 2021 by his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, Mr. Conde requested his workplace to ahead his biography to the previous president upfront, in line with two individuals acquainted with the association. (Mr. Conde typically speaks admiringly about his time working as a fellow for then-Secretary of State Colin Powell below Mr. Bush.)
Mr. Conde additionally retained his board seats at Pepsi and Walmart, from which he earned greater than $640,000 in compensation final yr, in line with monetary filings. Information leaders normally attempt to keep away from even the looks of battle of curiosity. Mr. Conde has mentioned he recuses himself from any editorial selections involving the 2 firms. (He’s additionally a trustee on the Aspen Institute, which sponsors the Concepts Pageant; in 2021, below Mr. Conde, NBC Information Group signed a partnership to be the institute’s media associate.)
