A Conversation with Cesar Conde, Chairman, NBCUniversal International Group & Telemundo Enterprises

Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, discusses how Telemundo is driving growth in Hispanic media with innovative original content, higher production values and contemporary storylines that reflect the changes in Hispanics’ media consumption, and reaching out to younger viewers who are more multicultural – 100% Latino and 100% American - through first-ever digital partnerships. We’ll hear about his vision and strategy for entertainment, news and sports content, including their successful Super Series and bio-musicals inspired by icons of Hispanic culture, as well as his plans for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Cesar Conde
Chairman, NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Cesar Conde is Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. Conde serves on the Executive Committee of NBCUniversal and reports to NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke.

NBCUniversal International Group is responsible for the operations and international expansion of NBCUniversal businesses outside of North America. The group is comprised of the NBCU International TV and Film group, NBCU International Networks and NBCU International Production divisions. Conde also oversees NBCU Digital Enterprises comprised of emerging digital properties.

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises oversees and operates a premier and fast-growing portfolio of media properties serving Hispanic America. It is comprised of the Telemundo Network, NBC Universo Cable Network, Telemundo International, Telemundo Local Stations, Telemundo Digital Media & Emerging Business and Telemundo Deportes.

Conde joined NBCUniversal in October 2013 as Executive Vice President of NBCUniversal where he oversaw NBCU International and NBCU Digital Enterprises. Prior to NBCUniversal, Conde was the President of Univision Networks. He joined Univision in 2003 and served in a variety of senior executive capacities and is credited with transforming it into a leading global, multi-platform media brand. Under his leadership, Univision’s main broadcast network became the number one network in America (July 2013) regardless of language for the first time in the company’s 50-year history, and experienced record ratings and profitability during his tenure. With Conde’s oversight, Univision Networks’ portfolio grew from three to 12 broadcast and cable networks.

Social and community initiatives are core to Conde’s business approach and he has emphasized the importance of empowerment initiatives for the Hispanic community. At NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, he led the launch of “El Poder En Ti,” the company’s robust community initiative aimed at empowering viewers to take action for a better life in three specific areas of key importance to U.S. Hispanics: education (Tú Educación), health (Tú Salud), and finance (Tú Dinero). While at Univision, he spearheaded the development of the “Es el Momento” national education initiative with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, led the “Ya es Hora” Latino citizenship and voter campaign and launched the network’s first “Teletón USA” broadcast to raise funds for disabled children in need of rehabilitation services.

Prior to Univision, Conde served as the White House Fellow for Secretary of State Colin L. Powell from 2002–2003. Previously, he worked at StarMedia Network, the first internet company focused on Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking audiences globally, and in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Salomon Smith Barney.

Conde serves on the board of directors of both PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) and Owens Corning (NYSE: OC). Conde is a Trustee of both the Aspen Institute and the Paley Center for Media. He is a Full Member at the Council on Foreign Relations and a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum. He sits on the board of the Foundation for Excellence in Education and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. He holds a B.A. with honors from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Moderated By:
Cynthia Littleton
Managing Editor, TV, Variety

Cynthia Littleton is Managing Editor, TV at Variety. She has covered the television beat for the past 20 years. She began her career at United Press International, followed by stints at Broadcasting & Cable magazine, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter, where she rose to Editor before rejoining Variety in 2007.

Cynthia is the author of TV on Strike: Why Hollywood Went to War Over the Internet (Syracuse University Press, 2013), the definitive account of the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike and the impact of the disruptive digital advancements that fueled the labor strife. She is also the co-author with Susanne Daniels of Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of the WB Network and UPN (HarperCollins, 2007).

This event is exclusive to Media Council members and other invited guests. To find out more about Media Council membership, contact mediacouncil@paleycenter.org.