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Another former top Showtime executive is joining Bob Greenblatt at NBC. Robert Hayes has joined the network in the newly created position of EVP, Digital Media. He will oversee the network’s day-to-day digital strategy and operations, reporting to Len Fogge, President, NBC Entertainment Marketing & Digital. Hayes replaces longtime NBCUniversal digital chief Vivi Zigler who is leaving the company. Zigler held a president title, Hayes is an EVP; she reported to NBC chairman Ted Harbert, Hayes reports to Fogge. “It’s critical that we do everything possible to light up digital media in order to help rebuild the primetime schedule. And there’s no one better to lead this effort than Rob Hayes,” said NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt. “I saw the effect he had at Showtime firsthand, and it’s no accident that the pay network’s explosion coincided with its digital innovations.”
At Showtime Networks, Hayes served as SVP and GM, Digital Media, overseeing all things digital. He developed the network’s digital business strategy that included the first deals for premium television with iTunes, Amazon and Netflix, among others. During his tenure, the network enjoyed its greatest growth spurt from 12 million to more than 18 million subscribers. At NBC, Hayes reunites with fellow Showtime alums Greenblatt, Fogge and head of communications Richard Licata. Hayes most recently served as COO of Iconic Entertainment, creating premium VOD channels for YouTube and other distributors.
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First big mistake I’ve seen Bob Greenblatt make. Vivi Zigler is top-notch, not her fault that the content she was receiving was not so good.
I worked for Vivi at NBC for four years and can easily say she helped lift that department to where it is today, helping them earn Emmys and Webbys along the way. She was a role model for so many women in the industry, including myself. Sorry to see her be forced out like this.
Great choice! Rob is top notch talent. Hopefully he can clean up NBC.com and help the messnbc digital efforts, god knows they need it.
Bob Greenblatt should just call every single exec. at Showtime and ask them to join him… oh wait, he’s already done that! This schmuck obviously can’t function on his own. NBC was lucky to have Vivi as long as they did. What a mess.
Robert Hayes’s predecessor may have made many contributions to NBC in her 19 years at the company but digital wasn’t one of them. NBC has, for years, been a laggard in digital when compared to very other broadcast network and even a few of the cable nets. I represented Amazon in several negotiations with Robert when he was a Showtime and NBC could not be more fortunate to have him. Congratulations.
Rob Hayes is a really smart and talented executive. Very happy for him .
Vivi was nice but an old fashioned, behind the times, tv exec. NBC lagged behind in this space for years. Rob will do a great job bringing NBC into the current and next generation of where the business is.
Can someone name one forward-thinking move that Showtime has made in digital that HBO hasn’t made first?
Vivi is one of the best. Any way you cut it, this is a big loss for NBC in terms of people/experience/etc.
Also, how ‘with it’ NBC is/was/will be is not at the mercy of their digital head obviously, folks (be it Zigler or Hayes). Zigler did things like start a digital studio (Comcast closed it down if you recall). So let’s have a little perspective about how you bring a big corporate horse to the digital water.
No one can hold a candle to Vivi’s integrity, diligence and professionalism. She will be sorely missed.
Re Amazonian: How was NBC lagging in digital exactly? 4th place network but 1st in unique users every single year. First to stream full episodes, first with a digital studio, more awards than competitors. Vivi did more and cared more about the company than anyone will ever know. Huge loss for NBC. Huge.