In the ever-shifting world of Comcast's programming departments -- the cable unit that buys programming and the networks group that makes and sells it -- Alan Dannenbaum has gone back to cable.
Dannenbaum, who had moved to Jeff Shell's Programming Group (networks) two years ago from Matt Bond's content acquisition group (cable), is going back to work for Bond.
He'll lead cable contract negotiations with networks, as a senior VP, and join other Bond direct reports: content acquisition SVPs Jennifer Gaiski (a Multichannel News2009 Wonder Woman) and Allan Singer and new-media SVP Matt Strauss. Dannenbaum also was named EVP of satellite services.
Bond's extra busy these days, overseeing Comcast's initiative to extend cable subscribers' access to programming, dubbed On Demand Online. Also, Gaiski's headed out soon to have the baby she announced was on the way at the Wonder Women luncheon in March.
With Dannenbaum's departure, Shell has promoted Dana Zimmer and Dan Finnerty to EVP from SVP of network distribution and development for Comcast Networks. Comcast national networks include E!, Style, Golf Channel, Versus, G4, Sprout, on-demand channels and regional sports networks.
Though he goes from EVP to SVP, this is a promotion for Dannenbaum: Comcast has different executive titles at different divisions. Bond is an EVP while Shell is Comcast Programming Group president.
In statements from Comcast, Bond said: "Alan is an exceptional leader and is well respected throughout our industry. [He] will be the lead executive responsible for negotiating all key programming agreements and renewals, and the primary interface with all our content providers -- ensuring that we deliver our customers an unsurpassed entertainment experience."
Shell said: "Dana and Dan have been instrumental in expanding the distribution and development at Comcast Networks and they make an ideal team to support our future growth."
At Comcast HQ in Philadelphia, execs often move among cable and programming units when opportunities and needs arise. Marketer Eileen Diskin has gone from cable to programming and back to cable, for example, and Page Thompson left cable video services to run Golf Channel in 2007.
