NBC Universal has tapped Steve Mandala, senior vice president of sales for Telemundo, to head ad sales for its cable entertainment networks.
In the newly created position of executive vice president, cable ad sales for NBCU, Mandala will oversee the sales and marketing efforts for USA Network, Sci Fi Channel and Bravo, as well as Chiller, Sleuth and Uni HD. Mandala, who will report to Mike Pilot, NBCU sales and marketing, will continue to be responsible for sales at Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo during the transition period until his successor is named.
The move is part a reorganization under Pilot, who replaced Keith Turner as president of NBCU Sales and Marketing late in 2006. Last month, Pilot elevated Marianne Gambelli, who has been serving as executive vice president of NBCU sales and marketing since 2004, as president of the unit.
Mark Miller, senior vice president of USA and Sci Fi sales, and Bravo vice president of ad sales Susan Malfa will remain in their posts.
Mandala joined NBC Universal when the company purchased Telemundo in 2002. Since then, he has been instrumental in forging new business development strategies for the network, as well as developing a new go-to-market approach for the upfront. In addition, Mandala worked to create innovative, multi-platform marketing opportunities for clients, utilizing the full assets of Telemundo's broadcast, digital and cable properties.
He began working at Telemundo in 1997, joining from Univision Communications, where he was the vice president, west coast sales manager for five years. Before that, Mandala worked as an account executive at Telemundo-owned KVEA in Los Angeles from 1988 to1992.
“Our cable group has never been stronger, and Steve is the right executive to capitalize on that momentum and take our sales efforts to the next level,” said Pilot in a statement. “He's a terrific leader who has demonstrated great success in handling the complexities of a broadcast network, a cable network and a digital business – all at the same time.
"Steve has also done a great job in partnering with our clients to create a deeper and more innovative connection with Telemundo's programming, while also taking a leading role in expanding our existing client base,” Pilot continued. “I look forward to his continued success as we work to take an even more client-centric, strategic sales approach with our cable entertainment networks."
