CHUCK LABELLA NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT, ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING, NBC

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - January 27, 2012 -- Chuck LaBella has been named as Vice President of Talent Development, Alternative Programming, NBC, it was announced today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC.

An Emmy Award-nominated producer, talent and development executive, LaBella has created and produced original entertainment across the spectrum of television. LaBella's expertise in bringing key talent to a wide variety of projects has been essential to the success of many series and specials across many television genres.

"We are excited to make this announcement official since we have worked with Chuck for so many years where he has contributed to the success of our shows as well as others," said Telegdy. "With the volume of our talent needs we will benefit greatly from his knack for finding and nurturing key talent and hit shows. He is an invaluable addition and his appointment is an important step in our future."

LaBella has a long list of diverse credits, including as a talent producer for five seasons of NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "Last Comic Standing," the History Channel's "Top Gear USA," and most recently, the Food Network's "Rachael Vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off." He has also served as a talent consultant for NBC's Alternative Series and Specials department and as the Executive in Charge of Talent for the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

Along with developing projects and specials for the Museum of Television & Radio's Paley Center, LaBella has consulted for Double Z Enterprises, one of Ireland's top entertainment companies and the producers of "The Bronx Bunny Show" and "Podge & Rodge."

After starting his entertainment career in New York as an NBC intern, LaBella became an on-air talent producer for Westwood One Radio, working and developing relationships with artists such as Paul McCartney, The Who, Paul Simon and more. From there, he became a producer at a startup cable network, working for Roger Ailes on "America's Talking," which would later become MSNBC. This led to a position as a talent producer for Comedy Central's "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher." When ABC bought the show and moved it to Los Angeles, LaBella moved with it, and built a reputation for seeking out talent such as Trace Adkins, Ann Coulter, Arianna Huffington and Christine O'Donnell, that would go on to national prominence.

When "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" launched, LaBella was hired to book music guests and performances. LaBella helped provide a platform for new and breaking artists such as the Dixie Chicks and Train. He went on to produce a multitude of series and specials for network and cable, including "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "Crank Yankers," "Thank God You're Here," "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" and NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?"