NBC COMMITS TO AGGRESSIVE DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGY FOCUSED ON MULTI-PLATFORM PROGRAMMING AND MARKETING INITIATIVES

Industry Innovator Robert Hayes Named Executive Vice President, Digital Media, NBC Entertainment

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - June 6, 2012 - In a move that underscores NBC Entertainment's commitment to maximize its programming value in the digital marketplace and its reach through emerging technologies, the network has named Robert Hayes to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Digital Media. He will report to Len Fogge, President, NBC Entertainment Marketing & Digital.

In jointly making the announcement, Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment, and Ted Harbert, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting, emphasized the strategic role of digital media in a highly competitive television landscape.

"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 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."

"As NBC expands its digital media reach," added Harbert, "we want to take full advantage of the synergy between programming, marketing and digital media which the interface between Rob, Len and Bob represents."

Hayes, a recognized innovator in digital entertainment, multi-platform marketing, content distribution and audience engagement, will oversee the network's day-to-day digital strategy and operations, encompassing NBC's various digital platforms and initiatives which include NBC.com, social media, online, mobile/apps, connected devices, multi-platform programming, product development, digital media business development and digital marketing.

"Digital media is an essential component of NBC's programming, marketing and monetization strategies," said Fogge. "Rob's demonstrated success as a creative digital media executive who understands the intersection between consumer behavior and emerging technologies makes him ideal to lead our initiatives in this area."

Hayes' hire signals the network's move to more closely align its digital and programming strategies by engaging fans, growing revenue, and enhancing digital marketing opportunities for NBC shows such as "Smash," "The Voice," "Grimm," "Up All Night" and "30 Rock."

Hayes comes to NBC from Iconic Entertainment Inc., where he served as COO, creating premium VOD channels for YouTube and other premium over-the-top distributors.

Prior to that, Hayes made his biggest impact at Showtime Networks Inc. where he oversaw all things digital for the premium network, developing robust multi-platform identities for such critically acclaimed shows as "Dexter," "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie," "Californication" and "The Tudors. " Under Hayes' leadership, Showtime broke new ground in developing a 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.

Earlier in his career, Hayes served as Vice President of Business Development and Vice President, International Business Development, assessing opportunities for Showtime and other Viacom brands, focusing on Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and at Home Box Office in the International Business Development and Operations group, launching HBO's first networks overseas.

Hayes has received numerous industry awards, including a 2010 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development for Showtime Sports Interactive; 2008 and 2010 Interactive Media Primetime Emmy nominations; iMedia Visionary Marketer of the Year Award; and CTAM and Promax Awards. His speaking engagements include CNBC, NPR, NAMIC, Consumer Electronic Show (CES), Jupiter Media Metrix, Promax/BDA, Digital Hollywood and Streaming Media West.