Jeff Shell
Jeff Shell | |
|---|---|
 On 2013 | |
| Born | 1965 (age 59–60) Michigan, U.S. |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley Harvard University[1] |
| Known for | Former CEO of NBCUniversal |
| Relatives | Dana Shell Smith (sister) |
Jeff Shell is an American media executive who served as the CEO for NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast, from 2019 to 2023.
Career
In 2001, Shell served as president of FOX Cable Network Group and then as president of Comcast Programming Group. In 2019, it was announced that he would succeed Steve Burke as CEO of NBCUniversal.[2] Shell assumed the role on January 1, 2020, and reports directly to Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts.[3]
In April 2008, Shell signed an open letter endorsing Barack Obama for the Pennsylvania primary.[4] He was named by President Barack Obama as chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors replacing Sony Pictures executive Michael Lynton.[5]
In May 2020, The New York Times reported that Shell was considering replacing CNBC's current primetime offerings of business reality shows with right-wing talk shows, in a bid to appeal to conservative viewers.[6]
On April 23, 2023, NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell announced that he would be leaving the company effective immediately following an outside investigation into a complaint of inappropriate conduct. Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, made the announcement on Sunday, confirming that Shell and Comcast had mutually agreed on his departure. The investigation was led by an outside counsel and focused on the complaint of inappropriate conduct.[7]
In his statement, Shell confirmed that he had an inappropriate relationship with a woman within the company, which he deeply regretted. He apologized to his colleagues at Comcast and NBCUniversal, stating that they were the most talented people in the business and that it had been a privilege to work with them for the last 19 years.[7]
Personal life
Shell is married to Laura Fay Shell. Laura previously worked for Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky as his planning deputy until 2005.[5] His sister is Dana Shell Smith,[8] and his brother is Dan Shell of IMG College.[9]
In 2015, he was awarded the Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Human Relations Award by the American Jewish Committee.[8] Shell is a 2010 inductee into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[10]
In January 2019, Shell, along with Cindy Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber, Mike Meldman, and Jay Sures, announced they would purchase the Beverly Hills deli, Nate 'n Al, to keep its doors open after three generations of family ownership.[11][12]
References
- ^ James, Meg (December 16, 2019). "Jeff Shell to become chief executive of NBCUniversal in January". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt; Low, Elaine; Otterson, Joe (December 13, 2019). "Jeff Shell: Who Is the NBCUniversal Heir Apparent?". Variety.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (December 16, 2013). "NBCUniversal Anoints Jeff Shell As CEO, Setting New Year's Day Start To Tenure". Deadline Hollywood.
Burke, 61, has not indicated what his next move may be.
- ^ Eden, Ami (April 1, 2008). "Pa. Jews for Obama". Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
- ^ a b Masters, Kim (July 31, 2013). "NBCU Executive Jeff Shell Buys Beverly Hills Home, Spurs Talk of New L.A. Job (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Smith, Ben (2020-05-31). "Record Ratings and Record Chaos on Cable News". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
- ^ a b Maruf, Ramishah (2023-04-23). "NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell to leave company after probe into 'inappropriate relationship with a woman' | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
- ^ a b Torok, Ryan (October 29, 2015). "Moving and shaking: AFMDA Humanitarian Award, Tour de Summer Camps and more". Jewish Journal.
AJC, an advocacy organization focusing on Israel and domestic issues, awarded Jeff Shell, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman, the Dorothy and Sherrill C. Corwin Human Relations Award — the highest honor AJC bestows upon members of the entertainment industry.
- ^ "The Shell brothers on TV viewing habits and the rise of soccer and esports". LA Business Journal. November 1, 2016.
- ^ "Jeff Shell". Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. 2010.
- ^ "Irving Azoff, Hollywood A-Listers Team to Save Legendary Deli Nate 'n Al". The Hollywood Reporter. January 11, 2019.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (January 13, 2019). "Hollywood Power Players Assemble to Save Iconic Deli Nate 'n Al". Variety. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
- Living people
- American television executives
- NBC executives
- NBC chief executive officers
- Comcast people
- NBCUniversal people
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- UC Berkeley College of Engineering alumni
- Harvard Business School alumni
- 1965 births
- 20th-century American Jews
- 21st-century American Jews