• by Wayne Friedman , October 12, 2012

Longtime NBC advertising executive Marianne Gambelli has departed the company. Her exit comes on the heels of Linda Yaccarino ascending to run all of NBC's national broadcast and cable television networks.

Yaccarino became president of ad sales of NBCUniversal in September -- running all of NBC national TV assets -- after becoming president of cable entertainment and digital advertising sales for NBCUniversal in October 2011.

Yaccarino took over the cable position from David Cassaro who led NBC's cable efforts for nine months after Comcast Corp. took over NBCUniversal's assets in late January 2011.

Gambelli, who had been president of advertising sales for the NBC Television Network, came to the company in 1989. She had been effectively running all of NBC's broadcast network business since Michael Pilot departed soon after Comcast Corp. took over NBC. As the top ad executive, she had steered NBC through two upfronts since the Comcast deals was officially completed.

In a memo to her staff on Friday, Gambelli said: "After a great deal of thought, I have come to the realization that it's time for me to make a change. Today will be my last day at NBCUniversal. This was not an easy decision for me to make, but it's time for me to explore new opportunities."

An NBC statement said: "Marianne has been a valued member of our sales organization for many years. We have nothing but tremendous respect and admiration for her, and we thank her for her many contributions to NBCUniversal."

advertisement

advertisement