Bill Stewart, who left the CMO position at Kmart in 2008 to volunteer for an organization dedicated to protecting gay marriage, will become the first “CMO-in-Residence� for NBC Universal in May. The quarterly program will tap the expertise of former chief marketing officers from major corporations. According to a news release, the ex-CMOs will work with the team to “leverage NBCU’s portfolio of assets to create customized, innovative, insights-driven programs tailored to meet clients’ business objectives.�

While ceding that Fox's Glenn Beck had done a good job in bringing in news viewers, it's still a small part of the overall business. MSNBC's Chris Matthews, at the MediaPost's Outfront event, says virtually all cable news shows -- Beck's or Matthews own "Hardball" is a small piece of the business – essentially “one percent.� Overall the diversity is good news, says Matthews, as compared to the “old days when all you had was Walter Cronkite.� What TV shows – news or otherwise – should people watch? Matthews says anything where you learn something.

When MediaPost senior writer David Goetzl asked Chris Matthews to, "Tell me something I don't know," Matthews responded, "You're smarter than I thought you were." Normally, that kind of back-handed complement would be an insult. Coming from Matthews, it was an accolade. And for the record, Matthews is right about Goetzl, which is probably one of the reasons he agreed to be interviewed by him at MEDIA magazine's Outfront 2010 conference today.

Nolan succeeds Chuck Marcy, CEO since 2005, who has decided to leave “to pursue outside interests,� according to the company. In the announcement release, Marcy expressed pride in the “significant progress the company has made� and confidence in its future success under Nolan’s leadership. Nolan is joining Breyers Yogurt from Sara Lee, where he has served since 2007 as EVP of Sara Lee Corp. and CEO of its $2-billion Sara Lee Fresh Bakery division. Sara Lee had announced Nolan’s resignation, effective April 9, to pursue another professional opportunity.--Karlene Lukovitz

Kraft Foodservice has chosen its 2010 “Chefs of Grey Pouponâ€� -- chefs who “embody the spirit of culinary creativity and accomplishmentâ€� and use the mustard brand in many of their successful signature creations. This year’s winners are Shannon Johnson, director of culinary, Applebee’s; Joshua Linton, executive chef, Aja & the Dana Hotel and Spa, Chicago; and Michael Siry, culinary director, branded restaurants, Big Daddy’s City Crab and Duke’s, New York City. The three will judge this year’s Grey Poupon-sponsored student culinary competition/scholarship program, to be held May 6 at the Viking Cooking School and Culinary Shop in …

Burton Tansky, long the face of The Neiman Marcus Group, will retire as president/CEO of the Dallas-based chain this October, and will be replaced by Karen W. Katz, currently president/CEO of Neiman Marcus Stores, and EVP of the Neiman Marcus Group. Tansky, 72, has been with the upscale Dallas-based retailer since 1989, when he joined as head of its Bergdorf Goodman unit; Katz has been with the company since 1985. Tansky will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board.--Sarah Mahoney