Univision names new distribution chief

Univision Communications has promoted Tonia O’Connor to the newly-created position of chief commercial officer and president of content distribution.

O’Connor (pictured) will continue to oversee subscription on-demand service Univision NOW, remaining reporting into president and CEO Randy Falco at the US Hispanic broadcaster.

The news comes months after former Univision networks president Cesar Conde was named chairman of NBCU International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, which houses channels including Univision rival Telemundo.

In her new role, O’Connor will oversee Unvision’s corporate development and enterprise groups, which are merging to become a new unit, Univision Enterprise Development.

The division will look to incubate and launch new products and businesses, with O’Connor seeking out new business models and content distributors to work with.

“As chief commercial officer, Tonia will bring her focus, energy, extensive relationships and deep understanding of the consumer to identify new growth opportunities as we consolidate our efforts to provide Hispanic Americans with products and services that inform, empower and entertain,” said Falco.

O’Connor joined Univision in January 2008 as executive VP, distribution sales and marketing, and has since helped expand the company’s channels portfolio from three to 17 nets.

She joined from Gemstar TV Guide, where she held roles such as EVP, distribution.