Worldwide COO heads to NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal has hired David Gibbons, the former BBC Worldwide COO.

He will be senior VP, international operations and technology at the overseas arm of the US studio, reporting to operations president Ian Trombley and chairman Kevin MacLellan.

At Worldwide he was COO, working on the commercial arm of the BBC’s direct-to-consumer initiatives such as the BBC Store and other projects. Prior to taking the COO role earlier this year he was Worldwide’s global technology chief.

The commercial arm of the BBC has not announced a replacement for Gibbons, and told TBI it is looking at how it handles the COO role.

Gibbon’s hire marks the second time that NBCU has poached a Worldwide COO in recent years, after Sarah Cooper’s hire in 2013.

Gibbon’s exit for a commercial rival also follows CFO Andrew Bott’s defection to FremantleMedia. He has since been replaced by former Shine Group exec Tom Fusell.

MacLellan said: “David will be a strong contributor in augmenting NBCUniversal International’s digital leadership at a transitional time that presents many incredibly exciting opportunities”.

Gibbons said: “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to work with Kevin, Ian and the entire NBCUniversal family at a time of growth and change within our industry.

“NBCU International has some exciting plans for its strategic growth and I’m looking forward to applying my experience from a variety of global organisations to delivering on those ambitions.”