For Cesar Conde, NBC’s Information Chief, Company Polish Meets Partisan Actuality

His efficiency impressed executives at NBC’s mum or dad firm, Comcast. In Might 2020, Jeff Shell, then the NBCUniversal chief government, put Mr. Conde in command of the NBC Information Group, changing a veteran newsman, Andrew Lack.

Privately, Mr. Shell acknowledged that Mr. Conde had a distinct background from his predecessor.

In keeping with two individuals conversant in his remarks, Mr. Shell mentioned that there are three kinds of leaders who run information organizations. “Journalists, politicians and businesspeople,” Mr. Shell mentioned, the 2 individuals recalled. “Cesar is a politician.”

Below Mr. Conde’s watch, the information division has expanded its digital efforts, and MSNBC and NBC’s flagship TV applications have continued to attract good scores. On Friday, Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast, praised Mr. Conde’s stewardship “during a time of transition” in media. “The performance of the News Group speaks to his great leadership especially during challenging times,” he mentioned in a press release.

A few of Mr. Conde’s strikes raised eyebrows within the NBC newsroom.

He organized for lists of on-air friends to be forwarded to his workplace, so he may drop by and greet influential and highly effective guests. When George W. Bush was interviewed on “Today” in 2021 by his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, Mr. Conde requested his workplace to ahead his biography to the previous president upfront, in accordance with two individuals conversant in the association. (Mr. Conde typically speaks admiringly about his time working as a fellow for then-Secretary of State Colin Powell beneath Mr. Bush.)

Mr. Conde additionally retained his board seats at Pepsi and Walmart, from which he earned greater than $640,000 in compensation final 12 months, in accordance with monetary filings. Information leaders often try to keep away from even the looks of battle of curiosity. Mr. Conde has mentioned he recuses himself from any editorial choices involving the 2 firms. (He’s additionally a trustee on the Aspen Institute, which sponsors the Concepts Competition; in 2021, beneath Mr. Conde, NBC Information Group signed a partnership to be the institute’s media companion.)