Under Mr. Conde’s leadership at NBC News, his performance impressed executives at NBC’s parent company, Comcast. In May 2020, Jeff Shell appointed Mr. Conde to head the NBC News Group, replacing veteran newsman Andrew Lack. Although Mr. Conde had a different background from his predecessor, Mr. Shell acknowledged that he was a politician rather than a journalist or businessperson. Despite this, Mr. Conde has overseen the expansion of the news division’s digital efforts and maintained strong ratings for MSNBC and NBC’s flagship TV programs.
During Mr. Conde’s tenure, the performance of the News Group has been praised by Comcast president Mike Cavanagh for his leadership during a time of media transition. However, some of Mr. Conde’s actions have raised eyebrows within the NBC newsroom. He has arranged for lists of on-air guests to be forwarded to his office so that he can greet influential visitors. Additionally, when former President George W. Bush was interviewed on “Today” by his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, Mr. Conde asked his office to send his biography to the former president in advance. Mr. Conde’s connections to corporations such as Pepsi and Walmart, from which he earned over $640,000 in compensation last year, have also drawn attention.
Mr. Conde has stated that he recuses himself from any editorial decisions involving the companies he has ties to and retains his board seats at Pepsi and Walmart. He has also retained his position as a trustee at the Aspen Institute, which sponsors the Ideas Festival. Under his leadership, NBC News Group signed a partnership with the institute to be its media partner in 2021. Despite concerns about potential conflicts of interest, Mr. Conde has continued to lead the News Group effectively and navigate the challenges of the media industry.
Overall, Mr. Conde’s leadership at NBC News has been marked by successful digital expansion and maintaining strong ratings for NBC’s news programs. While some of his actions have raised concerns among NBC employees, his performance has been praised by Comcast executives for his leadership during a challenging time for the media industry. By maintaining strong connections to corporations and organizations like Pepsi, Walmart, and the Aspen Institute, Mr. Conde has been able to navigate potential conflicts of interest and continue to lead the News Group effectively. His experience as a politician has brought a unique perspective to the role and has contributed to the success of the news division under his leadership.
