Robert Charles Wright
Encyclopedia
Robert Charles "Bob" Wright (born 1943) was a U.S.
television businessman, having served as Chairman of NBC Universal
. He graduated from Chaminade High School
, the College of the Holy Cross
and earned an LLB from the University of Virginia
Law School.
He was named president and CEO of NBC
in 1986 by new General Electric
boss Jack Welch
. In 2001, he became chairman and CEO. In May 2004, NBC's parent company, General Electric
, acquired Vivendi Universal Entertainment to create NBC Universal
; Wright, who orchestrated the deal, was named chairman and CEO of the new company. In February 2007, Wright, after 21 years, was succeeded by Jeff Zucker
, who was named president and CEO of NBC Universal. Wright remained chairman of the media company until May 2007 and remained vice chairman of GE until May 2008.
Wright had one of the longest and most successful tenures of any media company chief executive. Under his leadership, NBC was transformed from a broadcast network into a global media powerhouse, with leadership in TV programming, station ownership, and television production. In 1986, Wright's first year at NBC, the network had revenues of $2.6 billion. By 2006, his last full year at the helm, company revenues had grown to $16.2 billion. During Wright's tenure, NBC was GE's most successful business, enjoying double-digit compounded annual growth in operating profit.
Among his achievements, Wright diversified NBC by launching cable networks such as CNBC (the world's leading name in broadcast business news) and MSNBC (a leading news cable outlet and website). He also acquired entertainment cable network Bravo and Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, before orchestrating the VUE acquisition, which added to NBC the Universal Pictures film studio, Universal theme parks, and a collection of fast-growing and profitable cable networks such as USA Network and SCI FI Network (now called Syfy).
Before taking the helm of NBC in 1986, Wright was president of GE Financial Services, and before that, president of Cox Cable Communications. Before that, he had a diversified career in general management, marketing, and broadcasting, much of it with GE. As of 5/2008, he is serving as the head of Media Mergers and Acquisitions at Thomas Lee Equity.
After his grandson was diagnosed with autism
in 2004, he and his wife, Suzanne, established a foundation called Autism Speaks
, which is now the largest organization representing families and people with autism in the U.S. with affiliates in the U.K., Canada and Qatar. His three children Katie, Chris, and Maggie, all reside in New York City.
(Through 2008, Bob and Suzanne were residents of Southport (Fairfield), Conn., where they had lived for 25 years.)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television businessman, having served as Chairman of NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
. He graduated from Chaminade High School
Chaminade High School
Chaminade High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory high school for young men. Located in Mineola, New York, the school was founded in 1930 by the Society of Mary , an international Roman Catholic teaching order of priests and religious Brothers. The school is named for Father William...
, the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
and earned an LLB from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
Law School.
He was named president and CEO of NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in 1986 by new General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
boss Jack Welch
Jack Welch
John Francis "Jack" Welch, Jr. is an American chemical engineer, business executive, and author. He was Chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001...
. In 2001, he became chairman and CEO. In May 2004, NBC's parent company, General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
, acquired Vivendi Universal Entertainment to create NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
; Wright, who orchestrated the deal, was named chairman and CEO of the new company. In February 2007, Wright, after 21 years, was succeeded by Jeff Zucker
Jeff Zucker
Jeffrey "Jeff" Zucker is an American television executive and former President and CEO of NBCUniversal.-Personal life:Zucker was born to Jewish-American parents in Homestead, Florida, near Miami. His father was a cardiologist, and his mother, Arlene, was a school teacher...
, who was named president and CEO of NBC Universal. Wright remained chairman of the media company until May 2007 and remained vice chairman of GE until May 2008.
Wright had one of the longest and most successful tenures of any media company chief executive. Under his leadership, NBC was transformed from a broadcast network into a global media powerhouse, with leadership in TV programming, station ownership, and television production. In 1986, Wright's first year at NBC, the network had revenues of $2.6 billion. By 2006, his last full year at the helm, company revenues had grown to $16.2 billion. During Wright's tenure, NBC was GE's most successful business, enjoying double-digit compounded annual growth in operating profit.
Among his achievements, Wright diversified NBC by launching cable networks such as CNBC (the world's leading name in broadcast business news) and MSNBC (a leading news cable outlet and website). He also acquired entertainment cable network Bravo and Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, before orchestrating the VUE acquisition, which added to NBC the Universal Pictures film studio, Universal theme parks, and a collection of fast-growing and profitable cable networks such as USA Network and SCI FI Network (now called Syfy).
Before taking the helm of NBC in 1986, Wright was president of GE Financial Services, and before that, president of Cox Cable Communications. Before that, he had a diversified career in general management, marketing, and broadcasting, much of it with GE. As of 5/2008, he is serving as the head of Media Mergers and Acquisitions at Thomas Lee Equity.
After his grandson was diagnosed with autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
in 2004, he and his wife, Suzanne, established a foundation called Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
, which is now the largest organization representing families and people with autism in the U.S. with affiliates in the U.K., Canada and Qatar. His three children Katie, Chris, and Maggie, all reside in New York City.
(Through 2008, Bob and Suzanne were residents of Southport (Fairfield), Conn., where they had lived for 25 years.)