Bill Nelson has been named Chairman and CEO of Home Box Office, taking the helm left vacant last month when Chris Albrecht was ousted after being arrested for assault (5/10/07 TVBR #92). Nelson, who had been COO, had been acting Chairman and CEO for the past few weeks.
HBO also announced a new senior leadership structure, promoting three veteran HBO executives – Harold Akselrad, Eric Kessler and Richard Plepler – to the newly created positions of HBO Co-President, reporting to Nelson. Under the new structure, Akselrad will manage legal and business affairs, film acquisition and HBO's technology groups, as well as continue to serve as HBO's General Counsel; Kessler will oversee the marketing and worldwide distribution of HBO networks and content; and Plepler will have responsibility for HBO's programming and corporate communications.
"Bill Nelson is a superb executive with outstanding leadership skills, expertise and experience. Jeff Bewkes and I are very pleased that Bill, along with his extraordinary management team, will be leading HBO into the future. Today's appointments highlight the depth and strength of HBO's senior leadership. Each of these executives has been instrumental in HBO's success over the past 15 years. We're confident that, under their guidance, HBO's edge will get even sharper, fresher and more pronounced," Time Warner Dick parsons said in announcing the new management lineup for HBO.
