MIAMI — In March 2016, a promotion was seen at Univision News, putting an individual who joined what was then Univision Communications in 2011 in the role of President of News. On August 1, 2021, he would exit what had become TelevisaUnivision.
Now, Daniel Coronell is returning to his former role, and that’s generating some chatter across Hispanic media for two reasons. Not only is he coming back to Univision News, but some wonder if it is snub to the woman serving as Executive Vice President of Univision News.
María Martínez-Guzmán will continue as the division’s EVP, overseeing editorial and production units of news properties that include the flagship newscast Noticiero Univision.
Martínez-Guzmán has been serving as Univision News’ President on an interim basis since mid-July, when Leopoldo Gómez exited the role to pursue other interests.
Gómez succeeded Coronell, with his October 2021 acceptance of the role of President at Univision News resulting in a relocation to Miami from Mexico City. For 23 years, he had served as VP of News at Televisa.
With Gómez’s arrival, Martinez-Guzman rose from SVP of News to the EVP role, continuing a trajectory upward at Univision that began in 2002, when she joined the network after four years at company-owned KNVO-48 in McAllen-Brownsville, Tex.
With chismes over Cafecito focused on the return of Coronell being seen across El Gran Miami, TelevisaUnivision affirmed its belief that Coronell as a No. 1 and Martínez-Guzmán as a No. 2 is the best recipe for Univision News — even as the company negates the leadership structure implemented two years ago.
“This proven and unique duo, together with the extraordinary news team, is well-positioned to maintain and strengthen the leadership of Univision News in Spanish-language news coverage in the U.S., particularly ahead of the 2024 elections,” the company said in a statement released late Thursday.
Coronell first joined the Univision News team in early 2011 as Vice President and News Director; in 2012 he was named Senior Vice President and Executive News Director, and in 2014 to his most recent position as Executive Vice President and Executive Director of News.
Prior to that, Coronell developed a reputation as an internationally renowned investigative journalist with over 20 years of experience in broadcast and print media in his native Colombia. He previously served as director of “Noticias Uno,” a national newscast airing on Colombia’s Canal Uno television network, and also directed national newscasts for RCN TV. Additionally, he is a regular columnist for the Colombian news and current affairs magazine Semana.
