MIAMI — “New leadership functions” have come to Telemundo Global Studios some two weeks ahead of Nochebuena and the Christmas holiday.
As a result, the EVP of Production will exit the company but remain a Creative Advisor through a transition period under the direction of Studios President Marcos Santana.
According to the NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises unit, now housed in a gleaming facility in the far-western area of greater Miami, the leadership moves are being done to give Telemundo Global Studios, a producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., some new life.
The moves come as Telemundo, which has reveled of late for “closing the gap” in key ratings demographics against longtime rival Univision, has fallen behind in prime-time among overall audiences against Univision at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm Eastern/Pacific.
“This team of industry power players will propel our vision forward and continue to transform Telemundo as the preferred network for innovative and cutting-edge content,” Santana said.
The shifts see EVP/Production Ricardo Coeto exiting following a “transition period” in which he will serve as a Creative Advisor for scripted projects.
Earning a promotion to the role of SVP/Talent is Fabrizio Alcobe. His responsibilities will include programs aimed at finding and nurturing up-and-coming talent from around the world.
Additionally:
- Fernando Gastón takes the all-important role of VP/Productions and Development for Pilots, where he will oversee the production of the studios’ pilots for long scripted formats.
- Jorge Giraldo joins as Producer, and reporting to Santana. He will oversee all Studios productions in Colombia.
- Marcel Ferrer joins as a Producer, reporting to VP/Production Mariana Iskandarani, and will have oversight of the Studios productions in Mexico.
- Alejandra Serna is promoted to SVP/Production Management & Operations and will be responsible for overseeing production management, compliance, and efficiency within productions.
- Luis Zelkovich is promoted to Sr. Supervisor of 10 p.m. productions, the “Super Series” long-touted as a solution to what Hispanic audiences have craved in this time slot, versus “Cinderella”-styled telenovelas imported from Mexico by Televisa, which had been the hallmark of Univision in its heyday.
- Sergio Mendoza is promoted to Sr. Director of Scripted Development for 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. These time slots continue to offer the more traditional telenovela, similar to what is seen on both Azteca and Televisa in Mexico.
The remainder of the Studios executive team stays in place, with Perla Farías continuing as Head Writer and Miguel Varoni as VP/Creative Director.
Ignacio Barrera, SVP/Sales and Business Development, will continue to be responsible for sales and new business development for both Telemundo Internacional and Telemundo Global Studios and will oversee the Product Integration team.
Studios VP/Development Juan Marco Blanco will maintain a focus on building Telemundo Global Studios’ 10 p.m. Super Series.
For Dec. 6, Señora Acero — the current Super Series — struggled against first-division Mexican league soccer coverage on Univision. While many may say this is an anomaly, Univision has been a leader against Telemundo among adults 18-49 on several other nights of late.
Combined, Telemundo Global Studios and Telemundo International Studios produce an average of 900 hours of programming per year across Series, Premium and Super Series formats.
