Jeff Gaspin
| Jeff Gaspin | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Jeffrey Mark Gaspin December 29, 1960 Bayside, New York, U.S. |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Alma mater |
Binghamton University (B.A.) New York University (M.B.A.) |
| Occupation | formerly Chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment |
| Employer | formerly NBC Universal |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Gaspin |
| Website | Gaspin's Executive Biography at NBC Universal |
Jeffrey Mark "Jeff" Gaspin (born December 29, 1960) is an American television executive and former Chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment. Gaspin resigned his position in late 2010, as a precursor to Comcast taking controlling ownership of the now newly rechristened NBCUniversal, which occurred on January 28, 2011. Robert Greenblatt, former President of Entertainment of Showtime Networks Inc., succeeded Gaspin.
Early life
Jeff Gaspin was born into a Jewish family in Bayside, New York. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, so he took pre-med courses. "That's what you did when you were Jewish and growing up on Long Island. You had to be a doctor or a lawyer because those were the professions that got you more."[1]
In the late 1970s, he enrolled as a Pre-Med Student at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York. Originally taking biology and chemistry courses, he decided to change paths in his junior year and switched to a double major in psychology and business administration. He received a B.A. from Binghamton in 1982. After graduation, looking towards a career in finance, he enrolled in New York University from which he received an M.B.A..[2]
Beginning of business career
After finding no jobs on Wall Street in Finance, Gaspin looked at an associates program at NBC. After spending five years in the NBC finance department, he shifted to news programming at the urging of Michael Gartner, who was at the time the President of NBC News. After time, he then shifted to entertainment programming.[2] During this tenure, Gaspin helped to develop and launch the critically acclaimed Dateline NBC as well as expanding The Today Show to its current seven-day schedule. In 1996, Gaspin left NBC to go to head program development at VH1. Returning to NBC in 2001, Gaspin was named Executive Vice President of Program Strategy at NBC Entertainment where he helped to develop new programs such as The Apprentice and Biggest Loser. In 2002, NBC acquired the Bravo Network and Gaspin was named its new President. Some of his most noteworthy accomplishments were the massive hits Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Project Runway. He was named President of NBC Universal Cable and Digital Content in 2007.[3]
Current career
In July 2009, Gaspin was promoted to Chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment. Some of the businesses he is responsible for are NBC Entertainment (home to hits such as The Office, 30 Rock, and The Tonight Show), cable channels USA Network and Bravo, and NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution which distributes such shows as The Martha Stewart Show and The Jerry Springer Show.[3]
In 2013, Gaspin founded TAPP TV, a subscription-based online TV network, along with Jon Klein, former president of CNN US.[4][5]
Personal life
He currently resides in Hidden Hills, California with his wife, Karen, and children Max, Ben, and Samantha.
References
- ↑ Meg James (August 3, 2009). "Jeff Gaspin cast in the spotlight at NBC Universal". LA Times. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- 1 2 "NBC Executive Shows Clear Eye for the Straight Hit". Binghamton University Alumni Association. Fall 2004. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
- 1 2 "NBC Universal Executive Biographies". NBC Universal. 2008. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
- ↑ Arlens, Chris. "Former CNN Chief Jon Klein & Former NBC Exec Jeff Gaspin Launch TAPP".
- ↑ Wallenstein, Andrew. "CNN, NBCU Alums Jon Klein, Jeff Gaspin Team Up for Online Video Venture".
| Preceded by Ben Silverman |
Chairman of NBC Entertainment 2009-2010 |
Succeeded by Robert Greenblatt |