NBCUniversal Chief Executive Jeff Shell has stepped down from his position due to an “inappropriate relationship” with a female employee at the company. In a statement released by parent company Comcast, it was revealed that an investigation into Shell’s conduct was carried out by an external counsel. Comcast stated that Shell “mutually agreed” to depart the company immediately following the investigation. “Today is my last day as CEO of NBCUniversal,” Shell said in a statement. “I had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company, which I deeply regret.”
Comcast has not yet begun a search for a replacement for Shell. Comcast President Mike Cavanagh will assume the role of Shell’s senior team and lead the company in the interim. Comcast Chief Executive Brian Roberts said in a note to employees that nine executives, including Universal Pictures Chairwoman Donna Langley and entertainment networks chairman Frances Berwick, had reported to Shell.
It is unclear how long Shell had been involved in the inappropriate relationship. Comcast said it acted “quickly” after launching the investigation. The shake-up appears to have happened suddenly, with Shell involved in his regular duties throughout the previous week and having traveled to Philadelphia on Thursday to participate in festivities honoring Roberts.
Roberts and Cavanagh said in a note to employees, “We are disappointed to share this news with you. We built this company on a culture of integrity.” They also emphasized the importance of treating colleagues with respect and creating a safe workplace. The incident follows other recent high-profile sex scandals in the entertainment industry, including the ousting of longtime Universal studio executive Ron Meyer last year and former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Zucker being forced to resign from the top job at rival CNN after acknowledging an affair with his longtime communications chief.
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