Bloomberg names nead of multimedia operations

Bloomberg LP named Andrew Lack as chief executive officer of its multimedia group, responsible for the company’s television, interactive and radio operations. Â

The multimedia operations were split off from Bloomberg’s news wire operations earlier this year.

Lack was most recently chairman of Sony BMG Music Entertainment and previously served as CEO of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, where he oversaw all operations of the global recorded music and video company.  Prior to that, he served as chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Music Entertainment.

Previously, Lack served for two years as president and chief operating officer for NBC.  During his tenure with NBC he oversaw Entertainment, News, including MSNBC and CNBC, NBC Stations, Sales, and Broadcast & Network Operations.Â

From 1993 to 2001, Lack was president of NBC News, where he transformed the News group into the most-watched news organization.  During Lack’s tenure, “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,� “Meet the Press� and “The Today Show� each became No. 1 in its time period.

Before joining NBC, Lack spent much of his television career at CBS News, where he created and served as the executive producer of the groundbreaking newsmagazine “West 57th.�  He served as producer for “60 Minutes� and was senior executive producer of the landmark CBS Reports for nearly a decade.

 “Andy Lack is a news legend,� said Bloomberg president Dan Doctoroff in making the announcement. “His extraordinary accomplishments at NBC and CBS News and his innovative work in the entertainment industry at Sony Corp. qualify him uniquely to lead Bloomberg’s multimedia businesses.�

Lack will work closely with Bloomberg News founder and editor-in-chief Matthew Winkler and chief content officer Norman Pearlstine. He will report to Doctoroff, as do Winkler and Pearlstine.

“This incredibly powerful team will lead our global journalistic efforts,” Doctoroff said in the statement. “Bloomberg –- unburdened by outdated business models –- has the opportunity to redefine the 21st century news organization, fully integrating our wire service, television, online, radio and mobile operations.” Â

Bloomberg chairman Peter Grauer in a statement said that Lack’s appointment reflects the Company’s commitment to provide “the best, most timely coverage wherever and whenever the customer wants it.  These turbulent times create huge demand for our products,” Grauer said.  “While other news organizations are shrinking, we continue to expand, improving our existing products while investing in new ones.”