Chris Berend, a digital media executive who helped build NBC News’ journalism and new distribution platforms such as Today, is leaving the company after seven years.
In a memo sent to staff Thursday, Berend said, “I will be leaving NBCUniversal soon to pursue my passions outside of news. I will provide more details about where I am headed in the coming weeks.” He will remain in his role until July 3, when Kiri Sarantakos, executive vice president of technology at NBC News Group, will assume his role on an interim basis.
During his tenure, Berend has helped expand NBC News across streaming, subscription, commerce and emerging digital platforms, as well as helping shape the company’s approach to generative AI. NBC News has moved to live streaming on the NBC News Now service. It launched a “Today” platform that curate clips from the morning news series and other programs. And announced a streaming outlet exclusively for “Dateline.”
“We are connected in more ways than ever to more people with trusted expertise than ever before,” Berend said in the memo.
Prior to his role at NBC, Mr. Behrend oversaw digital video and led content strategy for CNN platforms including mobile, web and connected TV. He joined the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news organization in 2013 and was heavily involved in the launch of documentary broadcaster Great Big Stories in 2015. The site was promoted as a place for young, digitally native news consumers to get video stories. Over time, Great Big Story also produced a television series that aired on CNN, the Weather Channel, and other stations. Berend has also appeared on Bloomberg Media and ESPN, and worked as a journalist at Esquire.
Mr. Sarantakos joined NBCUniversal in July 2017 and held senior technology leadership roles within the group. Prior to joining NBCU, the executive served as vice president of engineering at Electric Objects, a New York hardware startup.
