CORY SHIELDS
Executive Vice President, Communications, NBC Universal

Cory Shields was appointed executive vice president, NBC Universal Communications, in June 2006. Shields is responsible for the company’s overall media and communications strategy and execution, overseeing the areas of media relations, executive communications, internal communications, corporate philanthropy, and community relations. He reports directly to Jeff Zucker, president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal.

Shields came to NBC Universal from SONY BMG Music Entertainment, where he had served since March 2005 as senior vice president, Corporate Communications, with responsibility for the company’s global corporate communications efforts. Before that, Shields was chief communications officer and executive vice president of J. Walter Thompson, where he developed the communications plan in support of the rebranding of the historic agency.

Shields joined J. Walter Thompson in July 2004, after seven years at NBC, most recently as senior vice president, Corporate Communications (2002-04). He first joined NBC in 1997 as director, NBC News Media Relations, and was subsequently promoted to vice president of MSNBC Communications, where he managed media relations and strategic communications for the cable news network. He joined NBC’s Corporate Communications department as vice president in 2000.

While at NBC, Shields played an integral role in the communications strategy surrounding NBC’s acquisition of Vivendi Universal Entertainment. Before that, he led communications efforts for important company initiatives such as the acquisitions of Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo and entertainment cable network Bravo. In 2004, Shields was a key member of the NBC/VUE integration team, helping plan and execute internal and external communications efforts relating to the merger of NBC and Universal.

From 1995 to 1997, Shields served as director of communications at MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. He was responsible for directing press, public, and station relations for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, as well as other MLP programming initiatives. From 1990 to 1995, Shields was director, Public Affairs, American Express Company, where he was responsible for public and media relations efforts for the company’s corporate card, purchasing card, and travel businesses. Before that, he served for four years as manager of Public Relations and Advertising for Figgie International, a diversified Fortune 500 holding company.

Shields began his professional career in broadcast journalism as a reporter, producer, and host of the nationally syndicated program PM Magazine. Later, he anchored and produced the local weekend news at WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia.

A Connecticut native, Shields graduated from Fairfield University with a B.A. in politics.

February 2007