NBC chimes (Jan 1953-Dec 1954)

Major Executive Changes Announced Margraf to Key Program Post: Ervin Now VP and General Attorney; Film Division Established as Third Operating Unit in NBC Important changes in the top-level structure of the company were announced early this month by Frank White, president of NBC. Gustav B. Margraf. formerly NBC vice-president and general attorney, was appointed to the newly-created position of vicepresident in charge of Talent and Program Administration in the Program Department. Thomas E. Ervin. who was assistant general attorney, was promoted to General Attorney of NBC and elected a vice-president. The NBC Film Division, under Robert W. Sarnoff. was established as a third principal operating division of the company. The other two operating divisions are the Networks Division and the Owned and Operated Stations Division. Lnder the new alignment. Mr. Sarnoff reports directly to the president of the companv. Previously, he had reported to John K. Herbert, vice-president in charge of the Networks Division. In explaining the creation of Mr. Margrafs new post. Mr. White stated: "We are strengthening the Program G. B. Margraf. vice-president in charge of Talent and Program Administration Department organization by consolidating the important functions of talent negotiation and the business administration of programming under an able executive who has already had broad experience in these fields. As a result. Mr. Barry, as head of the Program Department, and his other principal program executives. Thomas McAvity. National Program director, and Davidson Taylor, director of Public Affairs, can concentrate on the basic tasks of program planning and development, so that their creative talents can be used to the best advantage. We are confident that, as a result, the Program Department not only will gain in operating efficiency but will be better able to fulfill its primary mission of providing the finest radio and television programs. "Tt is particularly gratifying to know that as our needs enlarge, we have within our own organization skilled and experienced executives who are able to advance to new and broader responsibilities, creating continuing opportunities for promotion within the company." White added. Charles C. Barry, vice-president in charge of NBC's Program Department, stated that in his new position Mr. Margraf will be in charge of all talent and package program negotiations for the radio and television networks, with full responsibility for conducting and supervising such negotiations. In addition Mr. Margraf will supervise the conduct of all business and administrative functions within the Program Department, and will serve as Mr. Barry's deputy in the latter's absence. As part of the consolidation of the negotiating and administrative functions within the Program Department. Mr. Barry added that Mr. Margraf will supervise the work of the NBC Talent Office, which is managed by Hal Kemp. Also reporting to Mr. Margraf will be the new position of director of Program Administration, to which Fred Shawn, presently director of Production Services and an NBC veteran of many years' service, has been appointed. Mr. Shawn will head up an organization consisting of Arch Robb. manager of Program Sen ices: Ludwig Simmel. manager of Co-op Programs: Leslie ^ aughan. business manager for Public Affairs: Grace Sniffin. office manager for Radio Programming: and the business offices in the various program units. His responsibility will include control of programming and departmental expense, package program pricing and general departmental administration. Mr. Shawn's former duties as director of Production Senices have been re-assigned within the Production Department, it was announced by Frederic W. Wile. Jr.. vicepresident in charge, with Staging Services and Special Effects, under James Glenn, now reporting to Anthony Hennig. director of Plant Operations: and Ernest Theiss. manager of Production Operations, and Hugh Graham. Chief Production Coordinator, reporting to J. Robert Mvers. director of Production Controls. In the Program Department. Thomas McAvity. National Program director, and Davidson Taylor, director of Public Affairs, continue to report to Mr. Robert W. Sarnoff. vice-president in charge of Film Division 4 NBC Chimes