CNN's Jeff Zucker Resigns For not Disclosing Relationship with Colleague

 

CNN President Jeff Zucker attends a keynote event at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 26, 2018

CNN President Jeff Zucker, whom industry insiders speculated could play a bigger position while the community turns into a part of Discovery (DISCA.O), resigned on Wednesday, telling personnel he failed to reveal a consensual relationship with a colleague.

Zucker, fifty six, stated in a memo that his dating came to mild in the course of the network’s research into the conduct of Chris Cuomo, a primetime CNN anchor who become fired in December for supporting his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was accused of sexual misconduct.

Andrew Cuomo has stated his accusers had misinterpreted his phrases, gestures and demeanor.

“I become required to reveal it while it commenced however I failed to,” Zucker, who also stepped down from his position as chairman of WarnerMedia’s information and sports activities division, wrote within the memo.

Zucker, through a spokesperson, declined an interview request. He is divorced, his consultant said.

He did no longer name his colleague in the memo, however the relationship changed into with Allison Gollust, the leader advertising and marketing officer for the network, CNN anchor Brian Stelter said throughout a published Wednesday, including she changed into remaining at CNN.

“Jeff and I have been near buddies and expert partners for over twenty years,” Stelter quoted Gollust as saying in a separate memo of her own issued on Wednesday. “Recently, our courting changed at some stage in COVID. I regret that we did not reveal it on the proper time. I’m especially proud of my time at CNN and stay up for persevering with the amazing work we do everyday.”

Gollust did now not right now respond to a request for comment.

CNN President Jeff Zucker speaks at the 2017 Business Insider Ignition: Future of Media conference in New York, U.S., November 30, 2017.  REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

CNN President Jeff Zucker attends a keynote occasion on the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 26, 2018. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

CNN President Jeff Zucker attends a keynote occasion on the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 26, 2018. REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File Photo

CNN is part of AT&T-owned (T.N) WarnerMedia, which is being spun off in a $43 billion transaction with Discovery.

Although Zucker had indicated he deliberate to retire from CNN, he was anticipated to play a prominent function within the new Warner Bros Discovery. Zucker and Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav, who will lead Warner Bros Discovery, are former colleagues and buddies.

WarnerMedia is making plans to launch a brand new subscription streaming video news carrier, CNN+, in the first area of 2022. Zaslav has publicly committed to CNN after the deal closes and stated that the mixed entity will “lean into information.”

Discovery declined to comment on Zucker’s resignation.

In a memo to body of workers, WarnerMedia Chief Executive Jason Kilar wrote he widely wide-spread Zucker’s resignation and would announce an intervening time management plan quickly.

“People are very greatly surprised,” said a former CNN staffer Wednesday. “Jeff is like the glue for quite a few humans all through the pandemic.”

Zucker, who joined CNN in 2013, has a storied reputation inside the TV commercial enterprise marked by means of early achievement. He became the government manufacturer of NBC’s “Today” display in his 20s, then have become the president of NBC Entertainment.

Born and raised in Miami, Zucker has 4 kids and resides in New York City, consistent with a profile on CNN’s website.