Comcast’s Versant has tapped NBCUniversal execs Susie Kricena and Michael Sluchan as new programming executives for the new company housing Comcast’s cable network portfolio.
Kricena, who most recently served as SVP of content acquisitions at NBCUniversal TV and streaming, has been named SVP of content acquisitions for Versant, where she will spearhead the portfolio’s strategy, evaluation and program licensing.
Sluchan will become Versant’s SVP of scripted content for entertainment, moving over from his role as EVP of scripted series, movies, daytime, kids and co-productions and entertainment content. In his new role, he will lead Versant’s scripted arm, pulling from his knowledge of current series as well as new series in development.
Cori Abraham, Jenny Depper, Janice Ferrell and Rebecca Vazquez-Rhodes have also joined Versant, entertainment president Val Boreland wrote in a Thursday memo.
Abraham will serve as interim department lead and SVP of unscripted content for entertainment across E!, Syfy, USA Network and Oxygen True Crime, drawing from her time as SVP of unscripted development, crime and documentary for NBCUniversal.
Jenny Depper has been appointed as SVP of digital for entertainment, where she will expand her oversight to lead the digital and social strategies for E!, USA Network, Oxygen True Crime and Syfy’s digital properties.
Likewise, Janice Ferrell, who most recently served as SVP of production and operations for NBCUniversal’s entertainment group, will now serve as SVP of production and operations for entertainment at Versant.
Rebecca Vazquez-Rhodes will also shift over from her role as SVP of program scheduling and strategy to become Versant’s SVP of programming strategy for entertainment.
“These leaders will work in close partnership with me and our Entertainment teams to strengthen our dynamic lineup of bold original series, fan favorites and engaging content across platforms,” Boreland wrote. “These appointments reflect the depth of talent and experience driving our business forward.”
