Univision Launches Corporate Business Development Group Led by Tonia O'Connor

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Univision Communications Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America, today announced the formation of the Corporate Business Development Group. The new initiative will build on Univision’s growth and generate revenue opportunities by forging new partnerships with companies that recognize the benefits of investing in the Hispanic marketplace.

“Since joining Univision several years ago, Tonia has proven her ability to develop and grow business in her current role as president of Distribution Sales and Marketing”

The group will be led by Tonia O’Connor as president, Content Distribution and Corporate Business Development. In addition to these new responsibilities, she will continue to drive Univision’s content distribution efforts.

“The creation of this group puts a laser focus on our efforts to expand our outreach to the many non-traditional outlets that now recognize the growth opportunity afforded to them by serving Hispanics,” said Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications, Inc. “Because of the trust we have built with our audience, we are uniquely positioned to help companies make this important connection.”

“Since joining Univision several years ago, Tonia has proven her ability to develop and grow business in her current role as president of Distribution Sales and Marketing,” said Falco. “She has not only grown her core business, but has also implemented strategies to deliver on new digital and broadband opportunities.”

In her expanded role, O’Connor will work with other key leaders across Univision to coordinate joint initiatives, develop new programs and provide a more effective alliance with potential outside partners in addition to continue leading the Company's content distribution efforts across platforms.

“As the gateway to Hispanic consumers in the U.S., we are fortunate to have so many opportunities to develop mutual growth solutions,” said O’Connor. “This is the perfect time to show the marketplace we are open for business and ready to forge new partnerships. I look forward to working with existing and new partners to deliver growth.”

O’Connor joined Univision in January 2008 as executive vice president of Distribution Sales and Marketing, leading in the creation and growth of the Company's distribution efforts and securing more than 140 retransmission consent deals. She's also expanded distribution on the digital front, securing deals with XBox and Kindle. Prior to Univision, she spent 13 years at Gemstar TV Guide, where she served as executive vice president of Distribution. Prior to that, she served as executive vice president, Affiliate Sales & Marketing and served as senior vice president of National Accounts for TV Guide Affiliate Sales.

O’Connor held various positions within Affiliate Sales and Marketing since joining Gemstar TV Guide in 1994 starting first in the cable and satellite publishing division. She began her career in the telecommunications industry, serving in sales and marketing positions at Bell South and Advanced Telecom Services. She has received multiple awards and recognitions including inclusion in The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment 2012 list as well as consistently appearing on CableFax’s Top 100 and the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Cable. In 2011, O’Connor received the Wonder Women award by Multichannel News and was honored with the 2011 Moves magazine Power Woman award. In 2005, she received the Liberty Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications. O’Connor holds degrees in broadcast journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and in international relations from the Maxwell School of Public Citizenship and Affairs.

About Univision Communications Inc.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. Its assets include Univision Network, one of the top five networks in the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country reaching 96% of U.S. Hispanic households; UniMás, a leading Spanish-language broadcast television network reaching 89% of U.S. Hispanic households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network, as well as Univision tlnovelas, a 24-hour cable network dedicated to novelas, Univision Deportes Network, a 24-hour cable network dedicated to sports, ForoTV, a 24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to news, and an additional suite of six cable offerings - De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson, Telehit and Distrito Comedia; UVideos, the first bilingual digital network serving Hispanic America; Univision Studios, which produces and co-produces reality shows, dramatic series and other programming formats for the Company’s platforms; Univision Television Group, which owns and/or operates 62 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Hispanic radio group which owns and/or operates 69 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Interactive, a network of products and offerings including Univision.com, which continues to be the No. 1 most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. online Hispanics, Univision Móvil, a longstanding industry-leader with unique, relevant mobile products and services, and Univision Partner Group, a specialized advertising and publisher network. Headquartered in New York City, UCI has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information, please visit Univision.net