Chris Berend

Chris Berend is the Chief Digital Officer of the NBCUniversal News Group. In this role, he oversees all product, technology and digital operations across the NBCUniversal News Group and its accompanying brands. He reports to NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde. 

During Berend’s time leading digital across the NBCUniversal News Group, it has become the #1 digital news organization in the U.S with significant consumer businesses in publishing, commerce, subscription, audio and streaming. NBC News NOW is the fastest growing streaming news network in the U.S, while the NBCU News Group is a top five podcast publisher in the U.S. Additionally, the NBCU News Group is the leading news organization across emerging platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube. 

Berend joined NBCUniversal in July 2019 from CNN, where he served as SVP of Global Video, leading video content, distribution, operations, custom production and managing a team of more than 150 producers and programmers around the world. Under his leadership, CNN Digital became the world’s top source of news video four years running. With an investment from CNN, Berend also co-founded Great Big Story, a global media company dedicated to cinematic storytelling, building the award-winning brand from inception to an audience of 10-plus million and profitability in just three years. 

Before joining CNN, Berend held digital leadership positions at Bloomberg and ESPN. He began his career as an editor for Esquire magazine. 

Berend lives in South Orange, NJ with his wife and two children, and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.