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Bob Wright

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For other people named Bob Wright, seeBob Wright (disambiguation).

Bob Wright
Wright in 2015
Born(1943-04-23)April 23, 1943(age 81)
Hempstead, New York,U.S.
Alma materCollege of the Holy Cross(BA)
University of Virginia(LLB)
Occupations
  • Lawyer
  • businessman
  • author
Known for
Board member ofPolo Ralph Lauren[1]
AMC Networks[2]
New York-Presbyterian Hospital(life trustee)[3]
Palm Beach Civic Association(Chairman and CEO)[4]
Spouses
Suzanne Wright
​
​
(m.1967; died 2016)​
Susan Keenan Wright
​
(m.2017)​
Children3[5]

Robert Charles Wright(born April 23, 1943) is an American lawyer, businessman,lobbyist,and author. He is a formerNBCexecutive, having served aspresidentand CEO from 1986 to 2001, and chairman and CEO from 2001[6]until he retired in 2007.[7]He has been credited with overseeing the broadcast network's expansion into a media conglomerate and leading the company to record earnings in the 1990s.[8]Prior to NBC, he held several posts atGeneral Electricin the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He served as President and CEO of GE Capital, GE Financial Services 1983 to 1986 and served as GE's vice chairman until he retired from that role in 2008.[9]

In 2005, Wright and his wife, Suzanne Wright, foundedAutism Speaks.[10]In 2016, after his wife's death frompancreatic cancer,Wright established the Suzanne Wright Foundation, which funds research for pancreatic cancer.[11]Through the Suzanne Wright Foundation, he led the initiative to establish a Health Advanced Research Projects Agency, or HARPA, a government research agency modeled after theU.S. Department of Defense'sDARPA.[12]On March 15, 2022, Public Law 117-103 was enacted authorizing the establishment ofARPA-Hwithin the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.[13]

Early life and education

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Wright was born on April 23, 1943, inHempstead, New York,onLong Island,[5]the only child of Catherine Drum Wright and Gerald Franklin Wright.[14]After graduating fromChaminade High SchoolinMineola, New York,Wright enrolled at theCollege of the Holy CrossinWorcester, Massachusetts.[5]He originally studiedpre-med,but later changed his studies to major inpsychologyand minor in history.[5]He graduated with aBachelor of Artsdegree in 1965.[5]Wright earned anLL.B.from theUniversity of Virginia School of Lawin 1968.[15]

Career

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Early career

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Wright began his career withGeneral Electricas astaff lawyerin 1969.[16]The following year, he left GE to take a judicial clerkship for a federal judge in New Jersey.[9][17]Wright joined GE again in 1973 as a lawyer for the company's plastics unit, where he later took on several management positions.[9]GE made a deal to acquire radio, broadcast TV and cable properties[18][19]ofAtlanta,Georgia-basedCox Communicationsin 1979[20]and appointed Wright as Cox Cable president[17]and executive vice president of Cox Broadcasting.[21]The deal did not come to fruition, however Wright remained with Cox Cable as president until 1983.[17][21]Under Wright's leadership, Cox Cable launched franchises across the U.S., including franchises inOmaha, Nebraska,Tucson, Arizona,New Orleans,Louisiana,Vancouver, Washington,suburbs near Chicago, Illinois, andProvidence, Rhode Island,and a portion ofLong Island, New York.[22]Wright was a contemporary ofTed Turner(Turner Broadcasting Systems),John Malone(TCI),Chuck Dolan(Cablevision Systems) andRalph J. Roberts(Comcast) during the early days of cable television.[23]Wright left Cox to join GE once again in 1983, when GE chairman and CEOJack Welchhired him to lead the company's housewares and audio units.[17]He was promoted to president of GE Financial Services[24][21]from 1984 to 1986.[9]

NBC and NBC Universal

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GE named Wright the president and CEO of theNational Broadcasting Companywhen the company acquired thebroadcast networkin 1986.[6][25]He succeededGrant Tinkerin the role.[17]He became chairman and CEO of NBC in 2001.[6]He was named chairman and CEO ofNBC Universalin 2004.[6]

Upon succeeding Tinker, Wright's main mission became finding new areas of business in addition to running a television network,[26]and transformed the network into a media conglomerate.[27]NBC launchedCNBCin 1989 andMSNBCin 1996.[28]Both are examples of the strategic partnerships NBC created under Wright to improve distribution and content.[29]CNBC included a partnership withDow Jonesallowing delivery of local business and financial news in Europe and Asia; and MSNBC was a venture withMicrosoftthat launched a new 24-hour news network and accompanying news website to combine the two mediums.[24][30][31]

Wright is credited with leading NBC during a time when the company became a powerful media leader, driving the company to record earnings in the 1990s.[8]The network reported $5 billion in revenues and nearly more $1 billion in operating profits in 1996.[8]Also under Wright, NBC acquiredUniversal Pictures,Telemundo[28]and Bravo.[32]

In the early- and mid-90s, Wright and NBC led efforts to persuade lawmakers and regulators to relax rules preventing networks from becoming multichannel program providers,[33]obtaining certain financial interests and syndication.[34]

General Electric named Wright as vice chairman of NBC's then-parent company in 2000.[16]

Under Wright, NBC completed its acquisition of Vivendi Universal Entertainment in 2004.[35]Led by Wright, the newly formed NBCUniversal controlled seven cable networks, includingUSA NetworkandSci-Fi Channel); 29 TV stations; film and TV studios; and theme parks.[35]

During his career with NBC, Wright was active in opposing digital piracy, and was a founding member of the Global Leadership Group for the Business Alliance to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy. In that role, Wright spoke at the Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy inGeneva, Switzerland,pushing for lawmakers and businesses to curb risingintellectual property theftin thedigital age,[36]and delivered a speech titled "Technology and the Rule of Law in the Digital Age" at the Media Institute in 2004.[37]He also penned anop-edinThe Wall Street Journaltitled "Stop IP theft".[38]Wright's speech at the Media Institute was published in the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy.[39]His 2002 speech for the Legatus Tri-State Chapter on issues of faith and business was reprinted in50 High-Impact Speeches and Remarks.[40]

Wright retired from NBC in 2007.[7]When Wright first took the helm at the network, it saw operating profits of $400 million.[17]In 2007, when he retired, NBC generated $3.1 billion in profit on $15.4 billion in revenue.[41]He remained vice chairman of GE until his retirement from that role in 2008.[42]

Autism Speaks

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See also:Autism Speaks

One of Wright's grandchildren, Christian, was diagnosed withautism,prompting him and his wife, Suzanne, to found an advocacy group.[10]The couple launchedAutism Speaksin 2005, and Wright became its chairman.[10]The Wrights' organization merged with Autism Coalition for Research and Education in 2005, National Alliance for Autism Research in 2006 and Cure Autism Now in 2007.[43][44]In its first 9 years, Autism Speaks invested a half-billion dollars, focusing on science and research.[10]The organization helped persuade the U.S. government to invest billions in autism research;[7]as of 2014, Congress had dedicated more than $3 billion for autism research and monitoring.[10]During Wright's tenure, the organization teamed up with Google in 2014 on the MSSNG project to sequence a database of autismgenomes.[45][46]Wright resigned as chairman of Autism Speaks in May 2015; as of February 2016, he remained on the board as a co-founder of the organization and on its executive committee.[47][48]His book,The Wright Stuff: from NBC to Autism Speaks,written with Diane Mermigas, was published March 29, 2016.

The Suzanne Wright Foundation

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Bob Wright is Founder and Chairman of the Suzanne Wright Foundation, established in honor of his late wife, Suzanne, who died from pancreatic cancer on July 29, 2016.[49]The Suzanne Wright Foundation launched CodePurple, a national awareness and advocacy campaign to fight pancreatic cancer.[50]Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. With no screening tools,[51]the mortality rate is 92%and has seen virtually no improvement in more than 40 years.[52]Through advocacy and awareness, the foundation's goal was to accelerate discovery of detection tools, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for pancreatic cancer.

The Suzanne Wright Foundation proposed a national health policy initiative to establish HARPA, the Health Advanced Research Projects Agency. HARPA would exist with HHS and leverage federal research assets and private sector tools to drive medical breakthroughs for diseases, like pancreatic cancer, that have not benefited from the current system. HARPA is modeled after theDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA),the gold-standard for innovation and accountability. DARPA, an agency within the Department of Defense, developed The Internet, Voice Recognition Technology, GPS navigation, Night vision, Robotic Prostheses, Stealth Technology. DARPA's success proves there is an effective government model for translating science to product. HARPA's identical operating principles, built on urgency, leadership, high-impact investments and accountability, would advance scientific research "from bench to bedside." HARPA would work within an innovation ecosystem that includes: the commercial market; biotech and healthcare companies; venture capital and philanthropy; academic institutions; and other government and regulatory agencies.[53]

On May 22, 2018, The Suzanne Wright Foundation premiered their film The Patients Are Waiting: How HARPA Will Change Lives, in New York City. The film screening was followed by a panel hosted byMaria Bartiromo,Anchor and Global Markets Editor, FOX Business Network – FOX News Channel. Panelists included Bob Wright, Dr. Herbert Pardes, Executive Vice Chairman of NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital; Former Director NIMH, Dr. Geoffrey Ling, Col. (Ret.) Prof. of Neurology, Johns Hopkins; Founder & Former Director,DARPA BTO,Jessica Morris, Co-founder of OurBrainBank, and Karen Reeves, President & CMO, AZTherapies.

On March 15, 2022, Public Law 117-103 was enacted authorizing the establishment of ARPA-H within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.[13]

Lee Equity Partners

[edit]

Lee Equity Partners,aprivate equity firmrun by financierThomas H. Lee,announced in January 2008 that Wright would join the company as a senior advisor.[28]Due to Wright's background with GE Financial Services and NBC, Wright was brought on to advise in media and financial sector deals.[28][54]

Boards and affiliations

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Wright has served on numerous boards, councils and committees. As of February 2016, he sits on the board of directors forPolo Ralph Lauren;[1]Autism Speaks,an autism advocacy group he co-founded with his wife Suzanne;[47]AMC Networks;[2]Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation;[55]and Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians & Jews.[56]He is chairman and CEO of Palm Beach Civic Association.[4]He is a life trustee of theNew York-Presbyterian Hospital.[3]

Honors and awards

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Wright has accepted various awards and honors during his career in media. He was inducted into theBroadcasting & Cable Hall of Famein 1996,[57]the Cable Center's Cable Hall of Fame in 2007[58]andAAF's Advertising Hall of Famein 2009.[59]He received the "Gold Medal Award" from International Radio & Television Society Foundation in 1997,[60]the "Steven J. Ross Humanitarian of the Year Award" ofUJA-Federation of New Yorkin 1998,[61][62]"Public Service Award" from theAd Councilin 2002,[63]Broadcasters' Foundation's "Golden Mike Award" in 2003,[64]Media Institute's 2004 "Freedom of Speech Award",[65]"Humanitarian Award" from theSimon Wiesenthal Centerin 2005,[24]"Distinguished Leadership in Business Award" fromColumbia Business Schoolin 2005,[66]and the "Visionary Award" from theMuseum of Television & Radioin 2006.[67]He also was awarded the Minorities in Broadcasting Training Program's "Striving for Excellence Award".[68] Wright and his wife Suzanne have been honored for their work with Autism Speaks. They were presented with the first-ever "Double Helix Medal"for Corporate Leadership fromCold Spring Harbor Laboratory,[69]theNew York University"Child Advocacy Award", the Castle Connolly "National Health Leadership Award" and theAmerican Ireland Fund"Humanitarian Award".[70]They received the "Dean's Medal" from theJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,[71]the "President's Medal for Excellence" atBoston College's Wall Street Council Tribute Dinner[69]and the "Visionary Award" at the 20th AnnualNantucket Film Festival.[72]The Wrights were named amongTime's100 most influential people in the world in 2008.[73]

Bibliography

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  • Wright, Bob; Mermigas, Diane (2016).The Wright Stuff: From NBC to Autism Speaks.RosettaBooks.ISBN978-0-7953-4692-7.

Personal life

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Wright was married to his wife Suzanne from 1967 until her death frompancreatic cancerin 2016.[74][75]He has three children, Katie, Chris, and Maggie[8]and six grandchildren: Christian, Mattias, Morgan, Maisie, Alex, and Sloan.[76]He married his second wife, Susan Goldwater Keenan, on Sept. 30, 2017.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"Ralph Lauren Corp. (RL)".Reuters.RetrievedFebruary 8,2016.
  2. ^ab"AMC Networks Inc. (AMCX)".Reuters.RetrievedFebruary 8,2016.
  3. ^ab"Life Trustees at New York-Presbyterian Hospital".New York-Presbyterian Hospital.RetrievedFebruary 12,2016.
  4. ^ab"Directors and members".Palm Beach Civic Association.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  5. ^abcdeMichael Reardon (2005)."The Profile: Robert C. Wright '65".Holy Cross Magazine.College of the Holy Cross.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 8,2016.
  6. ^abcdEnsher, Ellen A.; Murphy, Susan E. (2011).Power Mentoring: How Successful Mentors and Proteges Get the Most of Their Relationships.John Wiley & Sons.p. 71.ISBN978-1-118-04687-6.
  7. ^abcLowry, Brian (April 25, 2013)."Former NBC topper Bob Wright stayed ahead of the curve on biz changes".Variety.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  8. ^abcdGunther, Marc (February 3, 1997)."How GE made NBC No. 1".Fortune.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  9. ^abcd"Executive Profile: Robert C. Wright".Bloomberg.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  10. ^abcdeMcKenna, Josephine (November 21, 2014)."Pope Francis tackles autism as families seek hope and support".Deseret News.RetrievedFebruary 29,2016.
  11. ^"Grieving Husband Launches Foundation to Fight Pancreatic Cancer in Honor of His Late Wife".People.November 16, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
  12. ^"About".HARPA.RetrievedJuly 5,2018.
  13. ^ab"ARPA-H".National Institutes of Health (NIH).RetrievedMay 9,2023.
  14. ^Wright, Bob; Mermigas, Diane (2016).The Wright Stuff: From NBC to Autism Speaks.RosettaBooks. p. 3.ISBN978-0-7953-4692-7.
  15. ^Wright, Bob (2003),"No profession is more honorable than the law"(PDF),UVALawyer,p. 69, archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 5, 2016,retrievedFebruary 8,2016
  16. ^ab"GE names NBC president vice chairman".Bloomberg News.July 29, 2000.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  17. ^abcdefTaylor III, Alex (March 16, 1987)."GE's hard driver at NBC".Fortune.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  18. ^Egan, Jack (October 6, 1978)."GE and Cox Broadcasting plan merger".The Washington Post.RetrievedMarch 14,2016.
  19. ^Jones, William H. (February 27, 1979)."Mutual agrees to buy N.Y. radio station".The Washington Post.RetrievedMarch 14,2016.
  20. ^Fabrikant, Geraldine (December 13, 1992)."For NBC, hard times and miscues".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 14,2016.
  21. ^abcSharbutt, Jay (August 22, 1986)."Wright seen as next NBC chief".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  22. ^"Cox Cable's Wright: Building the future"(PDF).Broadcasting Now.November 1, 1982. p. 87.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  23. ^"The Hauser Oral and Video History Project: Bob Wright".Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center.May 15, 2007.RetrievedJune 12,2024.
  24. ^abc"Biography: Bob Wright".PBS.RetrievedFebruary 8,2016.
  25. ^Siklos, Richard; Holson, Laura M. (August 8, 2005)."NBC Universal aims to be prettiest feather in G.E.'s cap".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  26. ^Boyer, Peter J. (June 6, 1988)."NBC Tries a Quieter Way of Breaking into Cable TV".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  27. ^"Ex-NBC head Wright joins Lee Equity".Los Angeles Times.February 1, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  28. ^abcd"Ex-NBC chair to join Lee Equity Partners".The New York Times.January 31, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  29. ^Mermigas, Diane (December 4, 2000)."NBC continues to thrive in GE's world".Electronic Media.p. 38.
  30. ^Sherman, Alex; Bass, Dina (July 16, 2012)."MSNBC website renamed NBCNews.com after Microsoft split".Bloomberg News.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  31. ^Jones, Tim (June 9, 1996)."NBC prepares for '90s, and beyond".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  32. ^Hofmeister, Sallie (November 5, 2002)."NBC to add new content to Bravo".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  33. ^Wharton, Dennis (March 29, 1994)."Wright set to argue for easing regs".Variety.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  34. ^Flint, Joe (January 17, 1994)."Facing the facts of life in a post fin-syn world".Broadcasting & Cable.Archived fromthe originalon May 3, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  35. ^abCarter, Bill (May 13, 2004)."Deal compete, NBC is planning to cross-market".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  36. ^Cendrowicz, Leo (January 31, 2007)."NBC's Wright" Put anti-piracy at top of agenda ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  37. ^"Media Institute Speeches".Media Institute. Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
  38. ^Wright, Bob (November 8, 2005)."Stop IP theft".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  39. ^Wright, Bob (2005)."Technology and the Role of Law in the Digital Age".Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy.19(2): 705–710.RetrievedJanuary 11,2016.
  40. ^Kador, John (2004).50 High-Impact Speeches and Remarks.New York: McGraw-Hill. pp.121–128.ISBN0-07-142194-7.
  41. ^"Chief executive says GE won't sell NBC Universal".Associated Press.March 12, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  42. ^"Notice of 2008 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statements"(PDF).General Electric.2008. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 25, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  43. ^"Cable Hall of Fame Honoree 2007 | Robert C. Wright".Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center.2007.Archivedfrom the original on April 26, 2016.RetrievedJune 12,2024.
  44. ^"Autism Speaks".philanthropynewsdigest.org.Foundation Center.April 15, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 29,2016.
  45. ^Lee, Hailey (November 6, 2014)."Ex-NBC chief Bob Wright paves way for autism research".CNBC.RetrievedFebruary 8,2016.
  46. ^"'MSSNG' project, partnership between Autism Speaks and Google for autism research, has official launch ".ABC News.December 9, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 8,2016.
  47. ^abMichelle Diament (May 5, 2015)."Autism Speaks sees leadership change".Disability Scoop.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  48. ^"Board members".Autism Speaks.RetrievedFebruary 29,2016.
  49. ^Foundation, The Suzanne Wright."Bob Wright Launches The Suzanne Wright Foundation to Fight Pancreatic Cancer"(Press release). PR Newswire.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
  50. ^Stanton, John."Bob Wright takes on pancreatic cancer after losing wife Suzanne".The Inquirer and Mirror.Archived fromthe originalon February 11, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
  51. ^"Can Pancreatic Cancer Be Found Early?".cancer.org.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
  52. ^"American Cancer Society | Cancer Facts & Statistics".American Cancer Society | Cancer Facts & Statistics.RetrievedFebruary 8,2017.
  53. ^"About".HARPA.RetrievedJuly 5,2018.
  54. ^Kouwe, Zachery (February 1, 2008)."Bob Wright to advise on media for buyout big".New York Post.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  55. ^"Board of directors".Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  56. ^"Who we are".Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians & Jews.RetrievedFebruary 16,2016.
  57. ^"Benefits".The New York Times.November 3, 1996.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  58. ^"Broadband briefs".CED.April 12, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon May 8, 2016.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  59. ^"Advertising Hall of Fame Members".Advertising Hall of Fame.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
  60. ^"Billboard".Billboard.March 29, 1997.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
  61. ^"UJA-Federation of New York".UJA-Federation of New York.Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
  62. ^"Billboard".Billboard.October 4, 1997.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  63. ^"Adweek Calendar".Adweek.November 18, 2002.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
  64. ^"Mike Bloomberg to receive Golden Mike Award".Broadcasting & Cable.December 22, 2009.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  65. ^Kaplan, David (October 28, 2004)."NBC's Wright cites erosion of intellectual property rights".MediaPost Communications.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  66. ^"Distinguished Leadership in Business Award".Columbia Business School.Archived fromthe originalon April 6, 2016.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  67. ^Paul J. Gough (February 3, 2006)."NBC Chairman and 'SNL' Honored at Gala".Backstage.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  68. ^"SFE Awards".MIBTP.April 30, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
  69. ^ab"Cable Hall of Fame 2007 Honorees | Robert C. Wright".Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center.Archivedfrom the original on January 31, 2016.RetrievedJune 12,2024.
  70. ^"A Strong Voice: An interview with Suzanne and Bob Wright, co-founders, Autism Speaks".Leaders Magazine.April 2011.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  71. ^Gouveia, Georgette (October 31, 2014)."Autism Speaks and Suzanne and Bob Wright ensure the world listens".WAG Mag.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  72. ^Gerard, Jeremy (May 14, 2015)."Robert Towne will be feted at 20th Nantucket Film Fest".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  73. ^Brokaw, Tom (May 12, 2008)."The 2008 Time 100".Time.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
  74. ^O'Brien Mackey, Sarah (Spring 2006)."Inspired to make a difference: Bob Wright '65"(PDF).Holy Cross Magazine.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on April 2, 2016.RetrievedApril 4,2016.
  75. ^Kauffman, Ellie (July 30, 2016)."Suzanne Wright, autism advocate, dies at 69".CNN.RetrievedJuly 30,2016.
  76. ^"About the author".RosettaBooks.RetrievedApril 4,2016.
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