Photo: People
On Wednesday morning, CNN President Jeff Zucker suddenly stepped down from his position in the network after nine years of service. He said that he had fallen short by not admitting to a romantic relationship with a fellow senior executive at its inception.
In a note to a CNN staff member, Zucker wrote, “I was wrong.” He stated that he revealed his relationship with the media giant’s chief marketing officer when questioned during an interrogation amid Chris Cuomo’s scandal.
Numerous CNN employees expressed their surprise at Zucker’s revelation. Some were shocked as to the identity of the executive.
Marketing head Allison Gollust recounted their relationship as a close professional and personal rapport built over more than two decades and said in an interview that it had deepened into a romantic bond throughout the pandemic. She also added that she will remain in service at the channel.
Zucker and Gollust are both divorced. Their close connection has influenced tabloid reports, with both closely teaming up earlier during Zucker’s time at NBC.
Katie Couric, former host of the “Today Show,” said she sensed something romantic going on between Zucker and Gollust years ago. Couric is a close friend of Zucker as he ascended through the NBC ranks.
Zucker started serving CNN in 2013 and his departure later this year had been anticipated. However, he would remain through AT&T’s sale of parent Warner Media to Discovery, he said. After an evaluation from federal regulators, it is likely to happen this spring.
“I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently,” he said to CNN staffers. “But it was an amazing run. And I loved every minute.”
Gollust had been among those prominent internal candidates sought to replace Zucker.
Zucker’s descent is considered as the recent aftermath of the sexual harassment scandals that caused the downfall of former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, elder brother to Chris Cuomo, a former CNN anchor.
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