AOL appoints Falco CEO as it moves to ad-focused model

Parsons said: "Jeff Bewkes and I are very pleased that a top operating executive of Randy Falco's expertise and experience will be leading AOL into its next stage of development.
 
"A key to Time Warner's digital future, AOL is showing early success in transitioning to an advertising-focused business model, and Randy is a first-rate choice to ensure AOL realises its promise."

At NBC, Falco was responsible for the group's commercial and operational functions, including network and cable sales, affiliate relations, cable distribution, business development and worldwide television distribution.

Prior to that, Falco served as president of the NBC Universal Television Network Group and group president of the NBC Television Network.

Before joining NBC, he spent more than a decade involved with the Olympics. He was CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and held the same role at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
 
Falco said: "My challenge will be to execute on the strategy that I believe will make AOL once again the leader of the online world. I see a tremendous opportunity for meaningful growth at AOL and will work hard with the fine people at AOL to make sure the company lives up to its full potential."

Lat month, the UK operations of AOL were acquired by Carphone Warehouse, which bought the online firm in a £370m deal that elevated Carphone Warehouse to the third-largest supplier of broadband in the UK, behind BT and NTL Telewest.

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