Who will replace Jeff Zucker as CNN head? GF Allison Gollust was once named top candidate
CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker announced his decision to resign from the network, after an internal probe on Chris Cuomo unveiled his romantic affair with CNN's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allison Gollust. In a memo submitted to the team, 56-year-old Zucker admitted that he was "wrong" in not disclosing his relationship to the management, as workplace protocols mandate. "I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today," he noted.
Zucker's resignation has met with criticism and backlash from all quarters, as senior media executives are blasting him for hiding his affair. Meanwhile, Zucker's sudden decision to resign has created a crisis at CNN over who will succeed him. Amid online speculations and rumors, older reports from 2021 have resurfaced — where Allison Gollust was named a top contender for Zucker's position as the President of CNN Worldwide.
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Addressing their relationship, Gollust said in a statement, "Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during Covid. I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time."
Allison Gollust and Jeff Zucker have worked together for more than 20 years. Prior to joining CNN, both of them had worked with NBC. Moreover, Gollust also had a brief stint as the communications director for disgraced New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a fact that has startled many. Presently, she serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at CNN Worldwide. Gollust heads the brand, marketing, and public relations teams for CNN in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
In February 2021, a report by NBC News claimed that Allison Gollust is the leading internal candidate to take over Jeff Zucker. At that time, rumors were floating that Jeff Zucker would be stepping down as the President at the end of the year, paving way for Gollust. However, it was also mentioned in the report CNN and their parent company AT&T were also considering external candidates to fill the vacancy in case of Zucker's resignation.
However, in the present context, it is highly unlikely that Gollust would be succeeding Zucker. She is already facing backlash for allegedly currying favor from Zucker throughout her professional career due to their romantic relationship. In fact, journalist Megyn Kelly vehemently accused Zucker of the same as she tweeted, "To those confused re: why J. Zucker’s affair w/an employee is a big deal: let’s imagine that it actually began earlier than they say. That he was sleeping w/her while promoting her up the ranks over other qualified folks. That he made her an EVP w/o disclosing any of it. Problem?"
To those confused re: why J. Zucker’s affair w/an employee is a big deal: let’s imagine that it actually began earlier than they say. That he was sleeping w/her while promoting her up the ranks over other qualified folks. That he made her an EVP w/o disclosing any of it. Problem?
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 2, 2022
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