CNN is reportedly eyeing Allison Gollust, executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for CNN Worldwide, to replace network president Jeff Zucker at the end of the year, according to NBC’s Dylan Byers.
Zucker, who took over CNN in 2013, told network employees earlier in February that 2021 will likely be his last year, according to The New York Times. Zucker confirmed he would remain at CNN through his contract, and since then there has been speculation about who he will be replaced with. (RELATED: CNN President Jeff Zucker Reportedly Considering Leaving The Network)
“Allison Gollust, CNN EVP & CMO, is seen by CNN leadership as top internal candidate to succeed Jeff Zucker (as in, most qualified),” NBC News’ senior media reporter Dylan Byers tweeted Tuesday. “Not clear she’d take it if offered, or if it will be offered, but there it is.”
CNN declined to comment on the report.
#Scoop re CNN succesion: Allison Gollust, CNN EVP & CMO, is seen by CNN leadership as top internal candidate to succeed Jeff Zucker (as in, most qualified). Not clear she’d take it if offered, or if it will be offered, but there it is.
+ earlier story: https://t.co/om6bN3BjOO
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) February 16, 2021
Gollust has been with CNN since 2013 and joined the company after briefly working for Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a communications director, according to a past report from the NYT. Prior to her stint with Cuomo, she spent over 15 years at NBC News and worked with Zucker during her time there, too.
The options for Zucker’s replacement are thin, according to a previous article published by NBC News, as there are not many people “capable of running a major television news organization.”