CEOInterviews.AIFireside Chat with Cesar Conde - Next Level Summit

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Savannah Sellers0:28

Welcome back. We hope you've all learned a lot from those breakout sessions. Just a reminder: if you have a question that we haven't answered yet, you'll want to stick around for the career expos coming right up after the fireside chat. Now it's time for the main event: NBC Universal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde's fireside chat. Let's go to NBC News senior White House correspondent and Weekend Today co-host Kristen Welker, live with Cesar in our Washington DC studios. Hey Kristen!

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Kristen Welker1:07

Hey Savannah, it's so great to be with you. This event has been fantastic so far. We welcome everyone to our fireside chat with NBC Universal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde. He was named Chairman in May 2020, overseeing NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, and Telemundo. We'll get his insights on the fast-changing news industry, innovation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students from our NBCU Academy partner schools are here, along with Jose Diaz-Balart in Miami and Dominique Chu from CNBC. Cesar, thank you for being here. Talk about why NBCU Academy is so important and such a passion for you.

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Cesar Conde3:02

Look, one of our biggest strategic priorities is ensuring our newsrooms represent all the communities we serve. That means diversity in gender, ethnicity, geography, socio-economics, experiences, and perspectives. At the center of that strategy is NBCU Academy. We wanted to create a vehicle to help individuals from historically underrepresented communities break into this industry. We offer training seminars, access to professionals in front of and behind the camera, and mentorship. It's about building on-ramps for many people to enter this industry.

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Kristen Welker4:31

I'm so glad you mentioned mentorship. I think it's one of the keystones to success. Cesar, we're at an extraordinary time – covering war in Ukraine, new sanctions, the pandemic, and another election cycle. Talk about the role of NBC News and its journalists in this critical moment.

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Cesar Conde5:12

Yes, we are in a historic moment. The news from Ukraine is horrific. For me, it's a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in the United States. My mother left Cuba in the early 1960s, so I grew up understanding the importance of a free press in a democracy. Ukraine is a prism into journalism today: we see courage and bravery, but also complex issues. The fundamental challenge is trust. To restore trust, we must report facts accurately, hold power accountable, and ensure our newsrooms represent all communities. We also need to provide free access to high-quality news and use the same technologies that spread misinformation to disseminate rigorous journalism.

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Kristen Welker7:15

Tom Yamas talked about restoring trust. Journalists are under scrutiny and attack. How do we restore trust, and how is NBC doing?

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Cesar Conde7:42

This is a fundamental challenge for our industry and for society. There are no silver bullets. We focus on reporting facts and accountability. Three tactics: 1) Newsrooms that represent all communities build trust when people see their stories authentically covered. 2) Offer free access to excellent journalism for those who can't afford subscriptions. 3) Use the same platforms that spread misinformation to distribute our rigorous, high-quality journalism.

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Kristen Welker9:25

Glad you emphasized access. We'll delve deeper into streaming later. Now let's go to Telemundo Center in Miami. Jose Diaz-Balart, a mentor of mine, is with students from Florida International University. Jose, take it away.

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Jose Diaz-Balart9:52

My dear Kristen, it's great to see you. I'm at Telemundo Center, a place Cesar helped create. I'm with five extraordinary journalism students from FIU. Let's start with Michelle Morris.

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Michelle Morris10:34

Hi Cesar. If you ever had a mentor, what impact did it have on your life and how important is mentorship in this business?

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Cesar Conde10:50

I've been fortunate to have great mentors. The one I think of today is General Colin Powell, who would have been 85 today. I worked for him and learned the importance of values and doing the right thing, especially when it's hard. I'm grateful for that.

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Student11:44

Hi Cesar, what can we do as incoming journalists from minority groups to promote diversity in journalism?

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Cesar Conde11:55

Bring your authentic experience and perspective – that's your value. Also, use your native knowledge of emerging digital platforms, where we see growth. That's very helpful to our industry.

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Jose Diaz-Balart12:45

Kristen, I'll send it back to you. We have Catherine, Javier, and Natalie standing by.

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Kristen Welker12:58

We'll get to them. Now let's go to Sinclair at Montclair State University. Sinclair?

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Sinclair13:25

Thank you, Kristen. I'm at Montclair State with a journalism class. First up, Bernice Dagua.

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Bernice Dagua13:57

Hi Cesar. The industry has changed a lot. What does my generation have to look forward to?

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Cesar Conde14:11

It's an exciting time. News feels more consequential. There are many new platforms – streaming, podcasting, long-form documentaries. More places to build careers than even ten years ago.

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Sinclair15:38

Thank you. Andeji Cruz Rosario, your question?

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Andeji Cruz Rosario16:00

When you became chairman, you set a diversity goal of 50% people of color and 50% women. Why was that important and how is it going?

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Cesar Conde16:36

We always start from data. The 2020 census showed that for the first time, people under 18 who are people of color crossed 50%. The overall population will too. We chose to be future-focused. Year one of the 50% challenge showed tremendous progress, and year two is continuing. This is about sustainable, systemic change, not arbitrary numbers.

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Sinclair18:57

Important insight, Cesar. The students are talented. Back to you, Kristen.

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Kristen Welker19:06

Thanks, Sinclair. Now to CNBC's Dom Chu, monitoring questions. Dom?

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Dom Chu19:25

Yes, Kristen. Many questions. From Sam: With news so accessible, how do you find unique angles on widely reported stories like Ukraine?

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Cesar Conde20:15

First, have incredible journalists who understand issues deeply. Then keep all audiences in mind. For Ukraine, we look through lenses: military, humanitarian, geopolitical, relationship with Russia, NATO, and China's role. That gives unique perspectives.

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Dom Chu21:38

From Kaya, a Polish-American: How can a newbie with ties to the region cover this tragedy?

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Cesar Conde22:09

Kaya can make a contribution now using all platforms. Get in touch with our team. Most importantly, bring her authentic voice and experience – tell stories about families, displacement, generational impact.

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Dom Chu23:06

Kristen, I'll toss back to you.

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Kristen Welker23:21

Dom, please. One more question before a lightning round. Talk about the future of streaming – challenges and strengths.

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Cesar Conde23:44

Streaming is exciting. Consumption patterns shifted and the pandemic accelerated them. For news, people are just forming habits. We have NBC News Now (free, 24/7), Today All Day, and MSNBC on Peacock behind a paywall. Different services for different needs.

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Kristen Welker25:14

Jose, lightning round?

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Jose Diaz-Balart25:28

Natalie La Roche Pietro, your question.

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Natalie La Roche Pietro25:48

Hi Cesar. How has being the son of exiled and immigrant parents impacted your life and career?

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Cesar Conde26:40

My parents' immigrant experience influenced all of my life. They instilled the importance of education – that can never be taken away. That's why NBCU Academy is so important, to open opportunities for others.

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Jose Diaz-Balart27:23

Back to you, Kristen.

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Kristen Welker27:33

Jose, thank you. Sinclair? One more lightning round question.

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Sinclair27:49

Corey, senior, sports editor of the Montclarian.

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Corey27:58

As someone who broke barriers at the top, what advice for those starting out to break barriers?

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Cesar Conde28:06

Be passionate about excellence, have a rock-solid moral compass, and be a team player. Those three things will help.

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Sinclair28:51

Thank you, Cesar. Back to you, Kristen.

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Kristen Welker28:57

Dom, final question?

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Dom Chu29:05

From Samantha Aguilar: What do you envision for the future of nightly newscasts – will they go entirely on demand?

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Cesar Conde29:31

Great content will always find a home. We'll continue nightly news on traditional platforms, but also on streaming, podcasting, etc. It's about more places, not fewer.

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Kristen Welker30:17

Cesar, thank you for a fantastic conversation. Now, Jose, Sinclair, Dom – share your best advice for students.

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Jose Diaz-Balart30:45

Your greatest asset is who you are. Don't accept no; make your own doors. You are needed.

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Kristen Welker31:22

Great advice. Sinclair?

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Sinclair31:38

Never be too proud to ask a question. Our job is to point the mic and let people share their truth.

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Kristen Welker32:04

Dom?

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Dom Chu32:14

Say yes – follow stories that aren't your original plan. That's where you find rewarding stories.

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Kristen Welker33:13

Jose, anything to add?

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Jose Diaz-Balart33:20

Always believe in yourself. You'll have tough days, get back up. You can do it.

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Kristen Welker33:46

Thank you to all the students and participants. Back to Savannah Sellers.

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Savannah Sellers34:06

Hey Kristen. My advice: don't be too proud to do anything. Work the hardest, get your foot in the door, then impress people. Thank you to Comcast NBCUniversal. Career expos are open now. Apply for NBCU Academy workshops at journalism conferences. Go to nbcuacademy.com for more content.

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Narrator37:22

Preview: Al Roker on live TV interviews; Dr. John Torres; Isa Gutierrez; Equity Lab on diversity; and a live stream on advocating for yourself. For NBCU Academy, I'm Terrell Tangonan, Steve Patterson, and Joe Fryer.