Univision’s Programming Guru Start Consultancy.

Univision Communications Inc. announced that Mario Rodriguez will assume a new role as consultant for Univision which will enable him to pursue personal entrepreneurial interests through his newly formed company, New Skies Media. On television matters, Rodriguez will be under contract to consult exclusively with Univision.

Otto Padron, Ronald Day and Margarita Black will continue to head programming for Univision, TeleFutura and Galavision, respectively, and will now report directly to Ray Rodriguez, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Univision Television Networks.

“Mario has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to Univision,” said A. Jerrold Perenchio, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “His remarkable ability to understand Hispanic audiences and develop programming strategies to meet their specific needs have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues at Univision and throughout the industry. In his new consulting role, Mario will be able to leverage his extensive experience and insight for the exclusive benefit of Univision, as well as have time for other interests. We thank him for his important role in Univision’s development and look forward to his continuing contributions in the years ahead.”

“I am most excited about starting this new and rewarding stage in my career. After nearly 14 years at Univision in programming and entertainment, I look forward to taking on new professional challenges which will allow me to continue contributing to Spanish-language broadcasting in America,” said Mario Rodriguez. “By launching New Skies Media and providing exclusive consulting services to Univision, I remain proudly connected to the dedicated and talented Univision family. I am most grateful to Jerry Perenchio for supporting this new venture and for providing the exceptional vision for our company, a vision I have been most fortunate to carry forth.”

Rodriguez continued: “Univision is a first-class company with an outstanding team of hard-working professionals and talented artists, who will provide even greater achievements in the future. It is also most fortunate to have the leading providers of Spanish-language programming in the world, Televisa and Venevision, as partners. I look forward to continuing all of these relationships, and to be inspired by my continued association with Hispanic America’s finest.”