NBC Exec Randy Falco To Head AOL

Time Warner Inc. named a veteran television executive Wednesday to head its AOL division at a time the online unit is evolving to become more of a media company supported by advertising dollars.

Randy Falco, 52, president and chief operating officer of the NBC Universal Television Group, replaces Jonathan Miller, who is leaving the company.

The move comes less than four months after Time Warner announced it would give away AOL.com e-mail accounts, software and other features once reserved for paying customers in an effort to boost online advertising revenue. The strategy shift follows years of declines in Dulles, Va.-based AOL's core Internet access business.

"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 realizes its promise," Time Warner Chairman and Chief Executive Dick Parsons said in a statement.

Falco is currently responsible for NBC Universal's commercial and operation functions, including network and cable sales and business development. Before taking that role in 2005, Falco was president of the NBC Universal Television Network Group and group president of the NBC Television Network.

NBC is owned by General Electric Co.