MediaFile

UPDATE: Everybody loves Steve Burke, even Warren Buffett

When news of Comcast’s bid for NBC Universal broke on Sept 30 most of the spotlight focused on Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts.

But as the weeks dragged on, some of that spotlight began to shine on his number 2, Stephen Burke, chief operating officer and a former senior Disney executive.

As we now know since the deal was confirmed on Dec 3, NBC Universal’s top brass will report to Burke, making him (once you count the 24 million subscribers he also oversees) one of the most powerful men in TV.

Now, as if he won’t be busy enough taking drape measurements at 30 Rock, Burke has added another feather to his cap. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway said this morning that he will join the board.

While it may be sign that Buffett is opening up his board to outsiders, it’s also a sign that Burke has become a force to be reckoned with in the corporate world. He already serves on the board of JP Morgan, which as you might recall had a lot to do with engineering the NBC deal — JPMorgan was the banker for NBC parent General Electric.

How powerful is Burke? Well even his minions-to-be can’t get enough of him. A CNBC reporter said this morning in response to the news of his Berkshire appointment, that Burke is “a very handsome man.”

UPDATE: Since we issued our original post, Comcast put out a regulatory filing stating Burke’s contract has been extended for another five years to Dec 2014. The new contract “acknowledges his substantially increased responsibilities.”

Buffett’s in the cards

Kenneth Li

May 2, 2008 13:11 EDT

Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway sells bricks, candy, car insurance, carpets, ice cream, jewelry, knives, paint and underwear. Many of these items are available for sale at stalls at Berkshire’s well-attended shareholders meeting every year.

In looking for something new to hawk to some 32,000 investors at the meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, this weekend, Berkshire-owned Business Wire will be selling Buffett baseball cards.

About 2,500 packs of “Berkyville Wiredcats” cards will be available. Each pack of six cards will sell for $10. The proceeds will go to Buffett’s favorite local charity, the CASA of Douglas County, Nebraska. CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is an organization for abused and neglected children within the court system.

But will the cards come with Wrigley’s gum?