NBC News digital group has created an original video unit to create material for social, mobile and web audiences.

Bill Smee, who was executive producer at Slate.com’s video unit Slate V, is joining NBC next month to head the operation.

He will focus on developing branded video series to build on NBC News’ storytelling across digital platforms.

Vivian Schiller, senior VP & chief digital officer at NBC News, noted in a statement that while NBC is “already an industry leader in streaming clips from our television programing,” it would have an “additional focus on original video that extends the news division’s on-air and digital brands.”

Smee will report to Gregory Gittrich, VP-news & product at NBC News Digital and executive editor at nbcnews.com.

Before Slate, he spent 20 years as a producer and executive at CNN and the Discovery Times Channel.

Smee began his career in radio as on-air reporter/anchor at WVOX (New Rochelle) and production assistant at WINS (New York).