Tribune Television Streamlines Management
Structure
CHICAGO, June 29, 2001 -- Tribune
Television President Patrick J. Mullen has announced a re-alignment
of group-level resources for programming, news, and sales.
"We're making several important changes
in group management as part of our continuing commitment to
increased efficiency and to address emerging business opportunities,"
said Mullen. "This re-alignment of resources is designed
to reduce administrative costs using new technology, and to
increase group-wide cooperation in the development of news
content and group sales."
Group Program Directors Named
"The role of the program director has
changed significantly in the last five years as a direct result
of computer automation," said Marc Schacher, Vice President/Programming
and Development. "Today our program managers can use
these technologies to handle multiple stations in various
markets effectively. We're fortunate to have the kind of experienced
programming talent within our company that allows us to consolidate
many of these administrative functions."
Tribune television stations in New York, Los
Angeles and Chicago will continue to have dedicated program
directors. "In place of having a program director in
each market, the remaining 19 Tribune TV stations will be
served by three new group program directors reporting to Marc
Schacher," Mullen explained.
Kath Quinn has been named Group Program Director
based at WATL-TV, Atlanta. Natalie Grant, previously program
director at WBZL-TV, Miami has been named Group Program Director
based in Seattle. Wendy Logsdon, previously program director
at KDAF-TV has been named Group Program Director based in
Dallas.
"As in the past, station programming decisions
will continue to be made locally by the management team at
each television station," Schacher said. "The group
program directors will provide analysis and support to help
each local general manager make informed decisions based on
local viewing interests."
Steve Ramsey named Vice President,
News Operations
Steve Ramsey, currently Station Manager at
KTLA-TV in Los Angeles has been named Vice President/News
Operations for Tribune Television. Before joining KTLA, Ramsey
was News Director of WGN-TV in Chicago and has also led top-rated
television news operations in San Diego, Houston, Orlando
and other markets.
"Further growth in local news audience
is vital to Tribune's continued success," Mullen said.
"We're thrilled to have someone with Steve Ramsey's wealth
of local news experience who can step into this important
group role."
In his new position, Ramsey will coordinate
group activity among local news operations and assist stations
on joint news projects and content.
Vice President/ Sales Operations
"As our broadcasting group has expanded,
we have begun to recognize many new opportunities in sales,"
said Mullen. "For this reason we have created a group-level
Vice President/ Sales Operations position to work closely
with our station rep firms, Tribune Media Net, and our local
sales units to increase advertising revenues."
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TRIBUNE (NYSE:
TRB) is one of the country's premier media companies,
operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing and on the
Internet. It reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. households,
and is the only media company with television stations, newspapers
and Web sites in the nation's top three markets. Tribune media
span 23 major-market television stations, including national
superstation WGN-TV; 12 market-leading daily newspapers, including
the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Newsday; and news
and information Web sites in 18 of the nation's top 30 markets.
Tribune Broadcasting owns and operates
22 major market television stations, including national superstation
WGN-TV, and reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. television
households. The company has interests in The WB Television
Network (25%) and TV Food Network (29%). Tribune also owns
and operates four radio stations, including WGN-AM in Chicago
and three stations in Denver. Tribune Entertainment develops
and distributes first-run television programming for the Tribune
station group and for national syndication. In addition, the
company owns the Chicago Cubs baseball team. |
