Cox Media Group continues to roll-out its consolidated market structures as seven markets see new General Managers named including three where the company owns radio stations.
In Orlando where Paul Curran rose to Market Vice President in August, Jason Meder has been hired as General Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations. Meder has served as Director of Sales for Cox’ Tampa cluster since 2002 and will assume the role most recently held by now Entercom San Francisco head Susan Larkin.
In Jacksonville, Bob Longo rises to be the General Manager under Market VP Dan Lawrie. Longo had been working in the cluster as News Director of its two television stations. Longo does have radio experience as he served as News Director of 1180 WHAM Rochester NY in the early 1990s,
In Miami, Ralph Benzi moves up from Director of Sales to General Manager reporting to Regional Vice President Rob Babin. Babin had filled that position until his promotion last month to overseeing all of the five markets where Cox only owns radio properties.
Cox Media Group (CMG) has named veteran broadcast leaders to take on senior leadership roles in seven CMG markets.
Boston: With Tom Raponi’s upcoming retirement, Joe Pomilla will lead CMG Boston as VP/General Manager for WFXT-TV, reporting to Regional VP Ray Carter. Previously, Pomilla, a 30-year broadcasting veteran, was VP/General Manager for CMG Charlotte. Before joining CMG, he was VP/General Manager at WCBD-TV in Charleston, S.C.
Charlotte: Cedric Thomas has been promoted to CMG Charlotte’s new VP/General Manager for WSOC and WAXN TV stations, reporting to Regional VP Ray Carter. Most recently, Thomas was Director of Sales for CMG Pittsburgh. Thomas joined WPXI from WEWS-TV in Cleveland where he was Director of Sales.
Memphis: Susan Connor has been promoted to VP/General Manager of CMG Memphis for WHBQ-TV, reporting to Regional VP Ray Carter. Connor previously was the Creative Services Director at KIRO-TV in Seattle. She has a 33-year career in broadcast television and served as the Station Manager for KOB-TV in Albuquerque, N.M., before joining CMG.
Orlando: In this newly integrated market, Jason Meder has been promoted to General Manager of CMG Orlando, where he will report to Market VP Paul Curran. Meder comes to Orlando from CMG Tampa Radio, where he has spent the last 16 years, most recently as the Director of Sales.
Pittsburgh: We are welcoming Kevin Hayes back to CMG. He will be CMG Pittsburgh’s new General Manager for WPXI-TV, reporting to Regional VP Ray Carter. From 2010 to 2013, Hayes was the VP/General Manager of WJAC-TV in Johnstown, Penn., a property previously owned by CMG. Most recently, he was General Manager for Sinclair’s KFOX-TV and CBS4 in El Paso, Texas.
Jacksonville: Market VP Dan Lawrie has promoted Bob Longo to work with him on the market’s integration strategy as CMG Jacksonville’s new General Manager. Longo, whose broadcast career began in radio, has most recently been the News Director at Jacksonville’s WFOX and WJAX TV stations. Prior to joining CMG, he spent five years as News Director at WESH in Orlando and nearly 10 years as News Director at WTAE in Pittsburgh.
Miami: Regional VP Rob Babin has promoted Ralph Renzi to General Manager of CMG Miami Radio. Renzi most recently was the Director of Sales for Miami Radio. Prior to joining CMG Miami, Ralph was a member of the sales management team at WTOP Bonneville/Hubbard Radio in Washington D.C.
“I am pleased that we have proven leadership talent at Cox Media Group to fill these critical positions,” said CMG President Kim Guthrie. “We have the best media professionals in the business. Our entire team of proven leaders will take CMG into the future and position us for continued growth and success.”
These new leaders will transition into their roles between now and the end of the year.
