LIN Media LLC (“LIN Media” or the “Company”) (NYSE:LIN) announced today
that Scott Blumenthal, Executive Vice President Television, will retire
on December 31, 2013, after a distinguished 30-year career with the
Company. Jay Howell, the Company’s current Vice President Regional
Television, has been named Mr. Blumenthal’s successor. Effective January
1, 2014, Mr. Howell will assume the position of Vice President
Television.
Mr. Blumenthal launched his broadcasting career in 1970, after earning a
Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Indiana State
University. He worked in virtually every department at WTWO-TV in Terre
Haute and WRTV-TV in Indianapolis before partnering to develop an
advertising agency, commercial syndication and animation studio. In
1983, Mr. Blumenthal was recruited by LIN Media to be the Local Sales
Manager for WISH-TV in Indianapolis, and in 1994, to be the President
and General Manager of WOOD-TV and WOTV-TV, both located in Grand
Rapids, Michigan. He returned to WISH-TV as President and General
Manager in 1999 before being named Regional Vice President for LIN Media
in 2002. In 2005, Mr. Blumenthal was promoted to Vice President
Television and then a year later, was promoted again to his current
position of Executive Vice President Television. Following his
retirement, Mr. Blumenthal will provide consulting services to the
Company.
“Scott’s deep understanding of television news, programming, sales and
community engagement, coupled with his decisive leadership, has
contributed enormously to the growth and success of our Company,” said
Vincent Sadusky, President and Chief Executive Officer of LIN Media.
“His retirement culminates a long and successful career in broadcasting
and is certainly well-deserved. Scott has done a great job preparing Jay
for a smooth transition and giving him the tools he needs to continue
evolving our television stations for the future.”
Mr. Blumenthal has been involved with numerous community organizations
over the years and is also the recipient of several awards, including
the national first place award from the Retail Merchants Association,
five Addy awards from the American Advertising Federation, the Grand
Rapids Galaxy Award for “Community Service Leader” and the American
Women in Radio and Television’s (AWRT) award for “Professionalism in
Television Management”. In 2012, he received the Indiana Broadcasters
Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Blumenthal is Past Chairman
of both the Indiana Broadcasters Association and the Michigan
Broadcasters Association. He currently serves on the Board of the
Television Bureau of Advertising. He also served as Treasurer of the CBS
Board of Affiliates in 2005 and was promoted to Chairman of the Board in
2007. Mr. Blumenthal was re-elected to the Board of Directors for the
National Association of Broadcasters in 2012, having served on that
Board since 2007.
“I feel fortunate to have been in this exciting and dynamic business for
over 40 years, 30 of which have been with an industry-leading company
like LIN Media,” said Mr. Blumenthal. “I look forward to working with
Jay and the rest of the Executive Team in a consultancy role and
spending some much needed time with my family and golf game.”
About LIN Media
LIN Media is a local multimedia company that operates or services 43
television stations and seven digital channels in 23 U.S. markets, and a
diverse portfolio of websites, apps and mobile products that make it
more convenient to access its unique and relevant content on multiple
screens.
LIN Media’s highly-rated television stations deliver important local
news and community stories along with top-rated sports and entertainment
programming to 10.5% of U.S. television homes. The Company’s digital
media operations focus on emerging media and interactive technologies
that deliver performance-driven digital marketing solutions to some of
the nation’s most respected agencies and brands. LIN Media LLC trades on
the NYSE under the symbol “LIN”. The Company regularly uses its website
as a key source of Company information and can be accessed at www.linmedia.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2013