Posted by Bud on May 09, 2010 at 13:53:47:
Another former Jacor/Clear Channel Radio executive is moving up the ranks at the Tribune. Chicago-based Tribune Company today announced that Jerry Kersting has been named President of its broadcasting division, effective immediately. Kersting is now responsible for the "strategic vision" and day-to-day operations of the Tribune-owned 23 television stations (including Chicago's WGN-TV), the national television channel WGN America, and Chicago's WGN-AM Radio.
Up until this morning, Kersting has been Tribune Broadcasting's Chief Operating Officer since December 2009. Prior to that, Kersting served as Executive Vice President for Tribune, joining the company in 2008. Before joining up with the Tribune Company, Kersting served as EVP/Chief Financial Officer of Clear Channel Radio from 1999-2008. Kersting had 34 years of credited service with Clear Channel and its various entities like Jacor, Citicasters, Great American Broadcasting and Taft Broadcasting.
"Jerry's done a great job since becoming COO of our broadcast group," said Tribune's Chief Executive Officer Randy Michaels. "He's smart, innovative and driven -- our stations have been expanding news, adding new programming and building audience. WGN America is stronger than ever. Jerry's leadership will keep us on the right path and drive even better results."
Fans of WGN-TV's current newscasts may be a little scared by what Kersting had to say this morning though. In a statement, he claimed, "We've established some strong momentum across our broadcasting division, but there is a lot more to do. We intend to shake up traditional local television news by doing things differently and giving viewers innovative broadcasts and a clear choice in our markets. Every night, people turn on their local news and see the same thing wherever they flip the channel -- we intend to change that."
Kersting replaces Ed Wilson, who quit the company last week after being head of Tribune's broadcasting division since 2008. Tribune stated that Wilson would be retained as a "consultant" for the company.