Posted by chicagomedia.org on September 25, 2008 at 11:45:56:
Tribune Names Marty Wilke as General Manager of WGN-TV
Sales Veteran Has Track Record Of Success At Station
Wilke Names Errol Gerber As Director Of Sales
CHICAGO -- Tribune Company today announced the appointment of Marty Wilke as vice president and general manager at Chicago's WGN-TV, effective immediately. Wilke has served as interim general manager since late-July, and has been the station's director of sales since 2002.
"Interim-schminterim ... Marty's earned this promotion," said Ed Wilson, president of Tribune Broadcasting. "She's the right person to lead the station -- her talent, energy, creativity, and dedication to WGN-TV's viewers and advertisers are without question. Marty understands the important role that WGN-TV plays in the community and the connection it has with people all over the Chicagoland area -- she's committed to keeping the station No. 1."
Wilke has a long history of working with advertisers and buying and selling media time. After a successful ten-year career with several advertising agencies, she joined WGN-TV in 1996 as a local sales account executive. She became local sales manager in 2001, and was named director of sales at the station in 2002. As interim general manager, Wilke oversaw the recent launch of WGN-TV's new weekday 5:30 p.m. local newscast.
"I am surrounded by a great staff doing great things," said Wilke. "Our 5:30 p.m. newscast is off to a great start and everyone is working hard to keep WGN-TV the leader in local news, information and entertainment programming. This station has a rich history of service to the community and I'm proud to lead it."
In her first move as general manager, Wilke announced that she has appointed Errol Gerber as director of sales for WGN-TV. (See separate WGN-TV press release issued today.)
TRIBUNE is America's largest employee-owned media company, operating businesses in publishing, interactive and broadcasting. In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, Sun Sentinel (South Florida), Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, Morning Call and Daily Press. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience. At Tribune we take what we do seriously and with a great deal of pride. We also value the creative spirit and are nurturing a corporate culture that doesn't take itself too seriously.
(tribune press release)