Nexstar Media Group Names Brien Kennedy Vice President and General Manager of its Broadcasting and Digital Operations in Buffalo, New York
Accomplished Industry Executive with 34 Years of Local Broadcasting and Large Market Leadership Experience to Head WIVB-TV (CBS), WNLO-TV (CW) and wivb.com
BUFFALO, New York and IRVING, Texas – Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., has appointed Brien Kennedy as Vice President and General Manager of its broadcasting and digital operations in Buffalo, New York (DMA #52), overseeing WIVB-TV (CBS), WNLO-TV (CW) and their associated digital operations, including wivb.com. Mr. Kennedy will assume his new responsibilities immediately and report to Theresa Underwood, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
Mr. Kennedy brings a distinguished background to his new role at Nexstar Broadcasting, with more than three decades of broadcasting experience in station and sales management, local content development, and strategic planning across multiple media platforms, including major market experience in Miami, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Philadelphia. Most recently, from 2015 to 2019, Mr. Kennedy served as President and General Manager of KYW-TV (CBS) and WPSG-TV (CW) in Philadelphia, PA (DMA #4), where he implemented a variety of innovative local content strategies, solidifying KYW-TV’s #2 news ranking. Under Mr. Kennedy’s leadership, KYW-TV expanded local programming, launching a 4 PM newscast designed to be interactive and hyper local.
From 2010 to 2015, Mr. Kennedy served as Vice President and General Manager at WCCO-TV (CBS) in Minneapolis, MN (DMA #15), where he led a significant turnaround in overall operating performance. Under his leadership, the station set records for profitability, news ratings growth, and revenue share. Prior to his time at WCCO-TV, he served as Executive Vice President at Freedom Communications, where he rebuilt the company’s sales organization, oversaw all revenue development for the television division, and served as Vice President and General Manager of WPEC-TV (CBS) in West Palm Beach, FL (DMA #37). From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Kennedy oversaw the Viacom Station Group of South Florida, including two TV stations in Miami (DMA #16) and three TV stations in West Palm Beach.
Mr. Kennedy began his broadcast career in 1985 with what was then the Gannett Company as a local account executive at WUSA-TV in Washington, DC (DMA #6). Mr. Kennedy also worked in various sales positions at Gannett and Blair Television.
“Brien is an exceptional industry leader with expertise in managing distinguished stations in multiple large- and medium-size markets,” said Ms. Underwood. “His depth and breadth of experience and results-oriented, entrepreneurial approach to the business of broadcasting and sales management are necessary skillsets to lead our Buffalo operations. Brien also has a long track record of transforming operations, driving both outstanding revenue results and market share growth. He has a deep understanding of how to develop exclusive local content for our viewers and digital users and effective multi-platform marketing opportunities for our clients. He also has built successful sales teams that have established enduring partnerships with local and national advertisers and sports franchises. We look forward to Brien’s contributions as we continue to enhance the effectiveness and value of our broadcast, digital and mobile services for local viewers and advertisers across Western New York.”
Commenting on his new position, Mr. Kennedy noted, “I am excited to be heading to the wonderful city of Buffalo to take on this new opportunity at Nexstar, the nation’s leading local broadcast company. The staff at WIVB-TV, WNLO-TV, and wivb.com is talented, experienced and committed, and we will work together to continue generating results for our clients and enhancing the overall experience for our dedicated viewers and digital users. Nexstar’s strong commitment to superior local content production and service, combined with its scalable diversified marketing solutions will deliver distinct competitive advantages for our clients. After more than 30 years in the industry, Buffalo is where I belong. My wife and I are excited to move to Western New York and immerse ourselves in the local community.”
Mr. Kennedy has a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland. He has been active in the communities in which he has worked and resided throughout his professional career. He has served as a board member on the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia, Make A Wish Minnesota, Youthlink of Minneapolis and Fresh Start Women’s Foundation Phoenix, as well as various industry boards.
Mr. Kennedy and Resa, his wife of 33 years, will be immediately relocating to Buffalo. They have three grown children and are expecting their first grandchild to arrive soon.
About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 197 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 115 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households (reflecting the FCC’s UHF discount). Nexstar’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar’s community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content while creating new revenue opportunities. Nexstar also owns WGN America, a growing national general entertainment cable network and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top tier cable asset. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.
Media Contacts
Theresa Underwood
SVP/Regional Manager
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
315/446-9999 or tunderwood@nexstar.tv
Gary Weitman
EVP and Chief Communications Officer
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
312/222-3394 or gweitman@nexstar.tv
Investor Contacts
Joe Jaffoni or Jennifer Neuman
JCIR/212/835-8500 or nxst@jcir.com