CHICAGO, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Company today announced that Jerry Kersting has been named President of its broadcasting division. Effective immediately, Kersting assumes responsibility for the strategic vision and day-to-day operations of the company's 23 television stations, its national cable channel, WGN America, and WGN Radio. Kersting has served as Tribune Broadcasting's Chief Operating Officer since December 2009.

"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."

Prior to being named COO of Tribune Broadcasting, Kersting served as Executive Vice President for Tribune, joining the company in 2008. In that role, Kersting was responsible for identifying strategic opportunities and efficiencies for the company's various media businesses. Before joining Tribune, Kersting served as EVP/Chief Financial Officer of Clear Channel Radio from 1999 to 2008. Kersting had 34 years of credited service with Clear Channel, where he held various management and executive positions at the company and its related entities, specifically Jacor, Citicasters, Great American Broadcasting and Taft Broadcasting, which through name change or acquisition make up that tenure.

"We've established some strong momentum across our broadcasting division, but there is a lot more to do," said Kersting. "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."

TRIBUNE is one of the country's leading multimedia companies, 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, The Morning Call and Daily Press. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable and Chicago's WGN-AM. 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 nurture a corporate culture that doesn't take itself too seriously.

SOURCE Tribune Company

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