Cox Enterprises Announces Executive Leadership Transition

ATLANTA, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Enterprises, Inc. announced today that after 33 years of dedicated service to the company, Jimmy W. Hayes will retire from Cox in April, 2014 as part of the company's long-term, succession plan.

Hayes has served as president and chief executive officer since 2008, leading the company's four major subsidiaries: Cox Communications, Manheim, Cox Media Group and AutoTrader Group, as well as corporate headquarters groups including financial operations, human resources and administration.

"Jimmy has led an impressive career at Cox, and I consider it a privilege having worked alongside him for so many years," said Jim Kennedy, chairman of Cox Enterprises. "I thank Jimmy for his loyalty and service to Cox, and am delighted to work with him over the next 12 months to carefully and thoughtfully transition Cox's next senior leadership team."

Hayes will continue serving as a member of the Cox Enterprises board of directors.

Effective May 1, John M. Dyer will be named chief operating officer of Cox Enterprises and will succeed Hayes as president and chief executive officer upon Hayes' retirement next year.

"John is a seasoned Cox leader with deep and rich experience in both finance and operations," said Kennedy. "His commitment to the Cox culture, coupled with his pursuit of excellence makes him the perfect choice to succeed Jimmy. I look forward to working closely with John as we continue to invest in opportunities to grow our portfolio of businesses."

A 36-year Cox veteran, Dyer currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Cox Enterprises, a position he has held since 2008. Dyer began his career at Cox in 1977 as internal auditor and in 1980, joined the company's broadband communications and entertainment subsidiary, Cox Communications, as a financial analyst. He later served as manager of capital asset planning and director of operations before joining Times Mirror Cable, where he was regional vice president of operations and vice president of operations. Dyer returned to Cox Communications as vice president of financial planning and analysis when Cox acquired Times Mirror in 1995.

In 1998, Dyer was named Cox Communications' senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions, where he helped acquire more than two million subscribers. He also served as senior vice president of operations for Cox Communications' Western Division, which includes operations in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. Dyer served as Cox Communications' chief financial officer before assuming the role of Cox Enterprises' executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2008. He is a member of the Cox Enterprises board of directors and serves on the board of trustees for the Marcus Autism Center.

Douglas E. Franklin will succeed Dyer to become executive vice president and chief financial officer of Cox Enterprises, effective May 1.  Franklin currently serves as president of Cox Media Group, a position he has held since 2011.

In his new role, Franklin will be responsible for the company's treasury, financial reporting and control, as well as tax and audit functions. He also has responsibility for public policy, supply chain services, information technology, risk management and legal.

"Doug has spent his entire career with Cox and will make a great addition to the Cox Enterprises senior leadership team," continued Kennedy. "His extensive experience in both finance and operations is the ideal background for this role, and the skills he's honed for the past three decades will serve him well as he makes his transition."

As President of Cox Media Group, Franklin is responsible for leading Cox Enterprises' integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media subsidiary. Cox Media Group operates 19 broadcast television stations; 88 radio stations; eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, more than 100 digital services and Cox Reps. Additionally, Cox Media Group owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America.

Previously serving as Executive Vice President of Newspapers for Cox Media Group, Franklin also has served as publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, publisher of The Palm Beach Post, president and chief executive officer of Cox Ohio Publishing, publisher of the Dayton Daily News and executive vice president, general manager and business manager of Dayton Newspapers. Franklin joined the company more than 30 years ago as a door-to-door circulation solicitor.

Succeeding Franklin as president of Cox Media Group will be Bill Hoffman, who currently serves as an executive vice president at Cox Media Group. In this role, Hoffman oversees the majority of the company's radio and television operations, as well as its corporate revenue efforts.

"Bill is a talented, senior executive who will provide strong leadership, continuity and direction at Cox Media Group," Kennedy added. "His innate understanding of the integration of broadcast, print and digital media will help ensure Cox outlets maintain their enviable rankings in a highly-competitive media landscape."

Prior to serving as Executive Vice President, Hoffman was vice president and general manager of the company's WSB-TV in Atlanta. He joined Cox in 1979 as an account representative at TeleRep and has held a number of roles within the company. Those include vice president and general manager of WFTV 9 in Orlando, local sales manager at WSB-TV, office manager at Atlanta's TeleRep office and national sales manager at WPXI in Pittsburgh. He also served as local and national sales manager of WCCO in Minneapolis, Minn.

Hoffman serves on the ABC board of governors as its current chairman, on the board of directors of the Anti-Defamation League, Southeast Region and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

About Cox Enterprises 
Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues of more than $15 billion and more than 50,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications, Inc. (cable television distribution, telephone, high-speed Internet access, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Manheim, Inc. (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); AutoTrader.com (online automotive advertising and Kelley Blue Book, vAuto, HomeNet Automotive and Vin Solutions subsidiaries); and Cox Media Group, Inc. (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers, advertising sales rep firms, Valpak and Cox Digital Solutions). Additionally, Cox operates Kudzu.com.

Social Media: Twitter – twitter.com/CoxEnterprises Facebook - facebook.com/CoxEnterprises 

About Cox Media Group 
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps.  Additionally, CMG owns Cox Target Media, which operates Valpak, one of North America's leading direct marketing companies, and Savings.com, a leading online source for savings.  The company's operations currently include 19 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 88 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services.  CMG currently operates in more than 30 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 32 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 18 million radio listeners. 

SOURCE Cox Enterprises, Inc.