Tribune Broadcasting Names Veteran Media Executive Bob Cook as Strategic Advisor

CHICAGO, Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Broadcasting announced today that veteran media executive Bob Cook will serve as a strategic advisor, reporting to the division's CEO and President, Nils Larsen.  Cook will work with the division's management team in a variety of areas, including strengthening and expanding its sales efforts, developing and distributing original programming, and generally advancing the company's businesses.

"Bob brings not only a long and distinguished record of accomplishment, he also brings a fresh perspective and a variety of new and interesting ideas about where the industry is heading and how we should position our broadcast operations for long-term success," said Larsen.  "I'm excited to have Bob join our team and I look forward to working with him."

Through his advisory company MBN Inc., Cook works with top-tier entertainment companies to help market to and acquire content for broadcast and cable networks, local TV stations, emerging digital channels, and advertising agencies.  Before establishing MBN, Cook was president of Twentieth Television, the syndication sales/production arm for News Corporation's broadcast and cable operations at Fox Television.  For nearly a decade under his leadership, Twentieth Television enjoyed sales and profits that were the highest in its history, exceeding $1 billion in annual sales.

"Tribune Broadcasting has an outstanding collection of assets in the country's top markets and a talented, first-rate team that is envied across the industry," said Cook.  "There is a lot of opportunity for Tribune Broadcasting and I am thrilled to be helping the company."

During his career Cook has launched or spearheaded innovative sales and marketing efforts of approximately 140 television programs comprised of first run syndication, network, off-network syndication and motion pictures, as well as some of TV's most recognizable programs including "Family Guy," "How I Met Your Mother," "Married With Children," "The Practice," "Hollywood Squares," "COPS," "America's Most Wanted," "King of the Hill," "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy," and the three most successful off-net series in syndication history: "Seinfeld," "Everybody Loves Raymond," and "The Simpsons."

Cook has also pioneered a host of creative and strategic initiatives in cable and broadcast sales, advertising sales and marketing that have resulted in enormous ratings success and over $10 billion dollars in revenue. Throughout his 35-year career, Cook has won numerous awards for his work; he was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in October, 2008.

Tribune Broadcasting is a division of Tribune Company.  The division owns and/or operates 23 television stations concentrated in major markets and WGN America on national cable. The group's combined reach is more than 80 percent of U.S. television households. Tribune Broadcasting also includes Chicago's WGN-AM Radio and a 31% investment interest in the TV Food Network.

SOURCE Tribune Broadcasting