Business News

Cox Media Group Announces New Integrated Media Organization

Thursday 20. August 2009 - New structure reinforces commitment to media businesses and serving customers

Cox Media Group, Inc. announced today a new operating concept that reorganizes its media businesses by maximizing the expertise and talents of its media professionals across its portfolio of radio, television and newspaper businesses. This model is a departure from the company’s traditional grouping of businesses solely by medium, and it responds to rapidly changing consumer and advertiser preferences.

“This new concept is another step toward fulfilling Cox Media Group’s vision of operating as a fully-integrated media company,” said Sandy Schwartz, president of Cox Media Group. “Sharing expertise and best practices across all of our media properties allows us to better serve consumers and advertisers in our changing environment. In addition, each of Cox’s media properties will benefit from expanded shared services such as Research, Sales, Digital, Finance, Human Resources and Engineering.”

While Cox’s local media properties and brands will still operate independently, including continuing their existing independent news and editorial functions, this new model provides opportunities for significant knowledge sharing, talent development, increased operating efficiencies and cost savings. Additionally, the reorganization helps the company to enhance and expand its digital assets and sales expertise across all of its media properties. No job eliminations resulting from the new model are expected at this time.

With this announcement, Doug Franklin, a veteran newspaper executive, and Bob Neil, president of Cox Radio, have been named to new roles of executive vice president, Cox Media Group, reporting to Schwartz. Franklin and Neil will oversee Cox’s broadcasting and newspaper properties across the nation. Marc Morgan has been named senior vice president and chief revenue officer, and he will work with Cox’s sales function across all media.

“We’re creating a leadership model to better reflect the reality of today’s media marketplace. As the boundaries between traditional and digital media merge, it’s important to have leaders in place who can think broadly across the media landscape as they guide our way forward,” added Schwartz.

Today’s announcement signals the evolution of Cox’s media business strategy for future growth and success. Since Cox combined its media businesses into one organization in December 2008, Cox Media Group has brought together its national advertising firms into New York-based Cox Reps and taken Cox Radio private.

The new business model will continue to evolve over the next several months as the reporting structures go into effect.