CHICAGO & IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WGN America, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.’s, wholly-owned cable network currently reaching 75 million U.S. television households, today announced that Jonathan Killian will join the network as Vice President, Creative Marketing and Brand Communications. Mr. Killian joins Nexstar from CNN International (CNNI), where he was Executive Director of Creative and Brand Development, overseeing the network’s on-air presentation and coordinating global marketing/programming strategy.
In this newly created role, Mr. Killian will oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive brand marketing strategy for WGN America and assume responsibility for the network’s promotions, creative and marketing departments. WGN America is the home of NewsNation, the country’s only live unbiased national newscast airing in prime-time every night. Mr. Killian assumes his new role on January 25, reporting to Sean Compton, Nexstar Inc.’s Networks Division President.
“Jonathan’s deep understanding of creative marketing and proven record of global brand development make him a valuable asset,” said Compton. “We are excited to have him join the network’s leadership team as we continue to expand WGN America and its programming.”
During his 13-year tenure at CNNI, Mr. Killian was instrumental in the relaunch of the network’s positioning, the revamp of the network’s on-air presentation and the launch of more than two dozen prime-time on-air programs. He was also responsible for the re-positioning and creative on-air transformation of CNN en Español and consulted on creative overhauls and network launches in the Philippines, Turkey, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Brazil. He served as the project manager for the launch of CNN Indonesia, and while in Jakarta, was responsible for newsgathering, technical operations, editorial, creative, promotion and marketing. While at CNNI, Mr. Killian helped build the CNN Academy, facilitating CNNI's training and consulting programs around the world. Mr. Killian also recently served as executive project manager for the move of CNN International’s bureau in London, overseeing operations and the design and build-out of its new multimillion-dollar studios.
“Our nation needs strong, fact-based journalism more than ever and I’m humbled to be joining a company like Nexstar that believes so passionately in developing news content,” said Mr. Killian. “Nexstar’s communities and viewers will fuel WGN America and NewsNation to even greater heights. I’m looking forward to leading the network’s strategic branding and marketing efforts at this pivotal time.”
The recipient of 10 regional Emmy Awards, Mr. Killian began his media career in local television and has served as a creative director, writer, producer and editor in multiple major U.S. television markets, including Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Cleveland, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunication and Film from The University of Alabama and an MBA from Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia.
About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group (NASDAQ: NXST) 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. Its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Nexstar Inc., consists of three divisions: Broadcasting, Digital, and Networks. The Broadcasting Division operates, programs, or provides sales and other services to 198 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 116 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households (reflecting the FCC’s UHF discount). The division’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. The Digital Division operates 122 local websites and 316 mobile apps offering hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content and creating new revenue opportunities for the company. The Networks Division operates WGN America, a growing national general entertainment cable network and the home of NewsNation, multicast network Antenna TV, and WGN Radio in Chicago. Nexstar also owns a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top tier cable asset. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Forward-looking statements include information preceded by, followed by, or that includes the words "guidance," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "could," or similar expressions. For these statements, Nexstar claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this communication, concerning, among other things, future financial performance, including changes in net revenue, cash flow and operating expenses, involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors, including the impact of changes in national and regional economies, the ability to service and refinance our outstanding debt, successful integration of acquired television stations and digital businesses (including achievement of synergies and cost reductions), pricing fluctuations in local and national advertising, future regulatory actions and conditions in the television stations' operating areas, competition from others in the broadcast television markets, volatility in programming costs, the effects of governmental regulation of broadcasting, industry consolidation, technological developments and major world news events. Nexstar undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication might not occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. For more details on factors that could affect these expectations, please see Nexstar’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
