Michael J. Hayes, who since March 2011 has served as president and general manager at Hearst Television’s WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA, has been named senior vice president and group head of Hearst Television.
In his new role, Hayes, who will relocate to Hearst Television’s New York headquarters, will share oversight responsibilities for a portfolio of the company’s 29 television stations along with Frank Biancuzzo, also a Hearst Television senior vice president and group head.
Hayes’ promotion, effective June 1, was announced by David J. Barrett, chairman and chief executive officer of Hearst Television, and Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television.
“Over the past 16 years, Mike’s leadership skills and management contributions have been exceptional,” Barrett said. “He is an experienced and accomplished executive who understands how local stations must serve their communities, viewers, and advertisers to optimize business opportunities in today’s, and tomorrow’s, highly competitive multi-platform media world. In every step of his career with Hearst Television he’s been a high performer, and we are delighted that he’ll be joining our talented management team in New York to work with our stations and help us compete at an even higher level in the years ahead.”
During his tenure at WTAE as president and general manager, Hayes led a rejuvenation of the station – advancing its local news profile and enhancing sales and customer service initiatives in the Pittsburgh market. A new WTAE GM is t/b/a.
Prior to moving to WTAE, Hayes was president and general manager of Hearst’s WYFF-TV, the NBC affiliate in the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, television market. During his time there, the station was honored with a Peabody Award for an episode of its “Chronicle” newsmagazine program, as well as a NAB Service to America Award and a RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award, among multiple other honors.
