Coleman, Cottrill Land VP/GM Roles at Nexstar Properties

Nexstar Media Group is celebrating a promotion to the role of Vice President/General Manager at its NBC affiliate serving Ohio’s state capital for its current station leader in Richmond, while it welcomes a new VP/GM for its CBS affiliate in Wheeling, W. Va.

These individuals are taking the positions of leaders who have announced their retirement.

Now leading WCMH-4 in Columbus is Larry Cottrill.

He’s been in charge of WRIC-8 in Richmond, the market’s ABC affiliate, since its acquisition by Nexstar in 2017.

Cottrill will succeed Ken Freedman, who is retiring after serving as WCMH’s VP/GM since 2017, concluding a 44-year career in broadcasting. He will begin his new duties on August 7, and report to SVP/Regional Manager Brandin Stewart.

“Larry is a great choice to succeed Ken as Vice President and General Manager of our Columbus media properties,” Stewart said. “He is extremely familiar with Nexstar, our multiplatform business model and our strategies for growth and service to the community. He’s done a great job at WRIC-TV, has been successful everywhere he’s been, and instinctively knows how to connect with viewers, advertisers and the community. I am looking forward to working with Larry in this new role and to continuing to burnish
the reputation and legacy of NBC4. Ken has been a great leader for WCMH-TV, and an outstanding leader in the greater Columbus community. We wish him well in his retirement.”

Commenting on his new role, Cottrill said, “I am extremely grateful to Nexstar for giving me the opportunity to lead WCMH-TV’s broadcast and digital operations in Columbus, and to my colleagues at WRIC-TV for their tremendous effort and help over the last six years. I am looking forward to getting to know the Columbus community and its viewers and advertisers. This is a great television station with a rich history, and when you combine it with Nexstar’s commitment to local content and the unique and innovative cross-platform advertising solutions we offer viewers and clients, the result gives us a distinct advantage over our competitors.”

Prior to WRIC-TV, Cottrill served in various professional capacities at such stations at WTRF-7 in Wheeling, W. Va., a CBS affiliate that is now under the leadership of new VP/GM Mitzi Coleman.

Coleman is taking over for Roger Lyons, who is retiring after serving as WTRF’s VP/GM for the past 19 years and is ending a nearly 50-year career in broadcasting.

Since 2020, Coleman has served as Market Sales Manager and Station Manager for KTVL-10 and “Southern Oregon’s CW 11,” in Medford-Ashland, Ore., where she was
responsible for the long-term strategy and day-to-day operations of both stations, overseeing advertising sales, sponsorships, and the development of new revenue streams.

Coleman is already leading WTRF and reports to SVP/Regional Manager Traci Wilkinson.

“Mitzi is the ideal choice to succeed Roger and she will build on the station’s well-established legacy of outstanding local news and service to the community,” said  Wilkinson. “Throughout her career, Mitzi has developed a variety of unique and innovative sales, marketing, and sponsorship opportunities for clients and spearheaded the development of new business for both linear and digital platforms. I am looking forward to working with Mitzi as she takes on this new role. Roger has done a tremendous job leading WTRF-TV since it was acquired by Nexstar in 2016, and we wish him well in his retirement.”