Starting Monday, the owner of broadcast TV stations in Jacksonville, Houston, Roanoke-Lynchburg, San Antonio, Orlando and its home market of Detroit will have a new VP of News.
Taking the role is the former SVP of Local News at The E.W. Scripps Co.
Now leading news efforts across Graham Media Group‘s stations in six markets is Sean McLaughlin.
McLaughlin will serve as Vice President of News for Graham Media’s local media hubs. He brings more than two decades of experience to the company led by President/CEO Catherine Badalamente.
At Scripps, which is undergoing a significant transformation within its local news operations that has seen management reduction-in-force initiatives alongside greater inclusion of Scripps News reports in local newscasts in some markets, McLaughlin maintained oversight of news operations across 41 markets.
McLaughlin also worked closely with Scripps’ stations to develop customized content utilizing research and data to better engage audiences on broadcast, streaming, digital and social media.
Come Monday, that experience will fuel Detroit’s WDIV “LOCAL 4,” the GMG flagship that has a dominant position in the market, as well as WSLS-10 in Roanoke; WKMG-6 in Orlando; WJXT-4 and WCWJ-17 in Jacksonville; KSAT-12 in San Antonio; and KPRC-2 in Houston.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sean and his wealth of expertise in local news,” said Badalamente. “His forward-thinking approach and track record of success will be invaluable as we continue evolving to meet the changing needs of our audiences, employees, and communities.”
Prior to Scripps, McLaughlin spent over six years as Executive News Director and Creative
Services Director at KMOV-4 in St. Louis prior to its Meredith Local Media ownership and under Belo Corp. ownership, from July 2007 through February 2014. He also served as News Director for KTUL-TV in Tulsa under Allbritton ownership from October 2005-May 2007, and at then-Clear Channel owned KOKI “FOX 23” in Tulsa from September 2001 until joining KTUL. He began his career as a weekend anchor and reporter at KAAL-6 in Rochester, Minn., in August 1994.
“I’m excited to join the exceptional team at Graham Media Group at such a transformative
time in our industry,” said McLaughlin. “I look forward to working alongside the talented
journalists and facilitating innovative reporting and storytelling to best serve our local
communities.”
