A 35-year veteran of local broadcast television since November 2017 has served as VP/GM of Cox Media Group‘s CBS affiliate in Jacksonville — along with the FOX affiliate it operates via a shared services agreement.
On December 31, he’ll officially retire from the industry.
This puts the wheels in motion on selecting the successor to Bob Longo at WJAX-47.
Longo also oversees WFOX-30, owned by Hoffman Communications.
Longo ascended to the top slot at WFOX and WJAX in 2017, following a nearly four-year run as News Director for “Action News,” seen across both stations. He arrived on Florida’s “First Coast” in 2014 after serving as ND for WESH-2 in Orlando and, prior to that WTAE-4 in Pittsburgh. Those roles totaled 15 years within Hearst Television.
Other roles include serving as ND of WKBW-7 in Buffalo from 1996-1999, and as ND of WBNG-12 in Binghamton, N.Y., from November 1993-July 1995.
“Bob has been successful at every stop because he’s a personable and engaged leader with an unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and financial performance,” said Cox Media Group President/CEO Dan York. “He’s consistently brought passion to serving his local communities and has been an ardent advocate for the value of local news and investigative journalism. While we’re happy for him, we’re going to miss Bob’s optimism and leadership.”
Longo commented, “I’m proud of the difference we’ve made across Jacksonville and for the viewers we serve. It’s been an honor to play a role in informing, entertaining, and elevating our audiences.”
Longo will continue living in Jacksonville with his wife, Laurie, and will remain a part of the media community. He plans to develop a podcast, write a novel or two, travel with his wife, and spend time with family and friends, CMG says.
Bob Longo holds a B.A. in Journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University (now Utica University).
