Media General Names McCarus Chief Strategy Officer, Extends Affiliate Agreements

Media General has tapped John McCarus as chief strategy officer for its digital media business. The company operates or services 71 television stations in 48 markets.

McCarus' charge includes working with LIN Digital, LIN Mobile, Federated Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media to enhance Media General’s cross-screen video, earned and paid media distribution and content marketing.

The hire follows the recent Media General merger with LIN Media.

The new strategy chief will report to Robb Richter, Media General’s senior vice president and chief digital officer. Richter touted McCarus’ “creative thinking, production expertise and strong relationships with Fortune 500 brands and emerging technology partners” as key tools to ensure future digital success.

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Prior to joining Media General, McCarus was senior vice president, social content at DigitasLBi, a global marketing and technology agency. He also founded the Digital Content NewFronts, now an industrywide marketplace for original digital video managed by the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

Separately, CW, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS, and Media General announced long-term network affiliation agreements in 16 markets nationwide. The markets vary in size and include KNVA-TV in Austin, Texas; KWBQ-TV in Albuquerque, NM; WNLO-TV in Buffalo, NY; WCBD-DT2 in Charleston, SC; WFNA-TV in Mobile, AL and KHON-DT2 in Honolulu, HI.

“The CW has been a longstanding and valued partner for many years, and we are pleased to continue building upon our relationship,” stated Vincent L. Sadusky, president and chief executive officer, Media General. “We are particularly excited about our new agreement for WISH-TV and launching the CW on our digital channels in Springfield, MA and Hattiesburg, MS.”

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