• by Wayne Friedman , December 14, 2009

There's more restructuring at the Tribune Company. Tribune Broadcasting has promoted Jerry Kersting as its chief operating officer. Kersting had been executive vice president, coming to Tribune in April 2008.

Kersting continues to report to Tribune Broadcasting president Ed Wilson, who will be freed up to push for more revenue and sales efforts for the company. Wilson has headed up Tribune Broadcasting since 2008; he recently added the title chief revenue officer at Tribune Co.

Kersting has been working with Wilson over the past year in restructuring Tribune stations. Tribune owns 23 television stations in markets including New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Seattle.

"This new role will allow us to build our stations into local market leaders through expanded news content, more vibrant Internet sites, and by growing revenue," he stated, "as we continue developing unique solutions for our advertisers."

Kersting says much of Tribune Broadcasting's efforts will be to expand news programming and build more local programming. He notes that next fall, WGN America will debut some major programs.

Prior to joining Tribune, Kersting was chief financial officer for the radio division of Clear Channel Communications.

Earlier this month, Sam Zell, the real-estate mogul who took Tribune Co. private and was then forced to enter bankruptcy protection, stepped down from his post at chief executive officer of The Tribune Co.

Tribune's chief operating officer, Randy Michaels, has taken over as chief executive, with Zell remaining as chairman. Michaels will also join the board.