Changes Atop WFLA as Media General Shakes Up Tampa Leadership

Media General has named John Cottingham interim general manager of WFLA as part of a series of personnel changes connected to the Tampa NBC-affiliate and its news partner The Tampa Tribune.

Citing a Tampa economy that has seemingly plateaued, John Schauss, vice president of Media General market operations, today announced that the company is moving a number of executives out of its Tampa-based Florida division.  According to The Tampa Tribune, those leaving Tampa are John Schueler, president of the Florida division; Denise Palmer, vice president of news; and Cathy Helean, vice president of marketing.

Along with tapping Cottingham to oversee WFLA, Media General named Terry Jamerson interim publisher of The Tampa Tribune.

Cottingham has spent the last several years overseeing the operations of Media General stations.  He currently serves as president of the company’s Mid-South division, which includes stations in Charleston, Birmingham, and Mobile-Pensacola.

The Tampa Tribune reports that layoffs are expected in Tampa, although Media General has not said how many people will be affected or when the staff reductions will occur.

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