Revenues for Meredith’s Local Media Group rose 10 percent to $85 million in the first quarter of 2013. Operating profit was $24 million compared to $23 million during the year-ago quarter.

“We’re pleased to have delivered another quarter of revenue and operating profit growth,” said Local Media Group president Paul Karpowicz said in a statement.

Non-political advertising revenues were $66 million, a slight decrease on the prior-year period. Political revenues were also down, as is expected in a non-election year. Growth was strong in the automotive, retail and furnishings categories. The company also reported an increase in other revenues and operating expenses due to growth in retransmission revenues.

Meredith Corporation’s Local Media Group has announced record growth in revenue and operating profit for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2013.

For the first six months of fiscal 2013, revenue for the company’s local media group rose nearly 30 percent to $198 million while operating profit rose nearly 90 percent to $72 million.

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“We continued to excel at our goal of delivering compelling content to viewers across broadcast, digital and mobile media platforms,” said Local Media Group president Paul Karpowicz.  “At the same time, we did a great job monetizing the strength of our audience, as local over-the-air television once again demonstrated its unique ability to build brands and deliver unmatched results for advertising clients.” Read more

Meredith Local Media Group has announced changes to the general manager position at two of its stations.

Darrin McDonald will move from vice president and general manager of Las Vegas Fox affiliate KVVU to vice president and general manager of the Kansas City duopoly KCTV-KSMO.  Taking McDonald’s place in Las Vegas will be Todd Brown, who was promoted from general sales manager at KVVU.  McDonald fills the vacancy left by the departure of Robert Totsch in October.

“Darrin has been a great leader at KVVU and will use his skills and expertise to build upon our presence in the Kansas City market,” said Paul Karpowicz, president of the Local Media Group.  “Todd is well poised to be successful as he steps into his new role at KVVU, and will be an asset to our group’s leadership team.” Read more

Meredith Corporation reported a +26% increase in local media group revenues for the fiscal first quarter of 2013, the company announced Thursday.

Net political advertising revenues were $12 million, a record high for a fiscal first quarter. Non-political advertising revenues increased +5%. All of Meredith’s markets grew in both revenues and operating profit.

“We are focused on keeping the momentum going in non-political advertising revenues, along with maximizing our political advertising opportunity this election cycle,” Local Media Group president Paul Karpowicz said in  a statement. Read more

Meredith today reported its fiscal 2012 third quarter earnings, announcing a 10% increase in total revenue during the period for its local media group, which consists of 12 stations around the country, including WGCL in Atlanta and KPHO in Phoenix.

Meredith’s local media group brought in $78 million during the period, with a 5% rise in non-political advertising revenue and a 70% increase in digital advertising.

“Our Local Media group is doing an excellent job of increasing ratings and translating them into advertising revenues, consistently ranking us among the leading station groups in advertising revenue gains,” Meredith local media group president Paul Karpowicz said in a statement. Read more

Doreen Wade has been named vice president and general manager of Nashville’s WSMV. Meredith, which owns the NBC-affiliate, announced today that Wade would succeed longtime station boss Elden Hale, who’s retiring this month.

“Doreen possesses extensive local experience and a successful track record in broadcasting management. She is a loyal and committed leader, and I have no doubt that she will mesh well with our dedicated employees at WSMV,” said Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith’s Local Media Group, in announcing the move.

Most recently Wade served as president of Freedom Broadcasting, which owns eight stations across the country including West Palm Beach’s WPEC, where she previously worked as vice president and GM.

“WSMV-TV has a long history of strong ratings and service to the people of Mid-Tennessee,” said Wade. “I look forward to continuing this legacy.”

Meredith Corp. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to manage the day-to-day operations of Atlanta’s WPCH, known popularly as Peachtree TV.

Meredith, which owns Atlanta CBS-affiliate WGCL, will begin managing the Turner Broadcasting-owned independent station by the end of 2011′s first quarter. The plan is for WGCL to oversee WPCH’s operations, including advertising sales and marketing.

“This strategic partnership provides our advertisers new and innovative ways to reach their target audiences and will generate additional local advertising revenues for both stations,” said Paul Karpowicz, president of the Meredith Local Media Group.

Peachtree TV launched in 2007 and is probably best known to local viewers for its sports coverage, including Atlanta Braves baseball games.

Peachtree employees will be given the opportunity to interview for positions with Meredith. Read more