CBS News & Sports president Sean McManus announced the hiring of Jeff Ballabon as SVP of Communications for CBS News. Ballabon takes over for Sandy Genelius who left CBS for Sony last fall.
McManus writes to the staff, “Jeff will oversee all media relations and public affairs for CBS News, including strategy and planning, day-to-day publicity, internal and external communications, and coordination with CBS Interactive regarding CBSNews.com.”
Ballabon previously served as EVP at Primedia Television and before that held positions at Films Media Group, Channel One News and Court TV. He left Primedia to found Ballabon Group, a public-affairs consultancy. On the Ballabon Group Website, there is a list of testimonials, including this one from G. Gordon Liddy: “When Jeff Ballabon tells you he can do something, consider it done, and done well.”
McManus’ note to the staff is after the jump…
Gil Schwartz and I are pleased to announce that Jeff Ballabon has been named Senior Vice President, Communications, CBS News. He will begin February 23. In this position, Jeff will oversee all media relations and public affairs for CBS News, including strategy and planning, day-to-day publicity, internal and external communications, and coordination with CBS Interactive regarding CBSNews.com. Jeff is a proven communications executive who appreciates that success in the news business demands uncompromising integrity and credibility combined with reach, accessibility and customization. We are excited that he is coming on board at a time when CBS News increasingly is being recognized for excellence.
Previously, he served as Executive Vice President at Primedia Television and at Films Media Group, as well as Channel One News. Prior to his Primedia position, Jeff was Senior Vice President, Network Affairs for Court TV. Jeff has also worked as an attorney in private practice and on Capitol Hill, where he was legislative counsel to U.S. Senator John C. Danforth (R-MO) and a professional staffer on the Senate Commerce Committee. He left Primedia to found Ballabon Group, a public-affairs consultancy, where he continued to serve Primedia, Channel One News and numerous other media and business clients and causes. He also served as the New York City affiliate of The Livingston Group, a major Washington, D.C. government relations firm. Jeff has advised presidential candidates and campaigns, members of the U.S. Congress, corporations, charitable organizations and international non-governmental organizations.
Jeff has been active in a number of media and public-policy organizations and holds a degree in English Literature from Yeshiva University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Please join me in welcoming Jeff to CBS News.