Changes Atop WFLA as Media General Shakes Up Tampa Leadership

By Andrew Gauthier 

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.

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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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