Rich Graziano has been named president and general manager of WPIX, Tribune’s CW affiliate in New York City. His appointment is effective immediately.
It is a move within Tribune for Graziano, who previously led the company’s Hartford properties. He has been president and general manager of WTIC and WCCT since 2005 and publisher, president and CEO of The Hartford Courant since 2009.
At WPIX, he replaces Eric Meyrowitz, who left the station last week.
“Rich is a skilled and innovative leader who has achieved great success in managing large-scale media operations and delivering results for viewers, advertisers and the community,” Tribune president of broadcast media Larry Wert said in a statement. “We’ve made a number of changes at WPIX, both on-the-air and in the management ranks—the station is gaining momentum. Rich is the perfect addition to lead the new team we’ve assembled.”
More from Tribune after the jump.
CHICAGO, Nov. 18, 2013—Tribune Company today announced the appointment of Rich Graziano as President/General Manager of WPIX-TV (PIX11) in New York City. Graziano will be responsible for all aspects of the station, including strategic planning and day-to-day operations. He will begin his new duties immediately and report to Larry Wert, Tribune’s President of Broadcast Media.
Since 2009, Graziano has served as the leader of Tribune’s media properties in Hartford, Connecticut; he was named Vice President/General Manager of WTIC-TV (FOXCT) and WCCT-TV (CT) in June 2005, and Publisher, President and CEO of the Hartford Courant in March 2009. Graziano led the co-location of the television stations and newspaper operations that same year, creating an integrated news organization unlike any other in the country. Graziano succeeds Eric Meyrowitz, who is departing Tribune.
“Rich is a skilled and innovative leader who has achieved great success in managing large-scale media operations and delivering results for viewers, advertisers and the community,” said Wert. “We’ve made a number of changes at WPIX, both on-the-air and in the management ranks—the station is gaining momentum. Rich is the perfect addition to lead the new team we’ve assembled.”
Graziano was a catalyst for change in Hartford, committed to developing the kind of local content, community events and multi-platform journalism that resulted in unrivaled growth in ratings and revenue. He brings 23 years of media experience to WPIX-TV and has served in positions of increasing responsibility at a number of Tribune television stations. He joined Tribune in 1999 as national sales manager at WLVI-TV in Boston. He was named WLVI’s general sales manager in 2001, a position he held for four years prior to joining WTIC/WCCT in Hartford.
“WPIX is an iconic brand. The station has a distinct history and a wonderful legacy in New York,” said Graziano. “I see tremendous opportunity to lead WPIX to excellence, through hard work, innovation, and by creating value for our viewers and advertising partners.”
Graziano has received numerous awards from organizations for his dedication to helping children and families in Connecticut, including Camp Courant, Interval House and the Muscular Dystrophy Association – which named him Humanitarian of the Year. A native of Somerville, Mass., Graziano, 44, holds a B.S. in business management from Boston College.