Jim Burke, president of ad sales for Fox Television Stations, has just announced he will retire at the end of July. Burke has been in this role since 1997 and has worked with the Fox Television Stations since 1991.
“After 43 years in local broadcast sales, 32 of which have been with Fox Television Stations, I have decided to retire. My time here at FTS has been rewarding and working with such a talented group of people has been a true privilege,” said Burke. “I’m thankful to Jack Abernethy for all his support over the years and although I look forward to this next chapter, I will sincerely miss all of the incredible relationships I have made during my tenure.”
“Over the past 32 years, Jim Burke has been responsible for billions of dollars of local sales, probably more than anyone else in the history of local TV. During his extraordinary career here at FOX, Jim has earned the trust and admiration of his colleagues and led a meritocracy with a training program that has produced countless General Managers and sales executives,” said Jack Abernethy, chief executive officer of Fox Television Stations.
Jim Burke has spent 43 years in local broadcast sales, 32 of which have been with the Fox Television Stations (FTS). He has been president of sales at FTS since 1997. Before that, Burke served as the vice president and general manager of the Fox-owned duopoly in Los Angeles, KTTV and KCOP. He’s also worked as general sales manager at the Fox-owned duopoly in Washington, D.C. WTTG and WDCA and was promoted to vp and general manager. Previously, Burke has also worked as local sales Manager, general sales manager, and director of sales for KCBS in Los Angeles and CBS National Sales in New York City. He began his career in broadcasting working for Blair TV NYC in Research and as an Account Executive.
In October 2002, he created the Fox Stations Sales training program with Joe Oulvey and Liz Pritchard resulting in over 80 people transitioning into permanent sales roles with Fox, many into senior leadership positions. In February 2021, Burke launched Fox Local Extension (FLX) with Michael Page and Tom Fleming to jumpstart Fox Local digital sales efforts.