Steven Blanchard has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Nexstar’s broadcasting and digital operations in Richmond, Va., including ABC affiliate WRIC, wric.com, and related digital and social media channels.
“Steven is a great choice to lead Nexstar’s broadcast and digital operations in Richmond,” said Brandin Stewart, svp and regional manager for Nexstar’s broadcasting division. “He is extremely familiar with Nexstar, our multiplatform business model, and our strategies for growth and service to the community. He’s done an outstanding job overseeing sales in the Tampa market, has been successful everywhere he’s been, and instinctively knows how to connect with viewers, advertisers and the community. I am looking forward to working with Steven in this new role.”
Since 2013, Blanchard has served as director of sales for WFLA, WTTA and WSNN, Nexstar’s media properties serving Florida’s Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota market. From 2011 to 2013, Blanchard served as general sales manager at WNCN in Raleigh, N.C., where he was responsible for all sales operations across multiple platforms and drove consistent increases in revenue share. Before WNCN, Blanchard served in a variety of broadcast sales positions, beginning as a regional national sales manager based at WCBD in Charleston, S.C., then as a sales manager at WSAV in Savannah, Ga., and later becoming director of revenue for WSAV in 2010. He started his career in sales as an account executive at WMOR in Tampa.
“I’m grateful to Nexstar for this promotion and excited to be joining the team at WRIC-TV,” said Blanchard. “This is a great television station with a rich history, and when you combine it with Nexstar’s commitment to local content and the unique and innovative cross-platform advertising solutions offered to its viewers and clients, the result gives us a distinct advantage over our competitors. I see a lot of opportunity for growth ahead.”