Paul Rennie has been named vice president and general manager of WXIN-WTTV, the Fox and CW affiliates in Indianapolis. It is a move within Tribune for Rennie, who has been general sales manager of KCPQ-KZJO in Seattle since 2004.
“Paul brings significant industry experience, including time spent in Indy, and he understands the variety of opportunities and challenges generated by a major-market duopoly,” Tribune president of broadcast media Larry Wert said in a statement. “He is a strategic and innovative thinker whom people trust and enjoy—Paul is the perfect fit for Indy.”
Before joining Tribune, Rennie oversaw the sales department for WRTV, the ABC affiliate in Indianapolis. At WXIN, he replaces Larry Delia, who joined rival WTHR earlier this year.
“I’m happy to be returning to Indianapolis, which is a great market that offers a lot of opportunity,” Rennie said. More in Tribune’s official announcement after the jump.
CHICAGO, Aug. 21, 2013 — Tribune Company today announced that Paul Rennie has been named as Vice President/General Manager of the company’s Indianapolis television stations, WTTV-TV and WXIN-TV. Since 2004, Rennie has served as general sales manager for Tribune’s Seattle television stations, KCPQ-TV and KZJO-TV, and their respective digital operations; he previously worked in the Indianapolis market as general sales manager at WRTV-TV. Rennie will report to Larry Wert, Tribune’s President/Broadcast Media, and assume his new duties effective immediately.
“Paul brings significant industry experience, including time spent in Indy, and he understands the variety of opportunities and challenges generated by a major-market duopoly,” said Wert. “He is a strategic and innovative thinker whom people trust and enjoy—Paul is the perfect fit for Indy.”
As general sales manager for Tribune’s Seattle television duopoly, Rennie was responsible for sales strategy, day-to-day execution and personnel. Under his leadership, KCPQ-TV increased market share, maximized the development of new business and consistently exceeded revenue goals. He consistently introduced new media opportunities into the sales mix and took the lead role in developing a strategic partnership with the Seattle Seahawks.
“I’m happy to be returning to Indianapolis, which is a great market that offers a lot of opportunity,” said Rennie. “These are solid stations with great staffs and a legacy of serving the community with outstanding local news and programming—and, of course, we have the Colts about to kick-off the regular season with a shot at the Super Bowl—now that’s exciting.”
Prior to his work at Tribune’s Seattle television stations, Rennie headed sales for WRTV-TV in Indianapolis for two years, managing and selling across a multimedia platform that included not only the television station, but a cable news channel and website, as well.
Before joining WRTV-TV, Rennie held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in local and national broadcast sales. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications in 1985.