Scripps has promoted station manager Merri Hanson to vp and general manager of KIVI, the ABC affiliate in Boise, Idaho. She will replace longtime general manager Ken Ritchie, who’s retiring at the end of the year after 40 years in the business.
“We look forward to Merri stepping into this new leadership role as she enters the next chapter in her Scripps career,” local media president Brian Lawlor said. “Her decades of experience from journalist to business executive make her a great fit to lead KIVI as it serves the Boise community.”
Hanson has more than 25 years of broadcast sales experience. She had been general manager of KIVI since 2016. Prior to coming to Idaho, she was the vice president of business development with Steveson Strategies in Seattle.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the phenomenal group of people at Idaho News 6,” Hanson said. “During a time when our community has been challenged due to the pandemic, I am proud of how our people have come together, worked tirelessly to keep the public informed, created opportunities for businesses and helped organizations who work with the most vulnerable in our community. Our culture is as strong as ever, and I look forward to the things we will accomplish together.”
Hanson starts Jan. 1.