TYSONS, Va. - TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:TGNA) has named Christopher Franklin as the new president and general manager of its Memphis, Tennessee television duo, WATN and WLMT, with immediate effect. Franklin, who has more than 25 years in the media and marketing sector, ascends from his interim GM role that began earlier this year.
Franklin's responsibilities will encompass the management of station operations across all platforms, community outreach, and driving advertising results. His previous role as marketing director at WATN/WLMT saw him build the stations' brands and oversee marketing for seven markets within TEGNA's network. He also contributed to the ABC Network (LON:NETW) Marketing Advisory Board and recently joined the NATAS Midsouth Board of Governors.
Paul Trelstad, senior vice president of media operations at TEGNA, commended Franklin's management style and passion for Memphis, asserting that these qualities align with the stations' "Solution Seekers" ethos and make him well-suited to lead the stations forward.
Franklin expressed his excitement about the role, emphasizing his commitment to staff development and community engagement in Memphis. He highlighted the importance of contact with the community in building business and community relationships.
His career includes leadership roles at FOX television stations, Guardsmark, and Hope Church, where he notably contributed to the church's growth and established the Inspire Media Conference. Franklin's work has earned him multiple industry accolades, including Promax, Midsouth Regional Emmy®, and PRSA VOX awards.
A Fisk University graduate, Franklin's personal interests include one-minute chess games, outdoor activities, and valuing family time with his wife, daughter, and nieces.
TEGNA, the parent company, is known for its extensive reach with 64 television stations across 51 U.S. markets and its ownership of multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest, as well as the OTT advertising service Premion.
This announcement is based on a press release statement.
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