Audra Swain Named WJZ Baltimore VP-GM

Audra Swain today was appointed vice president and general manager of CBS-owned WJZ Baltimore (DMA 26). Swain is succeeding Jay Newman, who will be retiring from the station at the end of September following 19 years with WJZ and 34 years with CBS.

Swain, who has 15 years of experience in station management, has most recently been GM of KSNV-KVCW Las Vegas since 2010. She joined the duopoly seven years ago as GM of KVCW, then was promoted to serve as general manager of both stations in 2014. 

Swain gained her first TV management experience in Baltimore, where she spent two years as local sales manager for the market’s Fox affiliate, WBFF. Her parents and other family members continue to live near Baltimore. Also, Swain is a proud Baltimore Ravens season ticketholder.

“Audra comes to us with an impressive track record of success everywhere she has been,” said Peter Dunn, president, CBS Television Stations. “WJZ is one of the crown jewels of our station group and we look forward to having her come home and provide leadership to our terrific team in Baltimore.”

Swain’s background also includes serving as director of sales for the ABC and MyNetwork TV stations in Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville, N.C. She has also worked as an account executive for WPMT Harrisburg, Pa.; and WJBF Augusta, Ga.

Swain, who attended Penn State University, began her broadcast career in 1997 in the news department at WJBF Augusta as both webmaster and assignment desk editor.