Bassler To Lead WWNY-WNYF Watertown

United Communications Corp. on Friday named Ed Bassler general manager of its duopoly of WWNY (CBS)-WNYF (Fox) in Watertown, N.Y. (DMA 177).

Bassler will succeed Cathy M. Pircsuk, who announced in January that she would retire mid-year. Bassler begins at the station on Monday, June 29.

Most recently, Bassler has been VP of sales for WBBZ Buffalo, N.Y. He is a native of Cazenovia, N.Y., who began his television career in production at Buffalo’s WIVB and WKBW.

United Communications President Lucy Brown said Bassler’s professional accomplishments and broadcasting commitment will dovetail well with the staff at the Watertown stations. “Ed has made a career of ‘rolling up his sleeves’ and bringing out the best in local station talent,” she said. “We believe he will carry on important projects in progress at WWNY and WNYF with a sense of community commitment for which the stations have been known.”

Bassler said his 14 years in television sales and sales management in upstate New York has helped him understand the regional opportunities and challenges. Community television has long been important to Bassler. “The future of broadcasting is local. It’s true of sales, news, promotion and community outreach.”

Bassler previously was an account executive for WUHF Rochester, N.Y. He also has sales experience at WSTM Syracuse, N.Y., and WTNH New Haven, Conn. At WCTX New Haven, Bassler also worked as national and local sales manager and, later, as station manager. In 2004, he returned to Buffalo at WIVB and WNLO.

Pircsuk, a Watertown native, started at the station as a reporter in 1979. She became the station’s top manager in 1996. She had progressed as a news anchor, assignment editor, news director and station manager. Pircsuk’s 36-year career with WWNY spans almost two-thirds of the station’s 60-year history.