John Soapes The New GM Of WESH-WKCF

John R. Soapes today was named president and general manager of WESH and WKCF, the Hearst Television NBC and CW affiliates, respectively in Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne, Fla. (DMA 19). He previously served for five years as president-GM of Hearst’s WYFF Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville, S.C.

The appointment, effective July 1, marks a return for Soapes to Central Florida, where he served for 10 years as WKCF’s general sales manager.

Soapes succeeds James Carter, who is retiring after a career spanning more than four decades in radio and television.  His successor at WYFF will be announced at a later date.

During Soapes’ tenure at WYFF, the station has been recognized with three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards – one for Overall Excellence – from the Radio Television Digital News Association; two regional AP awards for Outstanding News Operation; 12 Southeast Region Emmy Awards; a National Headliner Award, from Press Club of Atlantic City; and Station of the Year honors from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association and South Carolina AP.

Soapes served as WKCF-TV’s General Sales Manager from 2001 to 2011. Hearst acquired the station, from Emmis Communications, in 2006, forming a duopoly with Hearst’s WESH. While he was there, WKCF received the APEX Award from The CW as the network’s “Model Affiliate of the Year,” based on “the quality and involvement of all aspects of television operations” including sales and advertiser ventures. 

Previously, Soapes had served as WKCF’s local sales manager. He began his career as an account executive at WTAT Charleston, S.C., moving on to Blair Television’s Atlanta office, also as an account executive, prior to joining WKCF.

He attended the University of South Carolina at Columbia, where he played on the football team.