Sinclair Names New Sales Exec, WJLA GM

Sinclair Broadcast Group has promoted Dan Mellon has been promoted to vice president of sales transformation from his previous role as group manager and general manager of its ABC affiliate WJLA and NewsChannel 8 in Washington (DMA 7). The company also announced that Mellon will be succeeded in Washington by Michael Miller.

Mellon will report to Chief Revenue Officer Rob Weisbord and will be leading the company’s comprehensive sales strategy.

“We are proud to be promoting Mr. Mellon to this new role.” Weisbord said. “Dan will help drive revenue by working with technology partners in implementing those technologies. Key areas are CRM, yield management, addressable ads, along with planning and processes at the station level. Dan has extensive broadcast operations, sales and financial experience, and we are excited to provide him the opportunity to bring those learnings to effect change on a companywide level. As Sinclair evolves, we will need our sales strategy and technology to evolve as well, and we are confident that Dan will do a fantastic job leading this change.”

Steve Marks, EVP and chief operating officer of Sinclair’s television group, said: “We’re happy to be welcoming Michael to the Sinclair family to replace Dan as WJLA’s general manager. He brings 30 years of broadcast and cable advertising experience across various Mid-Atlantic markets. We are confident in his leadership and results capabilities, especially for our largest market.”

Mellon has been group manager of Sinclair’s stations since 2006 and general manager of WJLA and NewsChannel 8 in Washington since 2014. From 2005 to 2006, he was GM for Sinclair’s WSYX Columbus, Ohio, and was responsible for the oversight of WTTE there, which is programmed by Sinclair under a local marketing agreement. He also oversaw the sales and other non-programming related services of WWHO, pursuant to a joint sales and shared services agreement.

Prior to that, he was GM of KOVR Sacramento, Calif., a station Sinclair owned from 2001 to 2005. From 1998 to 2001, he was GM of WUCW, Sinclair’s CW affiliate in Minneapolis. From 1994 to 1998, Mellon was director of sales and as national sales manager for various CBS television station groups.

Prior to that and since 1985, Mellon worked for several companies where he was sales manager and account executive.

Mellon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pace University in New York.

Miller recently was regional vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Region for Comcast Spotlight, which he joined in May 2006 as VP-GM for the Washington market. Prior to joining Comcast, Miller was VP of Sales for WRC Washington and local and national sales manager for WUSA Washington. He was also general manager/general sales manager for WUTB Baltimore

Miller has a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Maryland.