Larry Cottrill Appointed VP-GM Of WCMH Columbus

Nexstar Media Group today promoted Larry Cottrill to vice president and general manager of its NBC affiliate WCMH Columbus, Ohio (DMA 32), and nbc4i.com, and their related mobile apps and social media channels.

Cottrill is taking over for Ken Freedman, who is retiring after serving as WCMH’s VP-GM since 2017 and a 44-year career in broadcasting. Cottrill will begin his new duties on Aug. 7, and report to Brandin Stewart, Nexstar SVP-regional manager.

Cottrill has led Nexstar’s ABC affiliate WRIC Richmond, Va., since its acquisition by Nexstar in 2017, and, the company said, “he has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow ratings, sales, revenue, and profitability. Cottrill oversaw the successful integration of WRIC-TV’s operation into Nexstar and directed the consolidation and realignment of station operations. He and his team expanded local news coverage by seven hours per week and launched WRIC-TV’s first news bureau in the state capital.”

During his tenure, WRIC was recognized with 10 Edward R. Murrow regional awards for Excellence in Journalism, including three for Overall Excellence. Cottrill also spearheaded the creation of several unique sponsorships for advertisers, including “Positively Richmond,” highlighting local small businesses in the community, and the “Gift of Light” campaign, designed to help needy children gain access to optometrists and affordable eyewear.

Prior to WRIC, Cottrill served in various professional capacities at WOWK Charleston-Huntington, W.Va.; WTRF Wheeling, W.Va.-Steubenville, Ohio; WVNS Bl;uefield, W.Va.; and WBOY Clarksburg, W.Va., where he was integral to the successful negotiation of broadcast and content rights for West Virginia University (WVU) sports, bringing various sports programming for the WVU Mountaineers to viewers across the state of West Virginia.

Earlier in his career, he was GM of West Virginia Radio Corp. and key account manager for Rutter Communications. His past experience also includes joint ownership of Cava & Banko, an accounting and consulting firm in Bridgeport, W.Va.

“Larry is a great choice to succeed Ken as Vice President and General Manager of our Columbus media properties,” Stewart said. “He is extremely familiar with Nexstar, our multiplatform business model and our strategies for growth and service to the community. He’s done a great job at WRIC-TV, has been successful everywhere he’s been, and instinctively knows how to connect with viewers, advertisers and the community. I am looking forward to working with Larry in this new role and to continuing to burnish the reputation and legacy of NBC4. Ken has been a great leader for WCMH-TV, and an outstanding leader in the greater Columbus community—we wish him well in his retirement.”

Cottrill graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in elementary education.