Melissa Jones Named VP-GM Of WDTN Dayton

Nexstar Media’s NBC affiliate WDTN Dayton, Ohio, today appointed Melissa Jones to vice president and general manager. She will also be responsible for overseeing Nexstar’s relationship with Vaughn Media’s WBDT, Dayton’s CW, under two joint operating agreements.

Jones assumes the position from Joe Abouzeid, who was named VP-GM of Nexstar’s Buffalo media operations in May. She will begin her duties on July 20, and report to Doug Davis, senior vice president and regional manager for the broadcasting division of Nexstar Media Inc.

Jones brings nearly 15 years of local broadcast management, sales and marketing experience to her new role at Nexstar. Since 2019, she has been director of sales for Nexstar’s WTEN and for Mission Broadcasting’s WXXA, in Albany, N.Y., overseeing long-term sales and marketing strategy, day-to-day sales operations and client relationships.

Jones began her career in local broadcasting at WTEN in 2008 as an assistant assignment editor, moving into sales the following year, and rising through the ranks to lead all broadcast and digital sales efforts for WTEN and WXXA.

Nexstar said that during her tenure, Jones and her team “consistently demonstrated the ability to grow annual sales revenue for both television stations through a variety of unique, innovative, cross-platform solutions for advertisers. She has a proven record of success, driving significant increases in local, national and digital sales over the last 11 years, while generating significant local market share growth from 2011 to 2019.

“Under Mrs. Jones’ leadership, WTEN and WXXA have expanded their local and regional client relationships and grown new direct advertising business by more than 300 percent since 2017.”

Jones also spearheaded the creation and development of several community sponsorships during her time at WTEN and WXXA, including the annual Fall “Coats for Kids” campaign and the “News10 Backpack Giveaway,” which distributes more than 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies each school year.

Jones also played a key role in deepening the existing exclusive partnership between WTEN, the New York Racing Association, and Saratoga Race Course, raising awareness for one of the region’s most important commercial enterprises and resulting in substantial broadcast and digital advertising revenue.

“Melissa’s success and commitment make her the ideal choice to lead our media businesses in Dayton,” said Mr. Davis. “She is an innovative and experienced executive who understands how to connect with local viewers and advertisers and build community relationships. Importantly, Melissa is an engaged leader who enjoys and is adept at collaborating with all departments in achieving strategic goals. This has led to her superb tenure in Albany and I look forward to continued successes under Melissa’s leadership with our terrific team in Dayton.”

Jones is a member of The Alliance for Women in Media and serves on the Futures Committee of the New York State Broadcasters Association, which actively seeks to bring new and emerging talent into the broadcasting industry.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in TV, radio and film communications from Marist College, where she minored in business administration.