Killian Named WGN America Marketing VP

Nexstar’s WGN America today appointed Jonathan Killian vice president, creative marketing and brand communications. Killian joins Nexstar from CNN International, where he was executive director of creative and brand development, overseeing the network’s on-air presentation and coordinating global marketing/programming strategy.

In this newly created role, Killian will oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive brand marketing strategy for WGN America and assume responsibility for the network’s promotions, creative and marketing departments. WGN America is the home of NewsNation, a live unbiased national newscast airing in primetime every night. Killian assumes his new role on January 25, reporting to Sean Compton, Nexstar Inc.’s Networks Division president.

During his 13-year tenure at CNNI, Killian was instrumental in the relaunch of the network’s positioning, the revamp of the network’s on-air presentation and the launch of more than two dozen prime-time on-air programs. He was also responsible for the re-positioning and creative on-air transformation of CNN en Español and consulted on creative overhauls and network launches in the Philippines, Turkey, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Brazil.

While at CNNI,  Killian helped build the CNN Academy, facilitating CNNI’s training and consulting programs around the world. Killian also recently served as executive project manager for the move of CNN International’s bureau in London, overseeing operations and the design and build-out of its new multimillion-dollar studios.

The recipient of 10 regional Emmy Awards, Killian began his media career in local television and has served as a creative director, writer, producer and editor in multiple major U.S. television markets, including Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Cincinnati; and Cleveland. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in telecommunication and film from The University of Alabama and an M.B.A. from Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia.