Hearst Television Ups Lustgarten To Tech SVP

Alvin R. Lustgarten, who has served as Hearst Television’s vice president, technology and information services since 2001, has been promoted to senior vice president, technology and information services.

Lustgarten oversees the company’s technology and information services as well as back-office advertising support operations. Also, Lustgarten provides strategic leadership for many of the company’s new-technology initiatives, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics efforts.  He has played a critical role in overseeing Hearst Television’s cloud transformation and leads all aspects of its information security program.

“Al has been a longtime stalwart, not just for Hearst Television but for the broadcast television industry in its ongoing efforts to evolve its operations and improve the customer experience,” said Jordan Wertlieb, Hearst Television president. “His voice and expertise are key resources in our industry’s ongoing efforts to meet the challenges posed by technological change and growing competition.”

John Drain, Hearst Television chief financial officer, added: “A transformational leader, Al has advanced Hearst Television’s back-office ad operations, data management and information technology capabilities from legacy practices to contemporary, innovative services.”

Before Hearst Television, Lustgarten served in finance, accounting, and technology positions within parent company Hearst and Hearst Magazines, which he joined in 1981.

Lustgarten serves on numerous industry and Hearst corporate advisory committees and boards, representing the interests of Hearst Television’s technology, security, and ad operations, and has been a frequent speaker at industry and partner conferences.  He has also been an active champion within the TV Interface Practices (TIP) Initiative, a working consortium formed by local television broadcasters dedicated to promoting open interfaces to streamline advertising transactions for broadcasters and their media agency partners.

Lustgarten received his undergraduate degree from the University of Hartford and holds an MBA degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.