Leo MacCourtney and Craig Broitman, heads of the rep's Eagle and Milliennium units, will take over for Beloyianis as co-presidents.
Beloyianis, Spiesman Out At Katz Television
Jim Beloyianis, president of Katz Television Group, and Michael Spiesman, president of Katz’s Continental Television Sales, are gone in a major shakeup at the national rep firm, a source confirmed Friday afternoon.
Beloyianis is being replaced by Leo MacCourtney and Craig Broitman, who will be co-presidents in the new order.
Beloyianis joined Katz in 1973 and has been president of Katz Television Group since 1994. Spiesman joined Katz as an account exec in 1982 and was named president of Continental in 1999.
MacCourtney joined Katz as head of the Eagle Television Sales unit in 2007 after leaving the now defunct Blair Television. Broitman, who headed the Millennium Sales & Marketing unit, has been with Katz since 1986.
Katz is expected to announce new heads of the operating units early next week.
Comments (17)
Hope Yen and Charles Babington says:
March 9, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Although I didn’t know Jim personally, we had met a few times. Michael Spiesman, on the other hand I would consider a close friend and colleague! VERY sorry to see them leave; they did a terrific job for both our stations in Northern Michigan from the mid-1990’s until we sold both in 2004.
Jeanne Sartor says:
March 9, 2012 at 7:40 pm
What was the reason for the shakeup? Just wondering..
Ashley M. Heher says:
March 10, 2012 at 1:20 am
Jim Beloyianis was always a great interview for those of us covering Katz TV sales. I have nothing but really strong memories of him as a real straight shooter. Leo was at Blair and equally honest and forthright. Strange how these partings take place. Good luck, Jim.
Joshua Weiss says:
March 10, 2012 at 10:11 am
Although I am prone to wax nostalgic, the news of these two industry giants leaves me with an even heavier heart. My 30+years in the TV biz gives me pause to remember the “good ole days” when men of character and and integrity were honored with respect. I cannot pretend to know what were the reasons for their demise but what I do know is it was not because of either their work ethic or their solid business acumen. They are gentlemen and worthy of praise for many years of representing careers of noteworthy accomplishments with class. Ahhh….the “good ole days”….if they were only here again.
Todd Kane says:
March 11, 2012 at 5:00 pm
This is a sad occasion for the television indusry at a time when the talent of Jim Beloyianis and Michael Spiesman are most needed. I recall when Jim was a national salesman competing against me in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Michael is a true friend and a man dedicated to the task. Both shall be missed and filling the void shall not be easy at a time when National sales organizations are vulnerable.
Jim Mahoney says:
March 12, 2012 at 9:27 am
I have known and worked with Jim and Michael most of the years since ’87. Always helpful, always came through, always classy.
Barb Palser says:
March 12, 2012 at 9:39 am
Jim is a class act. Clear Channel Radio is NOT.
Debra winans says:
March 12, 2012 at 10:45 am
I heard they called Speisman when he was eating breakfast at a deli and told him not to come in and that they would mail him his things. What a classy way to treat an employee who has been there for 30 years. Stay classy Clear Channel.
Amy Warren says:
March 12, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Maybe a stupid question (never stops me) but does anyone know who made this decision…to “replace.” Is it a KATZ “board” ? I realize we all answer to someone or something. What is it in this case?
kendra campbell says:
March 12, 2012 at 1:33 pm
That would be John Hogan at Clear Channel. Not the brightest bulb…
Michael Schott says:
March 12, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Ditto all the great things said about Jim and Michael. Local station sales represented on a national basis just got more difficult…..
Michael Blakely says:
March 12, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Class and grace left the Broadcasting business years ago. Retirement is a pleasant option. Best wishes to Jim and Mike, I know both, and they will land well I’m sure.
EMILY STERN says:
March 12, 2012 at 2:17 pm
I have had the pleasure of working with Jim Beloyianis since the 70’s and Michael Spiesman since the 80’s these guys are two of the finest, most experienced and most knowledgeable sales executive in our business. They always handled every difficult negotiation in a professional manner, looking after their client’s business and the advertiser’s business in a win-win situation. Whenever I had the opportunity to be with them I knew that I would walk away having learned a more intelligent method by which to conduct business and increase our stations’ revenue share for future growth. I will greatly miss their guidance, aggressiveness and business acumen.
Maureen ODaniel says:
March 12, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Shocked is putting it mildly. I’ve worked with these gentlemen, and I do mean gentlemen, for over 20 years. They were two of the really “good guys” in the business and they will be sorely missed by a lot of people. The way they were treated after a combined tenure of nearly 70 years with the company is truly pathetic. This is the kind of thing in our business today that makes me glad I’m retired. Best of luck to both Jim and Michael.
Brad Dann says:
March 12, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Agree with the comments on Jim and Michael. It was handled poorly and not thought out. Surprised the fact that at least 5 Offices were closed by Katz Media Group last Friday, meaning many more people let go, hasn’t been reported. Clear Channel told remaining management that they “we’re excited” about the operational changes that have been made. Good thing they were on the phone from San Antonio or there might have been a homicide.
Jay Miller says:
March 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm
I agree. These two guys were/are class acts. But now we address the future of Repdom. When are the people who run broadcast groups going to fundamentally change this model. TV Station Representatives , especially at the higher levels (management), need, and I mean need, to have senior executives who have spent quality time as station executives(sales management). Except for O&O reps, national reps basically know nothing about digital media and local sales which in most cases is now 70-75% of station revenues. They need to understand value and the new landscape and stop espousing CPP and commodity sales. That ship has sailed. Cox Reps is trying this but at the end of the day , they are all meeting CPPS, doing value added, and shuffling papers. When will it change Broadcast Execs? Either change it or you will be changed! Except for Newspaper Executives National Rep Managers and National Reps are the most exposed to extinction in the business. One good Political year and they all put their heads back in the sand. Show me how they (National Reps) are moving the meter with Digital Sales….Pretty quiet, just like I thought.
Joe Jaime says:
May 1, 2012 at 11:23 am
I worked with both guys most of my 25+ years in television respected both. They could always be trusted and were the backbone of the TV rep business in NYC. The manners of their termination ( execution ) was beyond classless! An ambush from the weeds. Clear Chanel Exe’s will one day look back at their handeling of this termination with reget…I hope. Both guys desered an opportunity to retire like the true gentleman they are!
If you are considering a job at Clear Channel, don’t forget how they handeled this termination. You may want to take your talent elsewere>