CBS Names Comm. Directors In San Fran., Boston

CBS Local Media today announced the appointments of market communications directors in two of its markets. This new position, CBS says, is an expanded role, with responsibility as spokesperson for all CBS Local Media Properties in each market.

Akilah Bolden-Monifa has been named San Francisco Bay Area market communications director, CBS Local Media, effective immediately.

Bolden-Monifa, who has been communications director at KPIX (CBS) and KBCW (CW) San Francisco since December 2002, will manage and grow the public relations function for the two TV stations as well as the company’s two AM and four FM stations as well as the stations’ online assets, including CBS San Francisco.com.

Bolden-Monifa will continue to report locally to Ron Longinotti, president-GM of KPIX-KBCW, and also to Doug Harvill, SVP and market manager, CBS Radio San Francisco.  In addition, she will report to Mike Nelson, VP, communications, CBS Television Stations, and Karen Mateo, VP, communications, CBS Radio.

In addition to her responsibilities at the TV stations, Bolden-Monifa also is producer of KPIX’s weekly public affairs show Bay Sunday, and three ethnic heritage month celebrations each year.  She also oversees the internship program at the TV stations.

Prior to joining CBS eight years ago, Bolden-Monifa was a media trainer for nonprofit organizations and, before becoming a public relations professional, worked as a lawyer and law professor.

In Boston, Ro Dooley-Webster becomes Boston market communications director.

Dooley-Webster, who been communications director at CBS-owned WBZ (CBS) and WSBK (ind.) Boston since August 2004, is now in charge of the public relations and public affairs functions for all of the CBS Local Media properties in the Boston market”: WBZ, WSBK, the company’s one AM and three FM stations and the stations’ online assets, including CBS Boston.com.

Dooley-Webster will continue to report locally to Ed Piette, president_GM of WBZ-WSBK, and also to Mark Hannon, EVP-market manager, CBS Radio Boston. In addition, she will report to Mike Nelson, VP, communications, CBS Television Stations, and Karen Mateo, VP, Communications, CBS Radio.

Dooley-Webster has more than 20 years of top management experience in broadcast journalism and marketing in New England. Before joining CBS, she was director of public relations for WHDH Boston. She has also worked as the public relations director for WLVI Boston.  Before that, she was the director of press and public relations at New England Cable News (NECN).

Dooley-Webster received her master’s degree in marketing communications from Emerson College. Prior to that, she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from Boston College.