Hearst’s News VP Opts For KC GM Spot

Brian Bracco, VP of news for Hearst Television, is joining E.W. Scripps as general manager of NBC affiliate KSHB and its sister, independent KMCI, in Kansas City, Mo. (DMA 31), effective today, Dec. 3.

Bracco did not have to move to take on the new job. As a Hearst group executive, he was based in Kansas City and he knows the market well, having served as news director Hearst’s ABC affiliate KMBC for more than a decade.

The KSBH-KMCI job opened up last summer when GM Mike Vrabac announced his retirement.

“In all of our Scripps markets, we are determined to fulfill our mission to serve our communities with quality journalism across multiple platforms,” said Brian Lawlor, SVP of television for Scripps.

“Brian Bracco will provide strong leadership at KSHB. He is vastly qualified to motivate and inspire his staff to become the go-to source for news and investigations in the market. He also will lead the charge for creative sales solutions for current and future customers.”

Before joining KMBC, Bracco worked in TV news as an assistant news director, managing editor, producer, anchor and reporter. Those jobs took him to Wichita, Kan.; Columbus, Ohio; and Birmingham, Ala.

 “With his years of experience in cultivating winning news organizations, his knowledge of the Kansas City market and his strong leadership skills, Brian is the ideal candidate for this role,” added Lawlor.

Bracco is a past chairman of the ABC news advisory board and a member of the Radio Television Digital News Association. He is on the advisory board of the University of Kansas Edwards Campus; Bracco received a B.A. in journalism from the university.