LIN Media’s Head Of TV Retiring At Year’s End

Scott Blumenthal, EVP television at LIN Media, is set to retire from the company at the end of the year, after 30 years with the company. Jay Howell, LIN VP regional television, was named Blumenthal’s successor, effective Jan. 1.

Blumenthal’s broadcasting career began in 1970 after earning a bachelor of science degree in communications from Indiana State University. He worked in multiple positions at WTWO Terry Haute, Ind., and WRTV Indianapolis, before partnering to develop an advertising agency, commercial syndication and animation studio.

LIN Media recruited Blumenthal in 1983 to be a local sales manager for WISH Indianapolis. He then worked for WOOD and WOTV Grand Rapids, Mich. as president and GM. He returned to WISH as president and GM in 1999 and was then named regional vice president for LIN in 2002. In 2005, he was promoted to VP television, and then to the executive level a year later.

“Scott’s deep understanding of television news, programming, sales and community engagement, coupled with his decisive leadership, has contributed enormously to the growth and success of our Company,” Vincent Sadusky, president and CEO of LIN Media, said in a statement. “His retirement culminates a long and successful career in broadcasting and is certainly well-deserved. Scott has done a great job preparing Jay for a smooth transition and giving him the tools he needs to continue evolving our television stations for the future.”

In addition to his day-to-day work, Blumenthal served as a chairman of the Indiana Broadcasters Association and the Michigan Broadcasters Association, and currently serves on the Board of the Television Bureau of Advertising. He was also the treasurer of the CBS Board of Affiliates in 2005, and then upped to chairman of the board in 2007.

He’s also served on the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors since 2007.

“I feel fortunate to have been in this exciting and dynamic business for over 40 years, 30 of which have been with an industry-leading company like LIN Media,” Blumenthal said. “I look forward to working with Jay and the rest of the Executive Team in a consultancy role and spending some much needed time with my family and golf game.”