Morris Network Names Bobby Berry As COO

Broadcast exec Bobby Berry has been tapped by Charles H. Morris, CEO of Morris Network, to be the new chief operating officer of the TV station group, following the retirement of longtime Morris Network president, Dean Hinson.  Berry’s appointment is effective Oct. 1.

Berry will oversee all television operations of Morris Network: WCBI Columbus , Miss. (CBS, CW, MNT); WDEF Chattanooga, Tenn. (CBS, Bounce); WMGT Macon, Ga. (NBC, MNT); WTVQ Lexington, KY (ABC, MNT, Antenna TV); WWAY Wilmington, N.C. (ABC, CW, Retro TV); and WXXV Gulfport, Ms.  (NBC, Fox, MNT).   

“Dean and I have been in the broadcast business together for over 31 years,” Morris said. “Though Dean will be retiring from the day to day operations as president of Morris Network, he will continue to work with our broadcast company as a consultant.  We are pleased that current managers will be able to take on more senior leadership responsibilities as part of this change.  We wish Dean all the best as he starts a new chapter in his life.”

Morris added: “With 30 years of broadcast sales and management experience, I am pleased that Bobby has accepted his new role to take our broadcast division to the next level”, Morris said.    

Berry has been general manager of Morris’ WCBI since December 2005. He will be relocating to Macon, and will be succeeded as GM at WCBI by Derek Rogers, who has been the general manager of WMGT for the past two years. Rogers will be returning to WCBI where he began his broadcast career.  

Todd Buccelli, WDEF’s creative services director, will be replacing Rogers as the general manager of WMGT.