Nexstar Names Midwest Local Content Chief

Nexstar Broadcasting today appointed Andy Miller its director of local content development, responsible for overseeing the execution and expansion of the company’s local content and viewer engagement initiatives across its Midwest broadcast and digital media operations.

Since 2005, Miller has been the news director of Nexstar’s WCIA (CBS) and WCIX (MyNetworkTV) and IllinoisHomepage.net in Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Ill. (DMA 85). The appointment is effective immediately and Miller will report to Blake Russell, Nexstar’s SVP of station operations.

The company said Miller’s promotion “reflects Nexstar’s expanding scale and strategy to appoint proven broadcast and digital media leaders to oversee the development of its innovative multiplatform local news and community-focused content on a regional basis, while enhancing its commitment to serve viewers, clients and advertising partners.”

In his new role, Miller will oversee Nexstar Midwest region markets in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and North Dakota. He will work across the Nexstar organization and with other corporate personnel, general managers, news directors and creative services teams to execute the company’s strategies on brand development, local content leadership and excellence in viewer-client experience and service.

In addition, Nexstar said, he will be responsible for executing and monitoring plans to achieve corporate and regional business objectives, growing ratings and revenue share and improving audience interaction and engagement with Nexstar’s broadcast and digital-mobile media platforms.

Miller first joined Nexstar in 2001, when the company acquired the controlling interest of WCIA from Midwest Television. A native of Champaign, Ill., he spent 20 years at WCIA. During his tenure, he ascended from his initial role as a producer to positions of increased responsibility, serving as the assignment editor and assistant news director before being promoted to news director in 2005.

Russell commented on the appointment: “Nexstar’s commitment to localism and industry-leading innovation remain key components of our operating and expansion strategies and our long-term success. With the significant growth of our broadcast operations, the addition of a regional director of local content development was necessary to oversee our expanded portfolio of leading local television stations and to maintain our industry-wide reputation of delivering exceptional local programming and community service.”