Sean McLaughlin Joining Scripps As News VP

The E.W. Scripps Co. today named industry veteran Sean McLaughlin as its vice president of news, effective March 6.  

McLaughlin joins Scripps from KMOV St. Louis, where he was executive news director and creative services director. Scripps said his focus will be on journalism excellence, audience relevance and digital platforms.

“I am very excited about Sean joining the Scripps team, said Brian Lawlor, SVP of the Scripps broadcast division. “He impressed me so much in his first interview, and it grew from there. He has a history of growing news ratings, most recently taking KMOV from third to first. Sean has a ton of energy and represents the leadership skills that motivate people to want to work hard and to want to win.”

Before starting at KMOV in 2007, McLaughlin was a news director at KTUL Tulsa, Okla., from 2005 to 2007. Prior to that, he was the news director at KOKI Tulsa from 2001 to 2005.

From 1996 to 2001, he worked at WICS Springfield, Ill., starting as an anchor and political reporter but moving up to executive producer and finally news director. He developed his on-air skills as an anchor and reporter at KAAL Austin, Minn., from 1994 to 1996.

McLaughlin has a bachelor’s degree in political science and mass communications from Minnesota State University.