Steve Thaxton Named WCPO VP-GM

Steve Thaxton today was named vice president and general manager of WCPO, the E.W. Scripps Co.’s ABC affiliate in Cincinnati (DMA 33). He succeeds Bill Fee, who retired in December 2010 after leading the station since 1999.

Thaxton begins his new assignment on March 21. Thaxton, 52, joins WCPO following nearly 13 years as president and GM of Gannett Broadcasting’s NBC affiliates WCSH in Portland, Maine, and WLBZ in Bangor, Maine. While simultaneously leading WCSH and WLBZ, he produced 36 hours of original local news and information programming weekly.

Before leading the Maine stations, Thaxton served in leadership roles at Gannett’s KARE Minneapolis, KUSA Denver and KPNX Phoenix; all of which are NBC affiliates.

“In the past few years, Scripps has strengthened its commitment to high-impact, community-changing journalism, which is why an executive with Steve’s reputation for local news leadership came to our attention,” said Brian Lawlor, SVP of the Scripps television division. “He has vast experience in producing programming that engages both consumers and advertisers. Combining his skills with the existing strengths of WCPO will deliver powerful results for the viewers and businesses of Greater Cincinnati.”

Thaxton began his television career in KPLR St. Louis in promotions in 1980 and in 1981 moved into promotions at KMSP Minneapolis. Two years later, he accepted the role of VP of promotions at KARE Minneapolis.

From 1988 to 1989, Thaxton left the television industry to serve as manager of creative services at Frank Magid Associates in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Thaxton earned his bachelor of individual studies in media management from the University of Minnesota.