TVB Names Auto Industry Adviser

TVB has appointed Steve Sturm the new position of executive adviser, automotive of its national business development division. Sturm brings more than 30 years of executive experience in automotive sales and, business development and marketing to his new role at TVB.

Throughout Sturm’s career, he has worked with senior corporate officers, media agency executives, and automotive dealers to support sales, marketing and maximize return on investment.

“TVB is committed to enhancing our members’ local sales efforts with services that leverage the unrivaled reach and engagement of broadcast television,” said Steve Lanzano, CEO of TVB. “In this newly created role at TVB, Steve will be instrumental in helping grow our core business development capabilities in the important automotive category by establishing relationships with key industry constituents and by developing new, innovative communications strategies that best leverage broadcasters’ marketing solutions platforms to support the needs and sales objectives of automotive businesses.”

Sturm commented: “The majority of my career has been focused on developing and executing marketing strategies on behalf of leading automotive brands, and local broadcast television has proven to be the most effective advertising platform among any other medium when it comes to moving local dealership inventory or bringing new car models to market. I look forward to leveraging my automotive experience and marketing expertise to support the selling efforts of TVB’s membership while building upon the foundation of television’s role as the leading influence on consumers’ purchase decisions.”

He joins TVB from AOL Inc. where he was the automotive category development officer. His career began in 1981 at Toyota where he ascended to positions of elevated responsibility during his 29-year tenure, including brand leadership for Lexus and Toyota, eventually serving as group VP corporate communications, strategic planning and research for Toyota Motor North America.

Sturm earned his MBA from New York University and his bachelor’s degree from City University of New York.