Scripps promotes Hale to senior vice president

 

CINCINNATI – Mark Hale, who has been the vice president of technology operations for The E. W. Scripps Company since May 2005, has been promoted to senior vice president of technology operations.

The elevation is in recognition of his contributions to the company’s success in the past year and reflects the enhanced influence he will have on technology policy in the future.

Hale, 47, will continue to oversee the Scripps information technology group, which provides strategic technological support for all of the company’s national and local media businesses. He also serves as executive vice president of operations for Scripps Networks, which includes the company’s growing portfolio of national television brands such as HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great American Country.

Hale will continue reporting to Joseph G. NeCastro, Scripps executive vice president and chief financial officer. The appointment is effective immediately.

“Running the operations of Scripps Networks and guiding the information technology strategy and execution for the entire Scripps organization requires an executive of uncommon vision and talent. We have that in Mark Hale,” said NeCastro. “Never before in the long history of The E. W. Scripps Company have the implications of technological change meant more to the long-term health of the enterprise, and we’re fortunate to have Mark’s insight and expertise at this critical moment in the media business.”

Hale has 20 years experience developing and overseeing media technologies. He was a member of the original Scripps management team that oversaw the launch of HGTV in 1994, and he guided the design and construction of the Scripps Networks technology center in Knoxville, Tenn.

Before joining Scripps in 1994, Hale worked seven years building, engineering and overseeing operations for E! Entertainment Television’s production facility in Los Angeles. He also was a member of the start-up management team for the Movietime cable television network.

Hale and his family reside in Knoxville.

The E. W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) is a diverse and growing media enterprise with interests in national cable networks, newspaper publishing, broadcast television stations, interactive media, and licensing and syndication.

The company’s portfolio of media properties includes: Scripps Networks, with such brands as HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living, Great American Country and HGTVPro; daily and community newspapers in 18 markets and the Washington-based Scripps Media Center, home to the Scripps Howard News Service; 10 broadcast TV stations, including six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent; leading online search and comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch; and United Media, a leading worldwide licensing and syndication company that is the home of PEANUTS, DILBERT and approximately 150 other features and comics.