CINCINNATI – Michael C. O’Brien, an executive with extensive political advertising expertise and national television marketplace knowledge, has been named the vice president of sales for the television division of The E.W. Scripps Company.
O’Brien is responsible for the television division’s sales strategy and will work closely with the general managers and sales executives of 10 stations in nine markets. He joined the company Jan. 30.
O’Brien, 37, most recently served as senior vice president of regional sales for Petry Media Corporation in Philadelphia, a position he held since January 2003. He was responsible for sales initiatives and new business development for a 13-office region that generates approximately $250 million in annual television revenue.
“Michael brings a wealth of national advertising experience related to the political sector, as well as industry-wide client relationships,” said Brian Lawlor, senior vice president of television for The E.W. Scripps Company. “He possesses a clear vision for how the television business can monetize the multiple platforms where provide content. His blend of experience, relationship-building, and foreword-thinking approach makes Michael the perfect fit for Scripps.”
O’Brien began his sales career in 1995 at Blair Television as office manager and account executive. Six years later, Blair promoted him to vce president of regional sales.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Fordham University and attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s Aresty Institute for Executive Education.
O’Brien serves as a guest lecturer at Temple University and regularly addresses the Television Bureau of Advertising Forecasting Conference. He serves as a consultant to National Association of Broadcaster lobbyists and has been a featured speaker at C-level Symposium leadership presentations.
A resident of West Chester, Penn., O’Brien will relocate to the Cincinnati area with his wife, Kristen, and their four children.
About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse, 130-year-old media enterprise with interests in television stations, newspapers, local news and information Web sites, and licensing and syndication. The company’s portfolio of locally focused media properties includes: 10 TV stations (six ABC affiliates, three NBC affiliates and one independent); daily and community newspapers in 15 markets and the Washington, D.C.-based Scripps Media Center, home of the Scripps Howard News Service; and United Media, the licensor and syndicator of Peanuts, Dilbert and approximately 150 other features and comics. For a full listing of Scripps media companies and their associated Web sites, visit https://www.scripps.com/.