Chrisanthopoulos – President & COO @ Pappas Telecasting Companies.

Pappas Telecasting Companies announced the promotion of Peter Chrisanthopoulos to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. In his expanded role, Mr. Chrisanthopoulos will oversee operations for all facets of Pappas Telecasting’s business, including radio and television broadcast stations, program development and production, and advertising sales and marketing. Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer, Sales & Marketing for Pappas’ Azteca America Television Station Group. He joined Pappas Telecasting in November 2000.

In making the announcement, Harry J. Pappas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Peter has demonstrated tremendous leadership and performance during his time with Pappas Telecasting. The expertise, industry experience and relationships that made him so attractive to us three years ago have proven to be great assets. When coupled with his hard work ethic and his sound judgment, the results are formidable. With the scale of growth that we expect over the next several years, Peter’s talents and leadership will enable us to keep pace with the changes in the industry as well as at the company so that we can offer first-class service to our viewers and to the advertisers who seek to reach those viewers. Moreover, after more than three decades in the role of Chairman, President and CEO, the time has come to hand the President’s baton to a new leader.”

Mr. Chrisanthopoulos said, “This is a pivotal time in the history of our industry. The television business faces not only difficult challenges, but also enormous opportunities for those companies that are well-positioned to take advantage. I’m excited about my new position because I believe that Pappas Telecasting is one of those companies in a position to seize such opportunities. Considering my colleagues’ depth of talent, I’m confident that we will be able to ascertain the needs and tastes of our viewers and advertisers, satisfy those needs and tastes, and create lasting value for our company.”

The change in responsibilities means that Mr. Chrisanthopoulos has been handed day-to-day operational oversight, responsibility and authority. In the new arrangement, Mr. Pappas will work in concert with all of the company’s senior officers and focus his energy on charting the company’s strategic direction, evaluating timely acquisitions, considering strategic relationships, and executing the company’s strategic plan. Howard H. Shrier, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Pappas Telecasting’s TV Stations Division, will remain in that role but will now report directly to Mr. Chrisanthopoulos. Mr. Pappas added, “Howard has seen his responsibilities grow from overseeing three TV stations to nearly two dozen. He has led the way on development of start-ups, enhanced existing stations acquired by our group and dealt with numerous operational and development challenges most successfully. With the acquisitions we plan plus other business developments, it was time to strengthen our senior management team consistent with the challenges and opportunities we face.”

Mr. Chrisanthopoulos will continue to be headquartered in New York City.