Jesus Lara To Lead Radio and TV at TelevisaUnivision
May 26, 2023
In January 2017, he joined what was then Univision Communications as GM of Digital, Content and Entertainment for its radio division. Today, he’s President of Radio for TelevisaUnivision, overseeing what is branded as the Uforia Audio Network.
But, as of tomorrow, he’ll be in the new role of President/Local Media, with Jesus Lara gaining leadership of the company’s TV stations, too.
The promotion comes as TelevisaUnivision’s President of U.S. Local Media, Diane Kniowski, has retired.
Lara reports directly to TelevisaUnivision CEO Wade Davis, and his promotion “significantly expands Lara’s current scope of responsibility” for the company’s cross-platform audio strategy, including Uforia.
But, the big takeaway is that Lara will lead the company’s local TV and radio operations, plus sales efforts associated with those properties, across the U.S. Before joining Univision, Lara previously worked at Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), serving as EVP of Digital Media Strategy from December 2013 through November 2016. Before that, Lara spent many years at Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), and was SVP/Music Programming, Marketing and Talent Strategy for MTV Internaciónal from June 2007-July 2011. From 1998-2004 he held several positions at EMI Music, lastly as VP/Marketing and A&R out of the Miami Beach office.
Acknowledging Kniowski’s accomplishments since joining from Nexstar Media Group in 2018, the company said, “We are incredibly grateful to Diane for her immense contribution to the transformation and growth of our business. She drove a unified strategy and superb execution in our Local Media division. We are grateful to Diane for her contributions, valuable insights, and unwavering dedication to TelevisaUnivision and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter of her life.”
Kniowski was based remotely, from Grand Rapids, Mich. For 17 years, she served as the head of Nexstar’s WOTV-TV and WOOD-TV in the Michigan market.
Kniowski has also served as the President of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
