Sullivan new president, CBS Television Stations National Sales

James Sullivan, VP of sales, CBS-owned WBBM-TV Chicago, named president, CBS Television Stations National Sales, New York. He will oversee national spot sales for 25 CBS stations and will report to Tom Kane, president and CEO, CBS Television Stations.

“Jim is an accomplished sales executive with 16 years in the business, and I’m confident the success he’s enjoyed in that time, most recently in Chicago, will be of great benefit to our efforts at the national sales level,” said Kane. “Over the past several years Jim has gained invaluable experience handling sales in a major market, where he has helped revitalize WBBM’s sales operation, as well as in previous roles with CBS Spot Sales and Petry. He has distinguished himself at every juncture, and I’m convinced that his experience in both the local and national sales arenas, coupled with the relationships he has formed with all the key agencies and buyers, will be of significant value to our spot sales operation.”

 

Before joining WBBM, where he worked for four years as vice president and director of sales, Sullivan was vice president, group sales manager of CBS Spot Sales, which handled national sales for 11 CBS owned stations before the merger with the Viacom-owned outlets. Before that, Sullivan was vice president, director of sales for the national rep firm Petry, where he handled 15 major markets including San Francisco and Denver. He also served as a group sales manager and account executive with Petry.

The CBS Television Stations division comprises 21 CBS, 15 UPN, one WB and two stations not affiliated with major networks.