Hearst Television CEO David J. Barrett Adds Chairman Role; Jordan Wertlieb Promoted to President


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Dec 6, 2012) -  Hearst Corporation today announced that David J. Barrett has been named chairman and CEO of Hearst Television and Jordan Wertlieb has been named president. The announcements were made by Hearst Corporation CEO Frank A. Bennack, Jr. Both promotions are effective immediately.

"David has been an important leader at Hearst for nearly 30 years and remains a force in the broadcast industry, championing the digital and mobile future of television news and information," Bennack said. "I congratulate him on his new role as chairman and look forward to his continued stewardship of the expansion and success of Hearst Television."

"For almost 20 years, Jordan Wertlieb has been an outstanding Hearst Television executive -- something I know will continue in his new role as president," Barrett said. "During the last few years, we've been working together to increase the service we provide to viewers around the country -- on-air, online and via mobile -- and the value we bring to local businesses. This was a tremendous year of growth in terms of revenue and I look forward to working with Jordan to keep that momentum going."

Barrett was named president and CEO of Hearst-Argyle Television in 2001. Hearst-Argyle was publicly traded on the NYSE from 1998 until 2009, when it was taken private by Hearst Corporation and re-named Hearst Television. He had a six-year tenure as deputy general manager of Hearst Broadcasting and four years as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hearst-Argyle Television. Barrett joined Hearst in 1984 as general manager of the company's Baltimore radio stations, later assuming general manager responsibility for the Hearst Radio Group and then for WBAL-TV in Baltimore. He is a director of Hearst Corporation, a trustee of the trust established under the will of William Randolph Hearst and a director of the Hearst Foundations.

Wertlieb was named executive vice president of Hearst Television in January 2011. In that role, he had management oversight responsibility for a portion of the 29 Hearst TV stations around the country and assisted Barrett on various corporate matters. Prior to that, Wertlieb was president and general manager of WBAL-TV from 2005 to 2011. He joined WBAL-TV in 1999 as general sales manager after joining Hearst in 1993 as national sales manager of WCVB-TV in Boston.

Wertlieb began his television career in 1986 as a research analyst at Katz Communications. He became a television sales account executive at Katz in 1989, representing Hearst Broadcasting, as well as other leading station groups.

About Hearst Television
Hearst Television (www.hearsttelevision.com), a national multimedia company, owns and operates 29 local television stations and two local radio stations, serving 30 U.S. cities and reaching approximately 18 percent of U.S. television households. The TV stations broadcast 60 video channels, featuring local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming and local community service-oriented programs. The stations also host and operate digital online and mobile platforms that extend the company's brands and content to local, national and international audiences. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation.

About Hearst Corporation
Celebrating its 125th anniversary, Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. Its major interests include ownership of 15 daily and 36 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union; hundreds of magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, HISTORY and ESPN; significant holdings in the automotive, electronic and medical/pharmaceutical industries; a 50 percent stake in the global ratings agency Fitch Group; Internet and marketing services businesses; television production; newspaper features distribution; and real estate. Follow us on Twitter @HearstCorp.

Contact Information:

Contacts:
Debra Shriver
dshriver@hearst.com
212-649-2461

Paul Luthringer
pluthringer@hearst.com
212-649-2540

Hearst Television Chairman & CEO David Barrett Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb