Takes over for Randy Falco, who’s retiring
By: Chris Ariens
Vincent Sadusky has been at the forefront of local TV media’s enormous transformation over the past decade.
Now he’s taking on the arduous task of leading the nation’s largest Spanish-language media network, Univision Communications. Sadusky has been named CEO of the company, succeeding Randy Falco.
“Vince is distinctly qualified to lead UCI through the next phase of its growth, given his impressive track record of leadership, vision, deep industry experience and relationships,” said UCI chairman Haim Saban, announcing Sadusky’s hiring. “This is a unique moment for UCI, and we believe that we have the right strategy and team in place to execute on the opportunities in front of us.”
Sadusky, the former CEO of local media group Media General, will also become a member of the Univision’s board of directors.
During a recent pre-upfront presentation for reporters, Univision CRO Tonia O’Connor acknowledged Univision’s headwinds. “Yes, we are going through a business review. And, yes, we are cutting costs and laying off employees,” O’Connor said, adding, “Yes, we are a growth company.”
Now it will be up Sadusky to lead through those challenges which will likely include more cost cuts.
“Over the last few months, UCI has taken a number of steps to evolve and thrive in today’s rapidly changing media environment, and I am committed to ensuring the company is in the best position possible to serve its audiences for decades to come,” Sadusky said in a statement. “I am eager to work with UCI’s talented team to enhance the company’s leadership position and underscore its crucial role as a source of news and information.”
In March, Falco announced he’d be retiring as UCI CEO later this year. He’ll remain an adviser through 2018.
“Leading UCI has been one of the most personally and professionally rewarding experiences of my life,” said Falco, who previously held leadership roles at NBC and AOL. “So much has changed—and will continue to change—in the media landscape but through it all one thing remains true: No other media company serves and supports Hispanic America like UCI, something that is more important than ever in our world today.”
Sadusky, 53, has worked in Spanish-language media before as CFO of Telemundo from 1994 to 2004. He was there when NBC acquired Telemundo in 2001 (when Falco was president of NBC). For the past decade, he has led two local TV station ownership groups, overseeing the sale of both. Named CEO of LIN Media in 2005, Sadusky led that company for 10 years, until it was sold to Media General. He remained CEO of Media General until last year, when Nexstar completed its $4.6 billion acquisition of that TV station group.
Source: Adweek
