Vilmenay Named President and General Manager of WDSU-TV, New Orleans

Vilmenay Named President and General Manager of WDSU-TV, New Orleans

NEW YORK, and NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Joel Vilmenay, who has served as president and general manager of KETV, Hearst-Argyle Television's ABC affiliate in Omaha, the nation's 75th largest television market, has been appointed president and general manager of WDSU-TV, the company's NBC affiliate in New Orleans, the nation's 54th-largest television market.

The appointment was announced today by David J. Barrett, president and chief executive officer of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.

Vilmenay succeeds Mason Granger, who is stepping down after eight years with WDSU in order to return to his hometown of New York. "Mason's leadership at WDSU has been extraordinary," Barrett said, "and there can be no doubt that the challenges he and his team have confronted over the past 18 months -- in the aftermath of Katrina -- have been unprecedented. WDSU's response to those challenges deserves our highest admiration and gratitude."

Commenting on Vilmenay, Barrett added, "Joel intuitively recognizes the challenge and the importance of this new assignment, and his willingness to succeed Mason is great news for the station, our company, and the community of New Orleans. Over the past four years KETV, under Joel's leadership, has achieved impressive results, strengthening its local competitive position, and delivering record financial performance."

"Hearst-Argyle is committed to enabling WDSU to play a vital role in the recovery and rebirth of New Orleans," Barrett continued. "We're confident that Joel will build on the work of Mason with everyone at WDSU, and carry on the station's important mission."

Vilmenay's successor at KETV will be announced in the coming weeks.

Vilmenay joined KETV and Hearst-Argyle in 2003 from Gannett Television, where he served most recently as general sales manager of WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, MI, and, before that, in a number of positions, including local sales manager and national sales manager, with WUSA-TV in Washington, DC. He also served as an account executive at Blair Television, the national advertising representation firm. He began his career in radio in 1990 with WWWZ-FM in Charleston, SC, subsequently moving to account executive positions with WMAL- AM and, later, WXTR-FM, both in Washington, DC.

Vilmenay holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Television and Film, and a Masters of Business Administration, both from the University of Maryland. He also completed a Media Management Development seminar at Northwestern University, and was a 2001 National Association of Broadcasters Education Fellow.

Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. owns 26 television stations, and manages an additional three television and two radio stations, in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The Company's television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America's largest television station groups. Hearst-Argyle owns 12 ABC-affiliated stations, and manages an additional ABC station owned by Hearst Corporation, and is the largest ABC affiliate group. The Company also owns 10 NBC affiliates, and is the second- largest NBC affiliate owner, and owns two CBS affiliates. Hearst-Argyle is majority owned by Hearst Corporation. Hearst-Argyle Series A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HTV." HTV debt is rated investment grade by Moody's (Baa3), Standard & Poor's (BBB-) and Fitch (BBB-), each with a stable outlook. The company's Web address is www.hearstargyle.com.

Source: Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.

CONTACT: Thomas W. Campo, +1-212-887-6827, tcampo@hearst.com

Web site: http://www.hearstargyle.com/

-------
Profile: intent