Nearly four years to the date of his hire as president and general manager of KETV, Joel Vilmenay is leaving the Omaha ABC affiliate to become president and general manager of another Hearst-Argyle Television-owned station, WDSU.Vilemenay's appointment to the company's NBC affiliate in New Orleans (DMA Market No. 54) was announced Wednesday by David J. Barrett, president and chief executive officer of Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.
"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."
At KETV, Vilmenay succeeded Richard Dyer on Feb. 5, 2003. Dyer moved to Cincinnati to serve as president and general manager of WLWT, another Hearst-Argyle NBC affiliate. In New Orleans, Vilmenay will succeed Mason Granger, who is stepping down after eight years with WDSU in order to return to his hometown of New York.
"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," Barrett said. "Over the past four years KETV, under Joel's leadership, has achieved impressive results, strengthening its local competitive position, and delivering record financial performance."
A press release said Vilmenay's successor at KETV will be announced in the coming weeks.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.
During his tenure in Omaha, KETV consistently finished at, or near the top, of the Nielsen Media Research ratings. Another major development that also occurred on his watch came last year when KETV denied Cox Communications the right to rebroadcast its high definition signal. The dispute continues to this day.
"Until we come to terms with Cox our viewers can access KETV-HD via both major satellite services, over-the-air or through the use of ATSC/QAM tuners," Vilmenay said last month. "This also allows viewers access to KETV's Weather Now, Nebraska's first and only 24-hour local weather channel."
