Rebecca Campbell, the new President of the ABC Television Stations Group, has named her successor as President and General Manager of flagship WABC-TV New York. The post goes to J. David Davis, who has been Executive Vice President, ABC News.
For Dave Davis this is a return engagement. He managed the station from 2003 to 2007, preceding Campbell. As WABC-TV President/GM Davis has overall management responsibility for WABC-TV/Channel 7 and all of its ancillary businesses, including two additional digital TV channels (LiveWell HD and a local/regional weather channel powered by AccuWeather); 7online.com, the station’s Internet site; and “Live! with Regis and Kelly,” the long-running hit syndicated series produced by the station.
“There’s a reason I’ve spent the vast majority of my career with local news stations – I have a true passion for the unique role and service they provide their communities. I’m thrilled with this opportunity and look forward to again managing the number one station in the nation’s number one market,” said Davis of his return to the WABC post.
“News is the lifeblood of our stations and Dave’s credentials are unmatched in that area, having spent more than 33 years in the business with 28 of those for the ABC Owned Station Group. His intimate knowledge of WABC and the New York market make him ideally suited for the top job at our flagship station. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to our division and to Channel 7,” said Campbell.
“While we are sad to see Dave leave ABC News, the company deserves the very best for the number one station in the largest market in the country, and there’s no arguing that Dave is that person. Our loss is WABC’s gain, and we look forward to working closely with Dave in New York, “said David Westin, President of ABC News.
Davis started his career in broadcast news as a News Photographer in 1977 at KTRK-TV, the ABC O&O in Houston. He was subsequently promoted to News Reporter and then News Producer. In 1982, he moved to WFAA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Dallas, as Producer of the 6:00 pm news. Two years later, he returned to KTRK-TV as Executive Producer for news.
In 1986, Davis was promoted to News Director, WTVD-TV, the ABC O&O in Raleigh-Durham. He joined O&O WPVI-TV Philadelphia as News Director in 1990 and was promoted to President and General Manager in 1997. He was named President and General Manager of WABC-TV in 2003. In 2007 he moved to ABC News as Executive Vice President.
