A SVP and regional manager for Nexstar Media Group with oversight of operations for 32 stations in 15 markets has just joined the nation’s leading Hispanic media company.
With experience in Michigan and Indiana, this pro will now be charged — initially — with leading both Univision Communications‘ radio and TV properties in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Chicago.
Taking the role of President and Regional GM of Local Media at Univision is Diane Kniowski.
She will be based in Univision’s Doral, Fla., headquarters and reports directly to a past colleague — recently installed Univision CEO Vincent Sadusky.
“Diane’s experience operating a group of top-rated local TV and digital properties is a perfect fit for Univision’s local media group,” Sadusky said. “Diane understands how to build communities and her creative solutions will serve our audiences and advertisers well. The foundation of Univision for more than 50 years has been built on the strength of its local television and radio stations, many of which are among the highest consumed, English or Spanish.”
Kniowski’s first task is a big one: assisting local GMs in six top markets who will now report to her.
What does this mean for Univision Radio President Jesus Lara?
Lara will now report to Kniowski.
Kniowski will work closely with Univision Local leadership across functions including news, finance and HR as well as marketing, research, engineering, production and operations.
The appointment of Kniowski to Univision’s top Local Media role comes nearly four months after the departure of Isaac Lee as Chief Content Officer of Univision Communications, and the July 23 exit of Chief Revenue Officer Tania O’Connor.
For Kniowski, ties to Sadusky played a large role in her appointment at the company superserving Hispanic consumers. Sadusky is the former President/CEO of Media General, and prior to that was CEO (and, before that, CFO) of an owner of TV stations that company acquired, LIN Television. With Media General’s sale to Nexstar, Sadusky departed.
Kniowski did not, staying on for a regional leadership role at Nexstar following the Media General merger’s closing.
Like Kniowski, her role at Media General came via its LIN purchase. For some 17 years, she led LIN-run NBC affiliate WOOD-8, ABC affiliate WOTV-41 and MyNetworkTV affiliate WXSP-CD 15 in Battle Creek, Mich.
Kniowski also acted as a Regional Manager overseeing station operations in Michigan and Indiana, and launched a MVPD-distributed sports channel in West Michigan that brought Detroit sports to the western side of the state.
“I’m very pleased to be joining Univision and working once again with Vince,” Kniowski said. “I see this role providing wonderful new opportunities and challenges alike as the company seeks to continue to further serve the expanding needs of Hispanic consumers, one of the fastest growing consumer groups in America, during a pivotal time in our nation’s history.”
Kniowski has also served on the ABC Board of Directors and as the ABC Board liaison for the ABC Marketing Association. She is also the past chair of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and has served on the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation Board and American Women in Radio and Television.
