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Cable television broadcasting industry

Steven J. Heyer Leaves Young & Rubicam for Turner Broadcasting Sales

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Steven J. Heyer, executive vice president at Young & Rubicam Inc. in New York, has left to become president of Turner Broadcasting Sales in New York and corporate vice president for broadcasting sales, sales marketing, and development at Turner Broadcasting System. Heyer, 41, succeeds John Barbera, who unexpectedly resigned in January. Barbera has since purchased a small radio company with Randy Booth, former chief financial officer at TBS, called Satellite Radio Service. Heyer had been at Y.& R. only since September 1992 and was named president and chief operating officer at Y.& R. Advertising in December.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steven J. Heyer, 41, has joined Turner Broadcasting System as president of Turner Broadcasting Sales and corporate vice president for broadcasting sales, sales marketing, and development.
  • Heyer succeeds John Barbera, who resigned in January and has since purchased a small radio company, Satellite Radio Service, with former TBS CFO Randy Booth.
  • Heyer had been executive vice president at Young & Rubicam Inc. in New York since September 1992 and was named president and chief operating officer at Y.& R. Advertising in December.
  • Among Heyer's responsibilities will be domestic and international ad sales and sales promotion for five TBS operations: CNN, the Cartoon Network, Headline News, TNT, and WTBS, as well as for new media and place-based media like the Airport Channel.
  • Richard McGowan, a spokesman for Y.& R. in New York, stated that Heyer's position would be eliminated and the responsibilities would be divided among John McGarry, chairman and chief executive at Y.& R. Advertising, and seven other members of the executive committee.
  • There is no confirmation on a 5 to 10 percent staff reduction at Y.& R.'s New York office, with McGowan dismissing the report as "pure speculation."

Statistics:

  • 41: Heyer's age at the time of departure from Young & Rubicam.
  • 5 to 10 percent: Unconfirmed staff reduction at Y.& R.'s New York office.
  • 7: Number of other members of the executive committee at Y.& R. who will share responsibilities after Heyer's departure.
  • 1992: Year Heyer joined Young & Rubicam Inc. in New York.
  • December: Month Heyer was named president and chief operating officer at Y.& R. Advertising.
  • Turner Broadcasting System (TBS): Parent company of Turner Broadcasting Sales.
  • CNN, Cartoon Network, Headline News, TNT, WTBS: Five TBS operations for which Heyer will be responsible for ad sales and sales promotion.

Sources:

  • "Steven J. Heyer Leaves Young & Rubicam for Turner Broadcasting Sales" (no publication date mentioned).
  • Adweek (no date mentioned).
  • Booz, Allen & Hamilton (no date mentioned).
  • Turner Broadcasting System (no date mentioned).

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