Gannett Co. names senior vice president of programming

McLean-based Gannett Co. has named a former employee senior vice president of programming, effective March 23.

Bob Sullivan most recently worked for Scripps Media Inc. where he held a similar title.

In his new role, Sullivan will develop a pipeline of non-news local content on traditional and new platforms across Gannett and for national syndication. Sullivan will also be responsible for all group syndication negotiations.

Sullivan assumed several leadership roles during his previous tenure at Gannett, serving as president and general manager of WUSA in Washington; news director and station manager at KPNX in Phoenix and news director at WTLV in Jacksonville, Fla.

From 2006 through 2010, Sullivan was president of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, where he produced, wrote and presented three bids to host future Super Bowls in Arizona. At that time, he also was owner of Sullivan and Associates Consulting Inc., a marketing consulting firm.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications management and business administration from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis.

Gannett plans to split its publishing business from its broadcast and digital side later this year.  Both companies will still be headquartered in McLean.