Logo

Hot List: Brian Buchwald

Jun 22, 2009  •  Post A Comment

Name: Brian Buchwald

Title: Senior VP, local integrated media, NBC

Age: 34

Big Break: Because he was named to the NBC Affiliate Futures Committee in early 2006, Mr. Buchwald was able to co-found the NBC broadband syndication marketplace that jumpstarted NBC’s efforts in digital video syndication and online video advertising marketplaces.

Who Knew?: His happily married parents met as pages at 30 Rock in 1965.

At NBC, Brian Buchwald is responsible for reinventing what it means for local TV stations to be on the Web. He’s done well so far: the relaunch of NBC’s 10 owned station sites last fall has resulted in a tripling of Web traffic for those sites. As the senior VP of local integrated media at NBC, he’s about to shepherd yet another overhaul to grow them even more.

Keeping a local TV station relevant is no easy task in this economy; plus TV stations are faced with bigger issues of shrinking audiences and revenues as viewers defect to the Web. NBC’s solution has been to move onto the Web in a way that meets the new generation’s goals.

In November, NBC rebranded the station sites as “locals only” to focus less on the broadcast station programming and more on the cities they serve. That included adding more content on local culture, politics and media and incorporating reports from bloggers and thought leaders in each market, Mr. Buchwald explained.

Mr. Buchwald also led the effort to hire a team of 60 while lowering costs 30% by bringing the Web site technology in house. Now, NBC plans on giving the sites an additional face lift in the coming months to add social media features, improve Web distribution and make them more community-focused.

“He has a tremendous understanding of our business and how to adapt our traditional local television assets to a digital environment. He’s creative and not afraid to take risks, and the online strategy developed by Brian and his team is already starting to show real results,” said John Wallace, president of NBC Local Media.

Mr. Buchwald said his goal for the year ahead is “to make NBC a relevant player locally with a new generation of audiences currently not watching our news broadcasts or intimately aware of our brands.”

—Daisy Whitney

9 Comments

  1. NBC sure knows how to hire them, but not fire them.
    http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/WallStreet/story?id=6813806&page=1

  2. Mike, it’s only because “he’s creative and not afraid to take risks”. But tell me, are you thrilled, bored, laughing, furious, sad or intrigued about it?

  3. oh sorry, that’s not an option. geez, i always thought there were anger management issues but…

  4. I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?

  5. The largest UK authorised Mont Blanc retailer stocking the entire Montblanc range of ballpoint & fountain pens, cufflinks & wallets. FREE next day UK.

  6. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  7. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  8. You make blogging look like a walk in the park! I’ve been trying to blog daily but I just cant find writing material.. you’re an inspiration to me and i’m sure many others!

  9. Great post. Hope you write more on the subject soon.

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)