Atlanta-based CBS Announces Top Management Lineup
In a significant move to strengthen local journalism and community connection, the station previously known as WUPA is rebranding as CBS Atlanta. This transition marks a significant investment from CBS, as highlighted by Jennifer Mitchell, the president of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital.
Mitchell, who oversees the transition and the new station’s leadership team, emphasizes the importance of this move in reflecting and serving the Atlanta community. She is the key executive to whom the station’s president and general manager, Tom Canedo, and other local leaders report during this transition.
Tom Canedo, who has been leading an independent station in the Atlanta market for some time, will continue to lead the station as president and general manager of CBS Atlanta. He sees the addition of Shawn Hoder and Barbara Roeder as crucial for the development of the new station.
Shawn Hoder, who previously spent seven years at WXIA Atlanta and has held newsroom leadership roles in multiple cities, will serve as vice president and news director for CBS Atlanta. Hoder is relocating to Atlanta from Pittsburgh, where he serves as vice president and news director for the CBS Pittsburgh duopoly, KDKA-TV and KDKA+. His first day in Atlanta will be Aug. 18, and he will report to Tom Canedo.
Barbara Roeder, who brings nearly 30 years of experience in the Atlanta media market, will be the vice president of sales at CBS Atlanta. Roeder previously spent 15 years at WUPA and has also held leadership roles in Orlando, Fla.; Seattle; Washington, D.C.; Columbus, Ohio; and Tampa, Fla. After serving as director of sales for FanDuel Sports Network, she is rejoining CBS. Roeder's first day at CBS Atlanta will be Aug. 18, and she will also report to Tom Canedo.
The network affiliation change for CBS Atlanta is set for Aug. 16. Meanwhile, Gray Media-owned WANF, the CBS affiliate for 31 years, is transitioning to a local news-focused independent station named Atlanta News First.
This transition represents a commitment to local journalism and community connection, with Tom Canedo expressing his confidence in Hoder's editorial leadership and Roeder's strategic sales expertise. The new leadership team is poised to build a station that truly reflects and serves the Atlanta community.
- The transition of WUPA to CBS Atlanta signifies a digital shift in media, as underscored by Jennifer Mitchell, the president of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital.
- In the realm of business and finance, this rebranding is a significant investment, emphasized by the same CBS executive, reflecting their commitment to the Atlanta community.
- The new station, CBS Atlanta, will focus on high-quality video content, with Shawn Hoder at the helm as vice president and news director, having an extensive background in newsroom leadership.
- The strategic sales efforts will be spearheaded by Barbara Roeder, a seasoned media professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the Atlanta market, who will serve as vice president of sales for the new station.
- The transition to Ott (Over-The-Top) platforms is evident as the new station aims to cater to entertainment and news lovers, providing a strong local presence within the competitive digital media landscape.
