St. Louis sales executive to head KCTV

By AARON BARNHART

The Kansas City Star

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Robert G. Totsch, a 21-year veteran of the St. Louis CBS affiliate KMOV-TV, is moving across the state to run KCTV and KSMO-TV.

Meredith Corp., based in Des Moines, Iowa, announced that Totsch, 46, who is currently KMOV’s director of sales, marketing, promotions and Internet, will replace Kirk Black at the end of October.

In August, Black was named the general manager of Meredith’s flagship station in Atlanta.

“Kansas City — I’ve got a lot of friends and business associates over there,” Totsch said in an interview Wednesday. “Kirk Black did a great job of growing all aspects of that television station. Those are big shoes to fill. My goal is to continue to do the things that Kirk did, but to add my own stamp.”

In a prepared statement, Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith’s Local Media Group, praised Totsch for his “proven ability to sell marketing programs across all media platforms.”

Totsch had three producer credits at KMOV, including a local youth talent competition and the St. Louis version of “Harrah’s Lucky Break,” a game show.

Totsch, a native of Belleville, Ill., graduated from the University of Missouri and shortly after that took a job at KMOV, which is owned by Belo Corp., the Texas-based newspaper and TV giant founded in 1842.

“One of the reasons this is an easy transition for me is that both companies set the standard for integrity and values, especially when it comes to their news,” Totsch said. “I’m proud to have worked for Belo and will be proud to work for Meredith.”

To reach Aaron Barnhart, send e-mail to tvbarn@gmail.com.

Posted on Wed, Oct. 07, 2009 11:03 PM

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