Veteran ABC Sales Exec John Watkins Announces Retirement

Respected television sales executive John Watkins, the president of ABC Owned Television Stations National Television Sales, announced today that he will retire at the end of January.

"I've had the great privilege of working for ABC for almost 42 years," said Mr. Watkins. "It is an amazing company, and I have been extremely fortunate to work with some of the most superb executives in the television business. I'm sure the National TV Sales group will continue to thrive through the efforts of our exceptionally talented sales staff."

In commenting on the announcement, Rebecca Campbell, president of the ABC Owned Television Stations, said: "John has built our National TV Sales Group into one that is recognized as the best in the business. And although we are all sorry to see him go, we have been so fortunate to have John in this role for the past 27 years and with our company for more than four decades."

A replacement for Mr. Watkins will be named in the near future.

Mr. Watkins has served as president of National TV Sales since February 1986. In this position, Mr. Watkins oversaw national sales representation for the eight ABC Owned Television Stations, including WABC-TV New York; KABC-TV Los Angeles; WLS-TV Chicago; WPVI-TV Philadelphia; KGO-TV San Francisco; KTRK-TV Houston; WTVD Raleigh-Durham, NC and KFSN-TV Fresno, CA.

In addition, Mr. Watkins was responsible for various specialized sales units under the ABC National Television Sales umbrella, including Full Circle Sales, Regional Sports and Entertainment Sales, and Internet Operations.

During a career with ABC that spans almost 42 years, Mr. Watkins has had a consistent track record of success, achieving a number of milestones within the sales and owned stations division. As general sales manager for WABC-TV New York, from 1981 to 1986, he achieved the highest billing record at that time for any television station in the country. While he was sales manager for ABC Spot Sales in Los Angeles, from 1979 to 1981, the division's sales revenues increased by some 60 percent.

Since joining ABC in 1972, Mr. Watkins also has held positions including local sales manager for WLS-TV Chicago, account executive for ABC Television Spot Sales, first in Los Angeles and then in New York, account executive for WLS-TV, director of research for ABC Spot Sales in Chicago and research analyst for ABC Spot Sales in New York.

Mr. Watkins served as an officer of the U.S. Navy after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Lynn, reside in Stamford, CT.