Troy, NY and Arlington, VA; December 1, 2016 – Today, WMHT Public Media and PBS Distribution (PBSd), the leading media distributor for the public television community, announced that WMHT Executive Vice President Scott Sauer has been named Vice President, Partnerships at PBSd and will join PBSd on January 3, 2017. In this newly created role, Sauer will manage key business relationships related to programming, incentives and fulfillment to ensure that PBS stations have resources that align with the PBS brand and support effective on-air fundraising campaigns.
Given its role as an important source of fundraising-related DVD titles, PBSd decided to create this position to better serve the needs of stations. Sauer will work closely with PBS Fundraising Programming, stations, producers, vendors and other stakeholders to develop programs and products that drive positive fundraising results at the local level.
Sauer will also provide strategic direction and support in developing digital download capabilities and other forward-looking initiatives to keep pace with viewers’ changing expectations. Building on his experience as an award-winning chief development officer, Sauer will represent PBSd on public television advisory groups and committees regarding on-air fundraising across the system.
“A key part of our mission at PBS Distribution is generating revenue for the public television system, stations and producers,” said Andrea Downing, Co-President, PBS Distribution. “We are delighted to bring Scott onboard to help ensure that PBSd is delivering successful opportunities for stations in an integrated and strategic way.”
“Scott is one of the most respected professionals in public television and we are thrilled that he is joining the PBSd team,” said David Bernstein, Co-President, PBS Distribution. “Working with PBS Fundraising Programming, he will build a pipeline of programming that reflects the PBS core schedule and supports stations’ on-air drives. Scott understands the needs of stations and will bring a knowledgeable perspective to the array of services we provide.”
Robert Altman, WMHT President and CEO, said “Scott has served WMHT for 25 years in a variety of development, programming, production and communications roles. His work has helped WMHT to focus on Community, Culture and Connections while serving audience members throughout eastern New York State and western New England. We look forward to working with him in his new role at PBSd.”
“I am truly excited to take on this role,” said Sauer. “On-air fundraising is a key part of stations’ fundraising activities, so the programs and related tools and services available must be top quality and cost effective. My goal is to provide stations with the resources they need to meet their membership goals, and ultimately to help increase public television membership and revenues for stations.”
Sauer will retain his residence in Delmar and work remotely for PBSd. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.
