Mike Scott: Retiring GM at KY3-TV |
Mike Scott, President and General Manager of KY3. Inc. in Springfield, Mo. retired effective March 31.
“I have been proud to call this home for the past 21 years,” Scott said, “and I have especially enjoyed the last 15 years as president and general manager. I have always felt I have had the best job in town because of the people I have represented during my tenure at KY3, Inc.”
Under Scott’s leadership, KY3 has had unprecedented growth and success, solidifying its reputation as a leader in quality local journalism. KY3 continues to be the dominant local television station in the Ozarks and has built a national reputation as well.
In the November ratings period, KY3 was the top NBC affiliate in local news in the top 100 markets. KSPR has also seen solid growth and has provided viewers with increased quality newscasts.
Year after year, both KY3 and KSPR have been honored for excellence in journalism, garnering numerous Missouri Broadcasters Association awards, Emmy awards, Associated Press awards, and Edward R. Murrow awards.
KY3, Inc. has also earned the reputation as a leader in community service.
“I am proud of our public service commitment,” Scott said, “including our work with Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude, Oscar Night America and The American Cancer Society.”
In 2010, KY3 launched Ozarks Honor Flight which, to date, has raised over a half a million dollars and sent over 500 World War II veterans to see their monument in Washington D.C., at no cost to themselves. “It has been extremely rewarding to be part of honoring these American heroes,” Scott said. “It is recognition that is long overdue, and we are proud to help make this a reality.”
Scott joined KY3 as an account executive in January, 1990, and became Local Sales Manager later that year. In 1991 he was elevated to General Sales Manager and in 1996 was made President and General Manager.
During his tenure, Scott oversaw the construction and move of KY3 into its current location on Sunshine Street. He started two multicast stations, KY3 24/7 and The Ozarks CW.
In 2006 KY3 took over operations of KSPR-TV in Springfield under a Shared Services Agreement and an Advertising Representative Agreement with Perkin Media LLC. This was followed by construction of an addition to the KY3 building and the relocation of KSPR there in 2009 in state-of-the-art studios.
KSPR became the first station to broadcast local news in high-definition, followed shortly by KY3. They are currently the only two stations in the market to have HD newscasts.
KY3, Inc. continues its growth in digital platforms. The company operates eight websites including the most visited news site in Springfield.
Scott will not completely retire from television. He will serve KY3, Inc. owner, Schurz Communications, in a consulting role.
Schurz Communications Senior Vice President Marci Burdick said, “Mike Scott will leave KY3, Inc. as one of the longest serving and most successful general managers in the company’s 57 year history. He will leave the company not only better than he found it, but much larger. It was Mike’s vision and creativity that led to the acquisitions of The Ozarks CW and KSPR and the creation of the Branson Visitor TV channel.”
