Bill Appleton retiring as Scripps' chief legal officer; Dave Giles appointed to succeed him

Rhea-AI Summary

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) announces the retirement of Chief Legal Officer Bill Appleton at the end of 2024. Deputy General Counsel Dave Giles is appointed to replace him. Appleton's significant contributions include facilitating major acquisitions and transformative transactions, while Giles has extensive experience in media law and regulatory issues.

CINCINNATI, Jan. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Appleton, chief legal officer for The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), will retire at the end of 2024, and the company has appointed Deputy General Counsel Dave Giles to replace him.

Appleton joined Scripps in 2008 and has counseled its leadership team on every major decision since then. He helped facilitate successful acquisitions of McGraw Hill (2011), Granite Broadcasting (2014), Newsy (2014), Midroll (2015), Triton Digital (2017), Nexstar-Tribune spinoff stations (2018) and Cordillera (2019).

In addition, Appleton was a key architect of the company's 2015 transaction that spun off Scripps' newspapers to merge with Journal Communications' newspapers and brought Journal Communications' television stations into a merger with Scripps' stations. He also led the legal proceedings for the 2021 acquisition of ION Media, a transformative transaction for Scripps.

Appleton worked closely with the company and the Scripps family for many years before joining the company. He served as outside corporate legal counsel for 30 years with Baker Hostetler, leading legal proceedings for Scripps' initial public offering in 1988 and for the 2008 spinoff that split the company into two public companies – The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Networks Interactive.

"Bill's steady hand has guided every transformation of the company for decades, and we would not be the enterprise we are today without his brilliant legal mind and incredible work ethic," said Adam Symson, Scripps' president and CEO. "I am incredibly grateful for his wise counsel."

Giles has led Scripps in the areas of media law, defense of the First Amendment and intellectual property and litigation, antitrust and regulatory issues involving the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. He has also served as the company's chief ethics officer and overseen Scripps' employment and labor practice.  

Giles was chair of the American Bar Association's Forum on Communications Law from 2018 to 2020 and is currently on the board of Cincinnati Public Radio.

Prior to joining Scripps in 2004, Giles was an attorney with Baker Hostetler. Before law school, he was a reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer and USA Today.

"Dave has been a strong contributor to our company for many years, and his impeccable discernment and integrity are widely respected," Symson said. "Dave will work closely with Bill to ensure a smooth transition, and I know we will remain in good hands."

Media contact: Michael Perry, (513) 259-4718, michael.perry@scripps.com

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation's largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps' long-time motto is: "Give light and the people will find their own way."

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company

FAQ

When will Bill Appleton retire from The E.W. Scripps Company?

Bill Appleton will retire at the end of 2024.

Who is appointed to replace Bill Appleton as Chief Legal Officer?

Deputy General Counsel Dave Giles is appointed to replace him.

What is the ticker symbol for The E.W. Scripps Company?

The ticker symbol for The E.W. Scripps Company is SSP.

What are some of the major acquisitions facilitated by Bill Appleton?

Appleton facilitated successful acquisitions of McGraw Hill (2011), Granite Broadcasting (2014), Newsy (2014), Midroll (2015), Triton Digital (2017), Nexstar-Tribune spinoff stations (2018), and Cordillera (2019).

What was the transformative transaction for The E.W. Scripps Company in 2021?

The transformative transaction for Scripps was the acquisition of ION Media.