Vinnie Malcolm exits KTLA

Move represents first change from Ed Wilson

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Vinnie Malcolm is out as vice president/g.m. at Tribune's Los Angeles-based KTLA.

Move reps the first major change by new Tribune station group chief Ed Wilson, who joined the company from Fox earlier this month.

Tribune Broadcasting exec VP John Vitanovec will serve as interim general manager at the station as the company scouts for Malcolm's replacement.

Malcolm had been VP-g.m. of KTLA since 2004, replacing John Reardon, who went on to serve as prexy-CEO of Tribune's broadcast group. Reardon was recently replaced by Wilson.

Move is the latest change since new Tribune honcho Sam Zell brought in Randy Michaels to serve as the company's chief executive of interactive and broadcasting.

"Vinnie's been a part of KTLA for almost 15 years and has put in a great deal of effort and hard work here at the station," Wilson said in a note to KTLA employees. "There is real upside at the station, and I know there are great things ahead."

Under Malcolm, KTLA recently navigated the passing of legendary anchor Hal Fishman, and more recently, the defection of longtime "KTLA Morning News" anchor Carlos Amezcua to rival KTTV. Station also experienced the switchover from the WB to the CW and rebranded itself under the tagline "Where L.A. lives."

Malcolm previously served as station manager, and before that, general sales manager at KTLA.