retiring

The 40-year industry icon is taking on a leadership role in his church.

The leader of America’s Public Television Stations will stay on through the selection of his successor but no later than the end of next year.

Sony Pictures Television‘s longtime head of production Ed Lammi is retiring at the end of this year, following a 36-year run at the studio and 28 years in his current position. No details were immediately available regarding who will replace Lammi as executive vice president of production, a role he has held since 1995. A source says plans have not yet been set for that transition, and Lammi will remain at his post through December.

Longtime media attorney Jonathan Allen will succeed him at the end of the year.

Longtime ESPN communications chief Chris LaPlaca will retire at the end of the year after spending more than 43 years at the company. ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro announced the news of LaPlaca’s impending departure earlier today in a memo sent to ESPN’s staff. LaPlaca, the company’s SVP/corporate communications, is the longest tenured behind-the-scenes employee currently at ESPN, having started there in July 1980 — only nine months after the channel first went on the air.

I caught up with John Baldwin and asked what words he might impart to the local TV promotion community. “Writing is the most important part of it,” he says. “Be creative and put it down on paper and then step back and look at it and think, does this sell the aspects that you were hoping to sell to the viewer. If the answer is yes, then go for it.”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) announced Wednesday he will retire from the Senate at the end of his term, dealing moderate Republicans and those opposed to former President Trump a major blow.

Julio Marenghi, CBS Television Stations president of sales, will retire as of Oct. 1. He’s been at the CBS group for 14 years, including a run as WBZ Boston general manager.

He will step down as head of the Morris Multimedia CBS affiliate and will be succeeded by Dan Howard, current general sales manager.

The veteran exec has held that spot since 1997 and has been at the station group since 1991.

“As the walrus said, after 47 years in broadcasting, the time has come,” Deushane, 66, wrote to staff in a memo Tuesday. “Effective Aug. 4, retirement’s siren call will be answered. While there have been wonderful moments throughout my career, I can without equivocation say that the past 13 years at 11Alive have been the most rewarding. And that’s because of the opportunity to work with so many passionate and dedicated professionals like each of you.”

The current assistant news director will succeed Doug Bannard who is retiring after 33 years at the Fox-owned duopoly.

She’s stepping down from the duopoly after 28 years with Fox Television Stations.

The Fox Television Stations veteran will step down at the end of June after leading the company’s Chicago duopoly for 10 years and serving FTS for 26 years.

The longtime Wheel of Fortune host announced on Twitter Monday that the syndicated staple’s upcoming season will be his last as host. “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all,” the tweet said.

John Rouse, who has been with The Walt Disney Co. for the past 33 years, most recently as EVP of affiliate relations for the ABC Television Network, is stepping down at the end of July. Rouse announced his upcoming retirement Wednesday in a note to ABC affiliates and station group heads. The position, which reports to Justin Connolly, president, Disney Platform Distribution, will be refilled.