TV veteran to lead WFLA, Tribune advertising operations

The Florida Communications Group, parent company of The Tampa Tribune, WFLA-TV and TBO.com, has named syndicated TV veteran Mark Dvornik to lead WFLA and its sister production company, Riverbank Studios.

Dvornik, 48, started in his new job as president and general manager of the NBC affiliate and president of Riverbank on Thursday. In his new job, he'll have broad control over advertising operations of not only WFLA, but also the ad sales departments of the Tribune and TBO.com.

He will not, however, oversee any of the media outlets' news operations. Dvornik cut his teeth in television in syndication. He moved around the country working in regional offices of Paramount Pictures Television, selling syndicated programs such as "I Love Lucy" and "Entertainment Tonight" to local stations.

About three years ago, he left Paramount and helped create the Retro Television Network, which airs classic TV shows all day. He also consulted for the past year with Media General, the ultimate parent company of the Florida Communications Group and its media properties.

"Mark is a proven performer with a track record of driving profitable revenue as well as organizing and running best-in-class sales teams," said John Schueler, president of the Florida Communications Group.

Aside from boosting ad sales, Dvornik will be charged with creating more programming for Riverbank Studios and selling shows to stations in the United States and abroad. Riverbank Studios produces "Daytime," "Star Watch," "Reel Animals" and "Tail Fins and Chrome."

Dvornik recently has relocated to the Tampa Bay area from Dallas. Personally, he boasts of graduating from the same high school in Hawaii as Pres. Barack Obama and America Online co-founder Steve Case.

He also acknowledges his strong resemblance to golf broadcaster Jim Nantz.

Especially while he lived in Los Angeles, "I got that a lot," he said.