NBC6 goes all out, creates Digital media department

Someone anonymous sent me a press release from NBC6 on their new ‘Digital media department’. Jose Suarez, currently executive producer of the evening news, will be heading the new department, his role in which will be creating more content for NBC6.net.

I’ll reserve judgment untill I see what they have in mind, hopefully they won’t be trying to be my
local-national-world-entertainment-weather-sports-everything-else site.

PR release after the jump /excuse the formatting, it got borked by my email client/

NBC 6 DIGITAL MEDIA DEPARTMENT IS FIRST IN SOUTH FLORIDA: JOSE SUAREZ NAMED DIRECTORMiramar, Fl (April 5, 2006)

The creation of a Digital Media department at NBC 6, a first among South Florida-s television stations, was announced this week, launching the next growth phase for the station and confirming its commitment to meeting viewers- content expectations?

“Digital technology and an ever-growing variety of programming and information platforms, represent the most exciting areas of growth for our business” declared Ardyth Diercks, NBC 6 President and General Manager. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this challenging next phase in the evolution of South Florida-s highly competitive television market, and it is our respect for our audience and for the station-s legacy as an industry innovator that will drive this initiative” added Diercks.

Leading the newly created department is Director of Digital Media Jose Suarez who will report directly to Diercks. Suarez has served as Executive Producer of the NBC 6 evening newscasts since he returned to Miami one year ago. Prior to coming to NBC 6, Suarez worked at Fox affiliate WUPW-TV where he became the youngest News Director in the Toledo, Ohio television market and where he is credited for having brought creativity and innovation to that television station. A native of Miami, Florida, Suarez is a three time regional EMMY Award winner.

Suarez-s new role includes direct responsibility for the station-s website and creating content and unique opportunities that the audience will be able to find only on NBC6.net. Under his supervision, the website just launched a new look with more video, more links and more of what consumers are demanding. “Our goal is to not just mirror what-s available on the television station, but to be a source of original programming, information, and entertainment, accessible to everyone in South Florida on the platforms of their choice” said Suarez.

“Jose-s experience in news, his leadership qualities, his knowledge and interest in the digital world and his boundless energy and enthusiasm, made him the natural candidate for this newly created position and I’m confident that under his direction NBC 6 will be able to build an even more relevant connection to our local community” said Ardyth Diercks in announcing Suarez-s appointment.