The announcements were part of a major restructuring of the company’s senior leadership.
Franklin will replace Sandy Schwartz, who has been named president of Manheim. Schwartz follows Dean Eisner, who announced his retirement from Cox. Schwartz and Franklin will report to Jimmy Hayes, president and chief executive officer of Cox Enterprises.
All organizational changes are effective immediately.
Returning to Atlanta, Taylor will assume the role of executive vice president of Cox Media Group, having integrated the Dayton Daily News, WHIO-TV and Cox Radio stations in Dayton. Taylor previously served as publisher of the Palm Beach Post and The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction and vice president and general manager at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He will be over both the Atlanta and Dayton media companies. No decision has been made about his replacement in Dayton, the company said.
In his new role, Franklin will be responsible for managing Cox Media Group (CMG), Cox Enterprises’ integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media subsidiary. CMG operates 15 broadcast television stations; 86 radio stations; eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications; more than 100 digital services; and Cox Reps. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America.
“Doug is a seasoned veteran with a great understanding of our CMG properties and a great vision for their future,” said Hayes. “He has played a major role in the integration and transformation of our media businesses and I am confident in his ability to lead them to continued success.”
Franklin joined Cox more than 30 years ago as a door-to-door circulation solicitor in Dayton. He’s been president and CEO of Cox Ohio Publishing and publisher of the Dayton Daily News, as well as publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Palm Beach Post. Franklin most recently served as executive vice president of Cox Media Group where his responsibilities included overseeing radio, television, newspaper and digital operations.
Schwartz has been appointed president of Cox subsidiary, Manheim. Manheim is the world’s leading provider of vehicle remarketing services.
Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues of nearly $15 billion and more than 60,000 employees, the company’s major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications, Inc. (cable television distribution, telephone, high-speed Internet access, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Manheim, Inc. (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); Cox Media Group, Inc. (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers, advertising sales rep firms, Valpak and Cox Digital Solutions); and AutoTrader.com (online automotive advertising and Kelley Blue Book, vAuto and HomeNet Automotive subsidiaries). Additionally, Cox operates Kudzu.com.
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