Cox Media Group names Karen Bennett to new role

Cox Media Group has named Karen Bennett as its new senior vice president and chief HR officer, effective Nov. 9.  She succeeds Deborah Thomas, who is retiring from the company after more than 12 years.

Bennett previously served as senior vice president and chief HR officer for YP (formerly AT&T Ad Solutions), the ninth-largest digital media company in the United States. She is a business executive with 25 years of human resources success at Fortune 500 companies as an architect of human capital strategy and executional plans in all areas of HR.

"Karen will continue the amazing momentum Deborah Thomas and her team began more than five years ago, when CMG integrated our award-winning broadcast, print and digital media brands, and she will take us to the next level," said CMG President Bill Hoffman. "She has the background, style and competitive juices to be a perfect fit on our executive team. Deborah Thomas was a special teammate. She was smart, strategic and cared so much for our media businesses. Karen will carry on that tradition of strong HR leadership and business partnership."

Bennett said, "I am thrilled to join Cox Media Group. As an Atlanta native, I have always admired the Cox family of brands and the culture fostered with its employees." She added, "I look forward to helping the company win with its people in this changing media landscape."

Prior to joining YP in 2013, Bennett was senior vice president of human resources for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., for almost 14 years.  At Turner, she helped build many HR functions across the various lines of business. Bennett earned both an Executive M.B.A. and a B.B.A. degree from the Terry College of Business of the University of Georgia.

THOMAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Earlier this year, Deborah Thomas announced she will be retiring from CMG after more than 12 years with the company.  Thomas began her media career with Cox in 2003 and, prior to her current role, held the position of vice president, human resources for three other Cox Divisions – Television, Radio and Autotrader.

"Deborah has been a stalwart business partner to the executive and field leadership teams, as well as many others across our organization," said Hoffman.  "She also has been a tireless champion of CMG's talent initiatives with a keen focus on ensuring we have the best and brightest people in the right jobs at the right time so we can compete in this ever-evolving media marketplace."