Press Releases August 27, 2026 03:30 PM

Scripps taps NBCU sales veteran to lead small and medium business growth and direct response advertising

Scripps appoints media sales veteran Jen Carfley to lead SMB growth and direct response advertising

By Ajmal Hussain
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The E.W. Scripps Company has hired Jen Carfley, formerly of NBCUniversal, as head of small and medium business growth and direct response advertising. Carfley will develop enterprise-wide strategies to connect SMB advertisers with Scripps' premium video inventory across multiple platforms, including local, national, linear, and connected TV. She will also lead direct response advertising for Scripps' ION and Bounce networks, aiming to simplify access for performance brands and enhance advertising effectiveness.

Scripps taps NBCU sales veteran to lead small and medium business growth and direct response advertising
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Key Points

  • Jen Carfley appointed to newly created leadership role focused on SMB growth and direct response advertising.
  • Her experience spans linear, digital, and streaming media platforms including NBCUniversal, Sling TV, and Dish Media Sales.
  • Strategic focus on making Scripps' premium video inventory more accessible and measurable for SMBs and performance marketers, including sports content.

NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has appointed Jen Carfley, a seasoned media sales leader, as head of small and medium business growth (SMB) and direct response advertising, effective immediately.

In this newly created role, Carfley will lead the company’s enterprise-wide strategy to connect growth-focused advertisers with Scripps’ premium video inventory – including sports, news and entertainment – and performance-driven television advertising solutions across its local, national, linear and connected TV platforms. As part of that work, beginning next year, Carfley will lead direct response advertising for Scripps’ ION and Bounce networks, while Scripps’ longtime partner Marathon Ventures will continue overseeing those efforts for Grit, ION Mystery, ION Plus and Laff.

Carfley brings more than 15 years of media and advertising sales experience across linear, digital and streaming platforms. She most recently served as vice president of the SMB growth team within NBCUniversal’s advertising and partnerships division. Before joining NBCUniversal, Carfley held sales and direct response leadership roles at Sling TV and Dish Media Sales, Defy Media – a content creation company – and BBC America and BBC World News. At BBC America and BBC World News, she founded and led the performance media division within the ad sales team.

Based in New York, Carfley reports to Brian Norris, Scripps’ chief revenue officer.

“Jen brings the strategic vision, growth mindset and proven execution we need to accelerate growth across SMB and performance advertising,” said Norris. “Her experience across linear and connected TV will help us make Scripps’ premium video inventory easier to access and easier to buy, including creating simpler pathways for performance brands to participate in premium live sports. She will help us create stronger connections between advertisers and engaged audiences while giving small and medium-sized businesses, mid-market advertisers and performance marketers more flexible, measurable ways to grow their businesses.”

Carfley earned her Bachelor of Science in sports management and marketing from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

Media contact: Becca McCarter, The E.W. Scripps Company, (513) 410-2425, [email protected]

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating connection. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of about 60 stations in 40 markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlet Scripps News and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, ION Mystery, ION Plus and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach of up to 100% of TV households. Founded in 1878, Scripps is the steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and its longtime motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.” 

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e880467b-04d9-405f-96bb-7cc4731a9d86


Risks

  • Effectiveness of new advertising strategies in growing SMB revenue is uncertain and depends on adoption by advertisers.
  • Competition in the advertising and media sales sector from other large broadcasters and digital platforms could limit growth.
  • Transitioning direct response advertising leadership for some networks may disrupt existing partnerships, such as with Marathon Ventures.

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