Draft:Jack Wakshlag
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short description|American media research executive and academic}}
Jack Wakshlag | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Media research executive, academic |
| Known for | Chief Research Officer at Turner Broadcasting System |
Jack Wakshlag is an American media research executive and academic, best known for his tenure as Chief Research Officer (CRO) at Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. where he played a key role in the development of audience measurement, cross-platform analytics, and advertising innovation across the company’s television and digital networks.
Early life and education
[edit]Little has been published about Wakshlag’s early life. He earned his doctorate in communication from Michigan State University, focusing on media research and audience behavior.[1]
Academic career
[edit]Before entering the corporate media sector, Wakshlag served as an associate professor of telecommunications at Indiana University Bloomington from 1977 to 1986.[2] During this period, he published research on television viewing patterns, audience engagement, and the psychology of media consumption.
Television and media career
[edit]CBS and The WB
[edit]In the late 1980s, Wakshlag joined CBS, working in the research department under David Poltrack, the network’s longtime head of research.[3] He later became Head of Research at The WB Television Network, where he helped refine the network’s audience measurement strategies and demographic targeting during the 1990s.[4]
Turner Broadcasting System
[edit]Wakshlag joined Turner Broadcasting System in 2002 as Chief Research Officer, a position he held until his retirement in 2014.[5] In this role, he oversaw domestic and international research covering audience development, marketing, distribution, sales, and digital analytics across brands such as CNN, TNT, TBS, and Cartoon Network.[6]
Under Wakshlag’s leadership, Turner’s research division introduced several influential measurement and advertising initiatives, including:
- Digital Ad Load Testing
- Extended Homes and Extended Screen measurement
- NCAA Cross-Platform Analytics
- CNN All Screen
- Advanced Media Targeting[1]
Wakshlag also oversaw the “TV in Context” initiative, which studied how advertising performed when placed in contextually relevant programming.[6] This work anticipated trends in programmatic and contextual advertising that later became standard industry practice.
Industry service and leadership
[edit]Wakshlag served as chair of the Media Consumption & Engagement Committee of the Council for Research Excellence, funded by Nielsen.[7] He has also been a board member of the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA).[8]
Industry peers have cited him as an influential mentor and thought leader in media analytics. Turner executive Kelly Regal described him as “one of the most influential research executives in television.”[5]
Retirement and legacy
[edit]Wakshlag announced his retirement from Turner Broadcasting in March 2014, stating that he planned to explore new ventures and personal interests.[1] His 12-year tenure at Turner helped establish new standards for cross-platform measurement and audience monetization, influencing how networks and advertisers evaluate engagement in the digital era.[4]
Selected works and appearances
[edit]- Wakshlag, J. (Interview). Research & Analytics Inside Turner Broadcasting (Video, 2012).
- Numerous academic and trade articles on audience measurement, published through the Broadcast Education Association and the Advertising Research Foundation.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Turner's Wakshlag Steps Down After 12 Years". MRWeb. March 2014.
- ^ "Indiana University Faculty Records, Telecommunications Department". Indiana University Archives.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "CBS's Dave Poltrack – The Man, The Mentor, The Mentee". MediaVillage.
- ^ a b "WB Research and Ratings Strategy". Broadcasting & Cable. 1998.
- ^ a b "Turner Research Guru Wakshlag Stepping Down". NextTV. March 2014.
- ^ a b "Q&A with Turner's Jack Wakshlag". Cablefax. 2013.
- ^ "Council for Research Excellence Committee Listings, 2012–2014". Council for Research Excellence.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Advertising Research Foundation Board Directory, 2013". ARF.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help)
External links
[edit]
Category:American media executives
Category:American television executives
Category:Indiana University faculty
Category:Michigan State University alumni
Category:Living people
Category:Turner Broadcasting System people
Category:Advertising researchers