CBS Media Relations Exec John Wentworth to Retire After 33 Years

It’s a wrap for John Wentworth at CBS.

The veteran public relations executive announced Tuesday that he will leave his post as executive vice president of communications at CBS Television Distribution in March 2017, ending a 33-year career at CBS and Paramount.

In an email, Wentworth wrote that the interval “gives the company time to plan for my succession and gives me the chance to orderly transition my responsibilities to get ready for life outside CBS.” His exit was confirmed separately by another source at the company.

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Wentworth has worked on media relations for some of the biggest hits on TV, including “Judge Judy,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “Dr. Phil.”

The full text of his email follows:

Good news!

In my position, the news isn’t and shouldn’t be about me. But today it is. I want you to know that I have let my bosses and colleagues know that in March 2017, I will retire from CBS. This notice gives the company time to plan for my succession and gives me the chance to orderly transition my responsibilities to get ready for life outside CBS.

33 years ago this month I started with Paramount TV and continued with CBS on an incredible journey. Working with all of the amazing executives, talent, colleagues, shows, media and projects made this wide-eyed Emerson College graduate’s career dreams come true! The experiences were literally life-changing, the friends I’ve made have been life-long and the gratitude I feel toward everyone along the way is real and deep and sincere.

I have been thinking about this for many months so I’m ready and excited to move into the next chapter of my life. And while I will be retiring from CBS (it actually sounds a bit better to say “semi-retiring!”), I don’t plan to retire from working. There are ideas and passions to pursue, hopefully not too far from all of you.

I’ve got plenty of work to do until next Spring, so you’ll find me right here in my office (although don’t be too surprised to see my Out Of Office letting you know I’m using up some of my vacation time!).

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and, well, thanks for everything.

John A. Wentworth