Very sad news to report: Ron Scalera, executive VP and director of the marketing group at CBS, passed away suddenly this morning. He was just 49.
"It is a day of profound sadness, shock and loss at CBS," said Leslie Moonves, president & CEO, CBS Corporation. "We have lost a gifted colleague and a friend whose work graced the air of CBS every day, and whose engaging p
ersonality touched our lives. The creativity, energy and passion Ron put into his work will be sorely missed – from his brilliant on-air work and upfront presentations, to new and innovative forms of promotion. The level of admiration and respect he has here is exceeded only by the number of close friends who will remember a wonderful person who did everything at full speed, energizing and inspiring those around him."
Moonves said CBS’s "deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his wife Elizabeth and his children, Rachel and Michael, whom we all know so well through the many loving and prideful conversations Ron shared about his family everyday.
"One of the true good guys has left us far too early and we grieve with all our hearts."
George Schweitzer, president of the CBS Marketing Group, said he and his team were "all in shock."
"Ron’s talent, imagination and creativity knew no bounds," he said. He blazed an incredible trail in our Company and our industry and he leaves a rich legacy. His fierce devotion to his job, his family and his friends touched us all. Simply put, Ron was a great guy and a great friend and we will miss him terribly."
Some bio info from CBS:
Scalera, who joined CBS in 1997 as Senior Vice President/Creative Director of Advertising and Promotion, helped make CBS "America’s Most Watched Network" with the creation of branding and launch campaigns for many successful series, including the CSI franchise, "NCIS," "The Big Bang Theory," "The Good Wife" and, most recently, "Undercover Boss." He was promoted to his current position in the CBS Marketing Group in 2004.
As a key member of the CBS Marketing Group, Scalera was involved with sales promotion, affiliate promotion, Network creative services and all special events, including affiliate meetings and upfront presentations. Scalera also oversaw Eyelab, a digital promotion unit that produces and distributes short form videos to the CBS Audience Network, ultimately reaching hundreds of consumer web sites.
Scalera joined CBS from the FOX Broadcasting Company, where he served as Senior Vice President, On-Air Promotion from 1994-1997. Scalera was part of the FOX team that was voted "Marketing Team of the Year" in 1996 by Promax International, the association of promotion and marketing professionals in electronic media.
In 2003, Scalera was honored by Promax with a Brand Builders Award recognizing standout marketing and promotion executives in broadcast, cable television and program syndication. He also served on the trade group’s Board of Directors.
Scalera began his television career at FOX, starting as a Junior On-Air Writer/Producer at WNYW-TV, New York. In 1988, he became Writer/Producer, FOX Broadcasting Company, moving up the ranks to Vice President, On-Air Promotion in 1992 before being elevated to Senior Vice President in 1994.
Scalera earned a bachelor’s degree in English from William Paterson University in New Jersey, where he graduated cum laude with honors in humanities.
Born in Newark, N.J., he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and children Rachel, 13, and Michael, 10, of Encino, and his mother, Kathy, and brother, Paul, both of New Jersey.
Arrangements are pending.
