Shareolders approved the TEGNA to Standard General L.P. and Cox Media Group sale. Earlier in the year, Cox filed to spinoff 12 stations to Imagicomm. Last year Allen Media Broadcasting acquired Gray Television stations.

There are thousands of people involved in these transactions, many of which are early in their career and have never been involved in a sale like these. It's the unknown that creates and fuels the fear.

I've been involved in a number of transactions and been on both sides, been the target of the acquisition, been the acquirer. This would be my advice to those early career professionals working in any of these organizations.

First, no need to panic. I believe you can look at this an opportunity and let's face it, you're tired of the rumors anyway. Let's get on with it! One of four things are possible for you and you should be thinking and working all four scenarios .......

1. New Co. needs you, or at least most of you. They are buying a business to make money and that takes people. Only changes are the culture and name on the paycheck. For the mission critical staff there might even be a retention bonus if you stay through the sale. You are part of the transaction and the new company is buying YOU as well.

2. Your current employer needs you, just at another location. In this case for example, Cox moves you from Tulsa to Charlotte or Atlanta. You transfer and potentially relo internally before or at time of sale. This is not likely when the org is divesting of the entire business unless you are in administrative functions like accounting, HR, or IT.

3. You jump ship to another station in-market or beyond depending on your agreement(s). Unfortunately for most, your employment and talent agent agreements are assignable. The non-compete, non-disclosure, and non-solicit language will remain in place. You'll be taking your agent with you for this ride.

4. You take this as an opportunity to break from industry. Listen, the fact that these companies are divesting and agency owners like Napoli, 3 Kings, and Talent Dynamics sold should be a wake up call. The broadcast TV news business will continue to shrink in terms of the players. Many will however be going to companies with solid capital structures and that's a positive.

Summary, no need to panic, just time to get polished / packaged to turn this change into incredible opportunity for you. There is a strong likelihood that you will be interviewing internally even if you aren't looking externally. Get polished, be prepared. Those interviews could be as informal as a passing in the hall. Every impression is critical.

TalentBlvd.com is a free resource as the year unfolds and questions arise. Follow TalentBlvd and come join us https://lnkd.in/e5rPrVv

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