Bill Butler, VP Group Programming & Promotion,
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc
 As one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the U.S. today, Sinclair Broadcast Group owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 62 television stations in 39 markets. Sinclair's television group, which includes 20 FOX, 19 WB, 6 UPN, 8 ABC, 3 CBS, 4 NBC affiliates and 2 independent stations, reaches approximately 24% of all U.S. television households.
Working in collaboration with the group's two regional program directors -- Dave Howitt (of KRRT-TV, the UPN Affiliate located in San Antonio, Texas) and Tammy Dupuy (of WTTA-TV, the WB affiliate in Tampa Bay, Florida) - Bill Butler, Vice President, Group Programming and Promotion for Sinclair explains, "Tammy and Dave work with the stations directly on schedules and program needs, while I work with the stations as needed, and focus on schedules and negotiating the contracts." Butler is also charged with supervising the group's promotional activities.
Butler joined Sinclair seven years ago this coming February, from Los Angeles' KCAL TV, ironically, the last remaining independent television station in the market, where he served as program director. Prior to that, Butler was the programming and promotion director for WTXF in Philadelphia. As he elaborates on his earlier career moves by simply saying, "and a whole bunch of stuff before that," Butler has enjoyed long term relationships with many of the major distributors, whom he jokingly says, "know me and hate me."
Anticipating a flurry of phone calls over the holidays from distributors looking to confirm appointments before arriving in Las Vegas, Butler prefers to book the majority of his NATPE meetings in advance. "It's going to be a busy few days and I think you really should prioritize your objectives to get the most out of the convention. It's important that you also have time to wander around a bit, because that's often how you find some interesting things." And even though so much is done throughout the year, Butler believes it's still possible to find those little jewels at NATPE. Butler's strategy for making the most of his time at NATPE is to try to book meetings in clusters around a certain part of the exhibit hall or hotel on specific days, leaving himself time to "work the room."
With regard to the actual structure of the convention this January, Butler says, "Whatever is convenient and affordable works for me. And as it simplifies, there's a lot less hype. We try to get a lot done ahead of NATPE, so that the group negotiations with the major syndicators are done for the most part. If a major studio, however, has a late project, then we make a point of going to talk to them. Primarily, I want to make sure that everyone has access to the company. For us, NATPE is all about the distributors. NATPE is a good opportunity for those who can't get to Baltimore easily (Sinclair's headquarter location). It's an opportunity for them to meet with us on common ground, so to speak.
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