Longtime cable executive Greg Bicket has been named president of Cox Target Media, provider of the familiar blue Valpak coupons, after being interim president since November 2008.
Bicket had been senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications' New Orleans metro cable system where he led the system's recovery from the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Cox Target Media is part of Cox Newspapers which, like the Cox cable operations, is owned by Cox Enterprises.
Earlier in his career, he ran TCI Argentina, wireless-cable provider CAI Wireless in Albany, N.Y., and was VP of operations at Daniels & Associates, in addition to executive stints at United Artists Cable and Harron Communications, all of which earned him entry into the Cable TV Pioneers group last year.
"Greg's leadership success with Cox Communications demonstrates his proven ability to develop and expand organizations," John Dyer, executive vice president and CFO of Cox Enterprises, said in a release. "He has the experience, leadership and vision to guide Valpak through the challenging economy and emerge as a larger, stronger, growing business."
Valpak has in the direct marketing industry for 40 years and reaches millions of consumers monthly through Valpak direct mail and Valpak.com. It distributes some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 521 million envelopes.
"Coupons are more relevant than ever before," Bicket said in the release. "People are searching for ways to save money on products and services, and businesses are looking for cost-effective, measurable media to attract customers. That's exactly what Valpak does best - connect advertisers and consumers so everyone wins. There couldn't be a better time to be in Valpak."
Mike Latino, VP of field engineering at the New Orleans system, has been acting general manager since Bicket moved to Cox Target Media.
