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James Rosenfield Sr., CBS Executive, Dies at 97
Confirmed
In Short: James Rosenfield Sr., former executive vice president of CBS Broadcast Group, died on September 26.
James Rosenfield Sr., a former executive vice president of CBS Broadcast Group, died on September 26 at the age of 97.
Rosenfield's career at CBS spanned two decades, starting as an account executive in network sales in 1965 and rising to president of the CBS Television Network in 1977.
In 1981, he was named executive vice president of the CBS Broadcast Group, overseeing key operating divisions such as CBS Television Network, CBS News, CBS Entertainment, and CBS Sports.
He was mentored by CBS founder William S. Paley and played a significant role in shaping the network during its transformative years in the 1970s and 1980s.
Rosenfield was known for his contributions to iconic CBS programs like '60 Minutes,' 'M*A*S*H,' and 'All in the Family.
After retiring from CBS in 1985, Rosenfield became chairman and CEO of John Blair Communications, a national sales representative for local TV stations.
He later founded JHR Associates, where he consulted with traditional and new media companies, including broadcasting, cable, interactive, internet, and games.
Rosenfield was a founding board member and later chairman emeritus of Reisenbach Philanthropies, an organization dedicated to the memory of John Reisenbach, son of his friend Sanford Reisenbach.
He is survived by his partner, Charlotte Rosenblatt, his children Laurie Rosenfield and Jim Rosenfield Jr., five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rosenfield’s memory to The Reisenbach Philanthropies.
What's confirmed
- Rosenfield rose from an account executive in television network sales to President of the CBS Television Network and ultimately Executive Vice President of the CBS Broadcast Group, with responsibility for the network’s key operating divisions, including CBS Television Network, CBS News, CBS Entertainment and CBS Sports.
- Rosenfield is survived by his partner, Charlotte Rosenblatt; his daughter, Laurie Rosenfield, and son-in-law, Peter Falk; his son, Jim Rosenfield Jr., and his wife, Dana Conroy; his grandchildren, Jamie, Kitt, Kristen, Kerrin and Kendall; his five great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Clare Rosenfield and his nieces and nephews.
- After he retired from CBS in 1985, Rosenfield became chairman and CEO of John Blair Communications, a national sales representative for local TV stations.
What's still developing
- “The creative department wasn’t thrilled that they were reporting to this suit from New York,” recalled Rosenfield.
- Rosenfield “was steeped in the world of media and advertising during its storied Mad Men era and delighted in regaling his family with stories from those years,” his family noted.
- He tapped Rosenfield for an early assignment taking responsibility for the company’s sales relationship with Grey Advertising.
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