Leadership
Paul Curran
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Paul Curran is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox Media, where he is spearheading the company’s evolution into a future-ready, omnichannel advertising leader. Under his guidance, Cox Media has forged strategic partnerships with top cable and broadcast networks, dramatically expanding advertiser reach across local, regional, and national markets. Paul is also driving innovation in AI-powered creative solutions tailored for SMBs and enhancing data capabilities in addressable and programmatic advertising.
With a career rooted in media excellence, Paul previously served as EVP of Television for Cox Media Group, overseeing 27 stations and delivering record-breaking performance in revenue, ratings, and community engagement. His leadership journey includes roles as Market VP for CMG Orlando—where he led TV, radio, and event operations—and VP of Sales in Atlanta, managing cross-platform revenue across multiple media formats. He began his career with Cox as an Account Executive at KTVU (Fox) in San Francisco.
A graduate of Georgetown University with a degree in Government, Paul also serves on the board of the Video Advertising Bureau. His career is defined by a passion for innovation, strategic leadership, and a commitment to community impact—qualities that continue to shape the future of media and advertising.
Mike Zeigler
Vice President of Advertising Operations, Product, and Business Development
Mike Zeigler is the Vice President of Advertising Operations, Product, and Business Development at Cox Media, where he drives innovation in advertising technology, addressable TV, targeting data, and industry consortium initiatives. His experience includes leading national and field sales operations, product development, on-air operations in 19 television markets, and GreenHouse Labs—Cox Media’s innovation incubator. He also serves on the boards of Canoe Ventures and Ampersand, the ad sales consortium formed by Comcast, Cox, and Charter.
Mike played a pivotal role in transforming Cox Media’s operating model and product strategy, doubling its advertising footprint through new representation agreements, accelerating the shift to digital platforms, and enhancing the advertiser experience. Earlier, he held leadership roles at Upper Quadrant, a media analytics firm, and Noblestar, a global systems integrator. He began his career in trust investment management at SunTrust.
Beyond corporate leadership, Mike contributed to economic development with USAID, working in East Africa, developing agricultural cooperatives. He also mentors startups at the Cox Enterprises TechStars accelerator. His innovation efforts have been recognized with patents in addressable TV and media measurement.
Mike holds an MBA from Georgetown and recently completed executive education in AI and Private Equity/Venture Capital. The team Mike leads was awarded a 2020 Technology and Engineering Emmy® by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in advertising technology and media distribution.
Leslie Talansky
Vice President, West Region
Leslie Talansky is the Vice President for Cox Media’s West region, where she leads operations across California and Las Vegas with a people-first approach that fuels team success, client growth, and community impact. Known for cultivating high-performing cultures, Leslie empowers her teams to deliver innovative advertising solutions that drive measurable results.
With nearly 30 years at Cox Communications, Leslie’s career reflects deep expertise in media strategy and leadership. She previously held roles as Market Vice President and Director of Sales for Cox Media California, overseeing local, national, and digital sales. Her journey began as a Marketing Manager in Pensacola, Florida, and evolved into corporate leadership positions including Regional Marketing Director and Senior Director of Client Strategy.
Leslie has played a pivotal role in launching key initiatives such as ad-supported video-on-demand, interactive advertising, inside sales, lead generation, and national client solutions—each contributing to Cox Media’s growth and innovation.
A native New Yorker, Leslie began her career as a media buyer at J. Walter Thompson in Manhattan. She holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Marketing and remains active in the industry through her involvement with the WICT Network, Women in Cable Telecommunications.
Rich Barone
Vice President, Arizona Region
Rich Barone is the Vice President of Cox Media’s Arizona region, Political and National Sales, where he leads operations in Phoenix and Tucson with a focus on strategic growth, innovation, and community engagement. Since joining Cox in 2012 as Digital Sales Manager in San Diego, Rich has held key leadership roles including Director of Sales and Vice President, consistently driving transformation and performance across the region.
With over two decades of experience in media sales, Rich brings a deep understanding of both traditional and digital advertising. His career began in newspaper advertising before transitioning to broadcast media at NBC, giving him a well-rounded perspective on cross-platform solutions that deliver results for clients.
Rich is actively involved in shaping Arizona’s business and education landscape, serving on the Board of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Cronkite Endowment Board of Trustees at Arizona State University. His leadership and impact have been recognized with the Cox Media Torch Award—an honor he’s received three times (2017, 2020, 2023).
Outside of work, Rich is committed to his community, coaching youth sports and mentoring future leaders. His blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and local engagement makes him a driving force in Arizona’s media ecosystem.
Scott Burton
Vice President, Central Region
Scott Burton is the Vice President of Cox Media’s Central Region, where he leads high-performing teams across Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. A results-driven leader with a servant mindset, Scott fosters empowerment, engagement, and inclusion to drive operational excellence and accelerate regional growth.
Since joining Cox in 2007, Scott has held key leadership roles in Roanoke, Pensacola, Florida, and Georgia—now expanding his impact across the entire Central Region. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently delivered strong business results while cultivating high-performing, collaborative teams. With more than 25 years of experience in media sales, Scott began his career in newspaper advertising with Landmark Communications and Media General, where he helped guide teams through the industry's early shift to digital media.
Scott is also a passionate advocate for community and industry engagement. He has served on the advisory committee of First Tee New Orleans and was Chairman of the Board for the River Region Chamber of Commerce in 2022. He currently serves on the board of the Louisiana Children’s Museum. His leadership is defined by integrity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive.
Al Wiegert
Vice President, East Region
Al Wiegert is the Vice President of Cox Media’s East region, where he leads a dynamic team of advertising professionals across the Northeast, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. With a focus on strategic growth and client success, Al brings deep expertise in marketing, sales leadership, and cross-platform media solutions.
Al’s career began in the automotive industry, where he spent a decade in dealership and manufacturer roles. As Regional Marketing Manager for Subaru of America, he helped expand the brand across Southeastern markets through targeted advertising strategies. He later transitioned to media with Comcast Spotlight, first as Automotive Sales Manager—supporting local dealerships and launching Vehix.com in Atlanta—then as Local Sales Manager, where he led the company’s highest-billing team.
After nine successful years, Al was promoted to Director of Sales in Portland, Oregon, where he transformed the local team into a top performer in the West Division. His leadership style is rooted in team development, performance excellence, and client-focused innovation.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Advertising, Al continues to drive impact through strategic vision and a passion for helping businesses grow in an ever-evolving media landscape.
Anne Harris
AVP of Marketing
Anne Harris is the AVP of Marketing at Cox Media, where she leads The Marketing Collective—a cross-functional team driving strategic marketing, brand development, and creative execution across the organization. Her group spans Marketing Communications, Strategy, Analytics, Brand, and Creative Services, supporting both Cox Media and its clients with high-impact, data-informed solutions.
Anne’s career reflects a deep, cross-disciplinary understanding of media and marketing, with experience in Sales, Sales Support, Marketing Research, and Creative Leadership. She led the creation of a centralized marketing organization at Cox Media, scaling resources to better support sales and elevate the company’s go-to-market strategy.
Known for aligning teams and delivering results, Anne is a catalyst for innovation and collaboration. Her leadership style blends strategic vision with a passion for empowering others—inside and outside the organization.
Beyond Cox, Anne is a dedicated advocate for nonprofit leadership and mentorship. She is a past-president and current advisor for the Heartland Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications, where she led the chapter to multiple national honors, including Chapter of the Year, Best Mentoring Program, and Most Improved Chapter. She was named President of the Year in 2017 and Chapter Advisor of the Year in 2022.
Erica Fuchs
AVP of Financial Planning & Analysis
Erica Fuchs is the AVP of Financial Planning & Analysis at Cox Media, where she leads Business Operations, Sales Operations, and Accounts Receivable. Her team drives financial performance through strategic budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, collections, and sales operations metrics—ensuring the organization runs with precision and agility.
Erica’s career at Cox spans a wide range of disciplines, including Accounting, Finance, Sales Compensation, and Business Operations across both Cox Media Inc. (CMI) and Cox Business (CB). Her ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights makes her a key partner in optimizing operational efficiency and supporting sustainable business growth.
Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership, Erica fosters alignment across teams and empowers decision-making through data. Her work consistently strengthens Cox Media’s financial foundation while enabling innovation and scale.
Erica holds a B.S. in Accounting from Southern Connecticut State University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. She is recognized for her analytical expertise, business acumen, and commitment to driving results through clarity, structure, and teamwork.