Background
Wussler, Robert Joseph was born on September 8, 1936 in Newark. Son of William and Anna (MacDonald) Wussler.
broadcasting executive media consultant
Wussler, Robert Joseph was born on September 8, 1936 in Newark. Son of William and Anna (MacDonald) Wussler.
Bachelor in Communications Arts, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, 1957. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, 1976. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Emerson College, Boston, 1976.
Wussler began his career at Columbia Broadcasting System in 1957, working in the mailroom. He rose through the ranks to become the youngest president of the network at the age of 40. Within weeks after joining Columbia Broadcasting System in 1957, Wussler became a production assistant, eventually rising to be an executive producer and a director of special events.
From 1972 until 1974, Wussler served as the general manager of Columbia Broadcasting System-owned WBBM-TV-television in Chicago.
Wussler returned to Columbia Broadcasting System headquarters in 1974 as vice president of Columbia Broadcasting System Sports. He then became the head of the network in 1976.
Wussler played himself in a small cameo appearance in the 1977 film Black Sunday, which was partially filmed at Super Bowl X.
In 1978, Wussler formed his own production company, Pyramid Enterprises. Two years later, he joined Ted Turner at Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta, eventually going on to co-found Cable News Network.
He also was Executive Producer of Night Tracks from 1983 to 1989 and President of Cable Music Channel in 1984.
From 1989 until 1992, Wussler was Chief Executive Officer of Comsat Video Enterprises, Incorporated., where he joined with the Metromedia Company as initial investors in a company that eventually became Metromedia International Telecommunications, Incorporated., developing independent cable television and cellular telephone systems in the former Soviet Union. From 1992 until his death, Wussler ran the Wussler Group, a consulting company.
Trustee Marymount Manhattan College, 1977—1981. Board regents Seton Hall University, 1978—1984. Member of European Broadcasting Union, National Cable television Association (member satellite network committee), Cable Advertising Bureau, Arizona Heart Institute, International Radio and television Society, Directors Guild American.
Children: Robert Joseph, Rosemary, Sally, Stefanie, Christopher, Jeanne.