Advisory Council
Tom Calato
General Sales Manager, WKMG
A University of Florida Graduate, Tom Calato began his career on the “Creative” side as copywriter for WGGG Gainesville in 1974. After realizing that creativity didn’t always translate into an adequate paycheck – he made the transition to sales in 1977 and became the station’s General Manager in 1980.
Four years later, television beckoned and Tom joined WOFL Orlando back in its pure Independent days as a local account executive. Working with the station through the early days of the Fox network he progressed through a variety of sales and sales management positions. His AE stint was followed by positions as Regional, National and General Sales Manager and he became the General Manager in 1997.
In 1999 he joined the Orlando Science Center as its VP – Director of Sales and Marketing working to increase the Center’s revenue, membership and attendance. As the boom of the Internet continued, Tom combined his sales and marketing background with his experience in television and knowledge of the web to become the General Sales Manager for Internet Broadcasting Systems in 2000. A 2001 promotion to Regional Sales Manager had him managing the successful WKMG web channel, local6.com as well as overseeing the Miami, Jacksonville, Madison and Milwaukee sites for the company.
When WKMG was in need of a General Sales Manager, Tom’s familiarity with the business, management and the station itself made it a smooth transition. He still oversees the growth of Central Florida’s #1 television web channel, but has added the responsibility for growing the television revenue from both traditional and non-traditional sources as well.
The Campaign for the University of Florida