James H. Rosenfield, Sr., a former top CBS executive who helped build the network into a cultural powerhouse, died Sept. 26. He was 97.
Rosenfield spent two decades at CBS, during the years that brought programs like “All in the Family,” “M*A*S*H” and “60 Minutes.”
Rosenfield was born July 18, 1929, in Boston. He attended Roxbury Latin School, where he later served as an alumni trustee. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1952. While at Dartmouth, he was a student DJ of his own radio show, titled “Rhodes Record Rack.”
Beginning in the 1960s, Rosenfield rose from account executive in television network sales to president of the CBS Television Network and ultimately executive vice president of the CBS Broadcast Group, where he was responsible for the company’s key operating divisions, including CBS Television Network, CBS News, CBS Entertainment and CBS Sports.
William S. Paley, founder and chairman of CBS, became an important mentor. He tapped Rosenfield for an early assignment taking responsibility for the company’s sales relationship with Grey Advertising. He retired from CBS in 1985.
After his time at CBS, Rosenfield was chairman and chief executive officer of John Blair Communications, Inc. He later founded JHR & Associates, a firm consulting with traditional and new media companies.
Rosenfield was a founding board member and later chairman emeritus of Reisenbach Philanthropies, an organization founded in the memory of John Reisenbach, son of his friend Sanford Reisenbach. He also served as president of the International Radio & Television Society, chairman and board member of the Advertising Council and on the boards of Internews International and Salon Media. He was a lifetime fellow of the International Council of the Television Academy and received an honorary doctorate from St. John’s University.
Rosenfield is survived by his partner Charlotte Rosenblatt, children Laurie Rosenfield and Jim Rosenfield Jr., five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made to The Reisenbach Philanthropies.