James H Rosenfield

James H. Rosenfield, Sr. was a media leader and member of the executive team who built CBS into a cultural powerhouse during the most consequential era in the history of American television. During two decades at the company, beginning in the 1960’s, he 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.

It was an era when network executives were often known simply as “the suits,” but Jim never fit comfortably into that description. He was engaged with, and respected by, the creative and news talent who helped make CBS a cultural powerhouse, during the years that brought audiences groundbreaking programs including All in the Family, M*A*S*H and 60 Minutes. He held the journalists at the CBS News Division in high esteem, and counted Walter Cronkite, Morley Safer, Dan Rather, Lesley Stahl and Mike Wallace among his friends as well as his colleagues.

William S. Paley, the legendary founder and chairman of CBS, became an important mentor. Paley tapped Jim to take responsibility for the network’s sales relationship with Grey Advertising, an early assignment that helped propel his rise through CBS. He retired from CBS in 1985.

Jim 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. A favorite involved standing at the bar at New York’s famous 21 Club, where on any given evening executives representing all three major broadcast networks might be gathered; competitors by day and members of the same small, colorful media world after hours.

Following his career at CBS, Jim became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Blair Communications, Inc., a leading national sales representative for local television stations. He later founded JHR & Associates, advising traditional and digital media, communications and entertainment companies.

His connection to the media community extended far beyond his corporate life. Jim was a founding board member and later Chairman Emeritus of Reisenbach Philanthropies, created to make New York City safer and stronger while honoring the memory of John Reisenbach, the son of his friend, Sanford Reisenbach. He served as President of the International Radio & Television Society (IRTS), Chairman and board member of the Advertising Council, and on the boards of Internews International and Salon Media, among others. He was also a lifetime Fellow of the International Council of the Television Academy. Jim received an honorary doctorate from St. John’s University.

Born in Boston to the late Bea and Dr. Harold Rosenfield, Jim attended the Roxbury Latin School, an institution that remained important to him throughout his life and where he later served as an alumni trustee. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1952, where his introduction to the media business arguably began. At Dartmouth, he was a student DJ with his own radio program, memorably titled “Rhodes Record Rack.”

Above all, Jim cherished his family. He is survived by his devoted 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; and five great-grandchildren. Jim was pre-deceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy Stenbuck Rosenfield, and his brother, Dr. Allan Rosenfield. His family was a source of enormous love and pride throughout his life, and the stories, humor and history he shared with them are an enduring part of his legacy.

A funeral Service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, September 30th at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W 76th St. NY NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James Rosenfield’s memory to The Reisenbach Philanthropies.