March 4, 2018
Friday, March 9, 2018 UPDATE:
Two news director moves with Cox today.
Oliveira
MIKE OLIVEIRA leaves Boston’s WFXT-TV (FOX) to become news director at Cox’s WSOC-TV (ABC) in Charlotte. Mike’s a Boston native and has been ND at WFXT since August, 2016: before that he spent about ten years at the company’s WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, the last 3 1/2 years as the news director. He earlier worked for another Boston station and in Syracuse.
Szulczewski
That move means JULIE SZULCZEWSKI has left WSOC, where she’s been the ND for almost seven years. She’d been the managing editor there for three years before leaving for about a year to be ND for KOB-TV in Albuquerque. Julie’s also worked for Cox at its Orlando station, WFTV, and in Ft. Myers.
It’s been a busy week. We’ll have a full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 UPDATE:
Greetings:
The not-vacant-for-very-long news director’s job at WNBC-TV in New York has been filled, but NOT from within NBC, as many expected.
Morris
Instead, the o-and-o reached into the ABC station group, hiring AMY MORRIS, who’s been the Assistant ND at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia for the past five years. More details here. She’s also worked as an executive producer for ABC owned stations in New York and Chicago. Amy’s also been an ND in Roanoke and an EP in Minneapolis.
At WNBC, she replaces SUSAN SULLIVAN who took a job in standards and practices at NBC News.
Altman
Also, we’re a little late in reporting the upcoming retirement of Hearst VP/News CANDY ALTMAN which was announced Monday. Before ascending to the corporate position, Candy spent many years as ND for the company’s WCVB-TV (ABC) in Boston. She’s also worked in Miami, Providence, and Columbia, MO.
Friends can wish her well via an email to: caltman@hearst.com
It’s been another busy week…we’ll have details in our full newsletter, which I hope to complete BEFORE the NCAA tournament selection show on Sunday. 🙂
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
FIVE. THREE. 25. FOUR.
Those are the numbers of a)—new news directors, b)—new openings, c)—stations looking for a new news director, and d)—paid help wanted ads…in this week’s report.
Those changes leave our list of open ND jobs at 25.
It’s a week of promotions, it seems. TWO of the FIVE new news directors were promoted, and, in Names in the News, you’ll learn about promotions for TWO news executives.
And be sure to take a minute to read the farewell note to the staff by a veteran ND who’s leaving his Illinois gig for a similar post in Kentucky (his 13th ND job.)
We have an obit for a longtime Ohio PBS GM, and details about TWO longtime GM’s (who used to be news directors) who are leaving their stations for different reasons.
Lots of items in Names in the News, as well.
Newly Named News Directors:
Rubin
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH…we told you earlier that IAN RUBIN will be the next ND for this Raycom Media owned CBS/My Network duopoly. More here. He’s been the ND for Meredith’s WNEM-TV in Flint/Saginaw, MI, for the past 14+ years. Ian’s also been an ND at WKEF-TV in Dayton and for WRNN-TV in New York, and worked in Boston and for the News 12 Networks. He replaces FRED D’AMBROSI who left the station in January after three years as ND.
Mendoza
WOAI/KABB-TV, San Antonio, TX…MANDI JOHNSTON MENDOZA is the new news director for this Sinclair Broadcast Group owned NBC/FOX duopoly. She’s been the assistant news director most recently and first joined the station as an investigative producer in 2003. She’s also worked in Knoxville and San Angelo, TX. She succeeds BLAISE LABBE who will now concentrate on his responsibilities as a Group News Director for Sinclair.
Boxx
WPSD-TV, Paducah, KY…they’re putting the band back together (it’s Oscar night, allow me a movie reference!) here, where PERRY BOXX rejoins BILL EVANS for their third partnership. But the roles are reversed this time: Bill’s the boss (GM) and Perry will report to him. In the past Bill worked for Perry. Perry’s most recently been the ND at WEEK/WHOI-TV in Peoria, where he sent one of the best departure notes I’ve ever seen to the staff. He’s been an ND in a bunch of places: this makes 13 if my math is correct. Perry replaces Bill who was promoted to GM.
Jay Q.
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN…congratulations to JAY QUAINTANCE who gets his first news director’s job at this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. It’s a relatively short move for Jay, who’s been at WATE-TV in Knoxville since 2000: first as assignment editor, then EP/Managing Editor, and, for the past eleven years, assistant news director. At WJHL, Jay replaces JENNIFER DALE who left in December after five years to become ND for WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC.
Lewis
KFBB/KHBB-TV, Great Falls, MT…this Cowles owned ABC affiliate has promoted MEGAN LEWIS to news director. She’s been an executive producer there for the past 18 months. Megan replaces DEYJA CHARLES who is now an executive producer for WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge.
New News Director Openings:
WEEK/WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL…we reported above that PERRY BOXX is leaving this Quincy Media owned duopoly after almost two years as news director. He’s off to Paducah to be ND for WPSD-TV. The search is on for his replacement: be sure to check out the paid help wanted ad below!
Boone
WNKY-TV, Bowling Green, KY…RICK BOONE has left this NBC/CBS duopoly owned by Marquee Broadcasting after just four months on the job for this start-up news operation. Rick most recently worked as a reporter for KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco, and has also reported in New York, Washington, and Sacramento.
Scherer
KXLF/KBZK-TV, Butte/Bozeman, MT…JOHN SCHERER remains at the station but has been re-assigned to other duties here after more than 12 years as ND. He’s also worked in Madison, WI, and for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The stations are owned by Cordillera Communications.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WEEK/WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL:
WEEK / HOI ABC in Peoria-Bloomington, Illinois, a Quincy Media owned operation, has an exciting opening for an experienced News Director. For over 30 years WEEK has been the dominant local news source in Central Illinois and has recently re-launched our ABC channel as well, Over the last two years, we have built all new HD facilities for both the NBC and ABC sides with separate studios, state-of-the-art news sets, graphics and control rooms to provide uniquely branded award-winning news across two major affiliate platforms. All of that, in a brand new fully remodelled newsroom and facility.
We need an experienced enthusiastic leader of real journalists dedicated to high-quality, market-leading news and weather on air and every platform. We have the people, the tools and the venue. All that’s missing is the right person to lead that charge! If you have a passion for excellence and a burning desire to lead not one, but two of the best local broadcast news operation in the midwest we want to talk to you.
Come join the Quincy Media team in a city centrally located along the Illinois River, just a short drive from Chicago, St Louis and Indianapolis.
Quincy Media is a family owned company now operating 18 stations producing news covering 11 states.
Applicants should apply on line: just click here.
Executive Producer, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:
Are you a show doctor who oversees a newscast filled with urgent, impactful news?
Do you LOVE to win the day, every day, on all platforms?
Are you looking for an opportunity to take your creativity to the next level in a city as exciting and beautiful as Denver, Colorado?
KDVR/KWGN, the Fox and CW affiliate in Denver, Colorado, is looking for a creative and aggressive Executive Content Producer to lead us on the evening shift – delivering news on multiple platforms including our evening newscasts.
The Executive Producer must be a proven newsroom leader who embodies an audience-first approach to delivering news. This individual will excel under tight deadlines and bring bold, creative ideas to our newsroom.
We have a talented team of storytellers in this newsroom, plenty of resources, and most people will tell you – it’s a pretty great place to work.
Plus, you get to live in Denver – with the Rockies in your backyard. Spend your off-time skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, hiking, eating at top-notch restaurants, and enjoying life in a vibrant, and growing downtown!
Five years of producing experience, and 2+ years of management experience required.
Apply by clicking here:
Ass’t. ND & Executive Producer, KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA:
Work in America’s Finest City, San Diego.
KUSI News, one of the top cutting-edge stations in the country, seeks an experienced Assistant News Director for the Station and, also, an Executive News Producer for our powerhouse news broadcast Good Morning San Diego program.
KUSI-TV, the news leader in San Diego, produces 8 1/2 hours of news Monday-Friday and 7 1/2 hours of news on the weekends for the eighth largest city in the country.
Join a winning team and go to Kusi.com, click on contact us and go to the job opportunities to complete the application, or email resume and salary retirements to sluck@kusi.com
Digital Content/Weekend Manager, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:
WIVB-TV, the CBS affiliate in Buffalo, NY is looking for a strong news leader to oversee digital content gathering, special projects and weekend newscasts.
The Digital Content/Weekend Manager will work collaboratively with the entire news team to organize and help distribute content across all platforms on a supervisory level.
In this role, the successful candidate will:
Help our news team develop unique content for digital platforms, newscasts and special programming.
Organize shoot schedule for all sweeps pieces, special news programming and other unique content.
Skillfully use social media and digital tools to research, discover and distribute content on all digital platforms.
Write and post daily on all digital platforms including social media.
Assigning photographers and reporters as part of the daily news gathering process.
Coach/train journalists how to write for digital including attaching images and streaming video.
Use contacts to develop sources and enterprise news stories.
Use creative graphics and new forms of media (viewer pictures, webcam interviews, etc.) to enhance stories on all platforms.
Perform other functions as required by supervisor or executive producer.
Education/Experience:
College degree required
2-years of experience
People who work at WIVB and WNLO are able to take advantage of the rich cultural and social scene Buffalo offers. From two professional sports teams to world-class museums and restaurants appealing to nearly every taste and budget, Buffalo offers a vibrant lifestyle for people of all ages.
If interested, please apply online: http://www.nexstar.tv/careers/
EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18, see ad above!)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/14/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (relisted 1/28/18)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted 12/31/17)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (listed 1/14/18)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 1/14/18)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (relisted this week, see ad above!)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 2/25/18)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/21/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18, see ad above!)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 2/18/18)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, relisted 1/21/18)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (AM EP, listed 1/14/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 1/21/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 1/21/18)
Obituary:
Timonere
Longtime Toledo PBS General Manager SHIRLEY TIMONERE died Friday at the age of 83. A former school teacher, she spent 25 years in public broadcasting in Northwest Ohio and gained national recognition for her efforts there, including a program with Mr. Rogers.
Names in the News (and other items):
SCOTT LIVINGSTON has been promoted to Senior Vice President of News for Sinclair Broadcast Group. He had been VP of News there. Scott, as many news managers have done, began in the business as a photographer, and eventually worked his way up to news director for Sinclair’s WBFF-TV in Baltimore (FOX). He held that job for ten years before moving to corporate in 2012.
TINA COMMODORE, news director for Cox’s KOKI-TV in Tulsa for the past 15 months, takes on additional duties as Integrated News Director for Tulsa, where Cox owns both KOKI and two radio stations. Before Tulsa, Tina was Managing Editor at Cox’s WSB-TV in Atlanta. She’s also worked in Columbus, OH, and Cincinnati, as well as for CNN.
Former CNN and CBS anchor and correspondent JOIE CHEN will be the next Director of Medill Washington programs.
Earlier this week we shared with you the news that GARY BROWN has been named VP of News and Marketing for Meredith. It’s a return to the other side of TV for Gary, who’s been working as an agent for Napoli Management Group since 2013. He’s a former VP/News for Newport TV (remember them?) and has been an ND in San Diego, Hartford, Providence, his hometown of Toledo, and Steubenville, OH.
KELLY BRIGHTMORE has been upped to executive producer for Gray’s WTVG-TV in Toledo. She’s been a newscast producer for this ABC affiliate.
Media Moves reports that the Entravision owned Univision station in Laredo has shut down its news operation there and will produce a regional newscast from McAllen, TX.
General Manager News and Notes:
TWO news directors turned longtime General Managers left their stations this week under different circumstances.
Roper
In Albuquerque, MARY LYNN ROPER announced her retirement from KOAT-TV, the Hearst owned ABC affiliate. She’s been GM for 25 years and has worked there for 41 years, beginning as a reporter/photographer. Mary Lynn was the news director for five years and later VP/News for then-station owned Pulitzer Publishing. The station covered her retirement here (including video from her on-air days), and the local newspaper offers its perspective here.
Larson
TIM LARSON left KRDO-TV (ABC) in Colorado Springs this week after eleven years as GM for this News, Press & Gazette operation. He spent another two years running NPG’s Idaho Falls, ID, station. Tim was a news director in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Buffalo, and also worked in Birmingham and Detroit, where we shared Red Wings Hockey tickets. (His fondness for hockey explains the picture, taken at the 2014 NHL Winter Classic in Ann Arbor.)
Mark M.
Raycom Media has promoted MARK MENDENHALL to General Manager of its Wilmington, NC, station, WECT-TV. That’s the NBC affiliate there. He’s been the general sales manager there. Mark replaces Gary McNair, who retired last week.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 4, 2018:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
WNBC-TV, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WFLA-TV 200 S. Parker St. Tampa FL 33606
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTMJ-TV 720 E Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WJAX/WFOX 11700 Central Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32224
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW Albuquerque, NM 87104
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFFF/WVNY-TV 298 Mountain View Dr. Colchester, VT 05446
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611 (see ad above!)
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106 (see ad above!)
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
**: Spanish language station