January 20, 2019
Greetings:
Is it just me…or is a rule allowing a coin flip to go a long way towards deciding which team goes to the Super Bowl…a pretty stupid rule? Asking for a friend.
Another very busy week for our report.
FIVE new news director openings, though TWO were created by incumbents taking general manager jobs. And we have TWO new newly named news directors.
Our official list of ND openings…which had been trending lower…increases to 30. THREE of those openings are among our FOUR paid help wanted ads below.
There are THREE obituaries, one of a Boston EP, one for a former California ND and GM, and one for a GM who ran stations in Indiana and Kentucky. We have news of several GM appointments, and a few items in Names in the News.
Newly Named News Directors:
Roth
KMTV, Omaha, NE…we told you last week that this Scripps/CBS opening would soon be filled… and….it is…by GEOFF ROTH. By my count this is Geoff’s eighth news director’s job. He’s leaving KREX-TV (Nexstar/CBS) after about 18 months. At KMTV, Geoff replaces JOE SPADEA who left the station in November as is now ND for Nexstar’s WVLA/WGMB-TV in Baton Rouge, LA.
Stewart
WEVV-TV, Evansville, IN…WARREN STEWART returns to his home region as the next news director for this CBS/FOX operation owned by Bayou Broadcasting. Here’s the news release. Warren tells me his mother is battling some health issues so it’s the right time to come home. He most recently was ND for KJRH-TV in Tulsa…he left in September after about 18 months. Warren’s also worked in Cleveland, Orlando, and New Orleans.
Korff
The man he replaces at WEVV, WARREN KORFF, landed quickly. He left WEVV in December but starts tomorrow as the Assignment Manager at WEHT/WTVW-TV, also in Evansville. Warren worked at WEHT/WTVW until three years ago when he left to re-start the news operation at WEVV.
New News Director Openings:
Carson
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA…our only UPDATE of the past week brought news of CHERYL CARSON’s departure from this Tegna owned NBC and Independent duopoly after almost three years as ND and six at the station. She’s a veteran of the Los Angeles market and was an ND at WGHP-TV in Greensboro/ High Point, NC. More on her Linkedin page.
Vickers
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL…we told you in our Monday update of DENISE VICKERS departure from this Tribune owned (for now) CBS affiliate for a (at that point unnamed) GM job that turned out to be at WFXG-TV in Augusta, GA, a Lockwood Broadcasting owned FOX affiliate. She found a unique way to announce the new gig. Denise joined WHNT in 2006, earlier had been a news director at stations in Charleston, SC, Montgomery, AL, and Boise, ID.
Reynolds
WGME-TV, Portland, ME…KATHY REYNOLDS is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate to become Story Telling Team Leader, in charge of MSJs and anchors, at Tegna’s WUSA-TV (CBS) in Washington, DC. She’s been here almost six years, and spent about two years as an ND at WEYI-TV in Flint/Saginaw, MI. Kathy’s worked in Wausaw, WI, and as a reporter in Springfield, MA, Grand Rapids, MI, Burlington, Fargo, and Elmira, NY.
Bergen
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX…PAUL BERGEN is moving up to become GM for this Tegna owned ABC/NBC operation. He’s been ND there for more than ten years. Paul had been ND for KBTV in Beaumont until March 2008, when he left for a very brief stint as ND for KTAL-TV in Shreveport. He also worked as an ND in Butte, MT, and served as the state Capitol Correspondent for five Montana TV stations. Paul began his career at the Billings Gazette.
KREX-TV, Grand Junction, CO…we told you above that GEOFF ROTH is headed to KMTV (Scripps/CBS) in Omaha as news director. Geoff worked for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate for about 18 months.
And while they are not new openings, please note ads below for news director openings at KSTP/KSTC-TV in Minneapolis and KAAL-TV in Rochester, MN.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KSTP/KSTC-TV, Minneapolis, MN:
KSTP & KSTC, the Hubbard Broadcasting stations in Minneapolis-St. Paul need an experienced News Director with a history of success in leading broadcast news operations.
We emphasize investigative news and enterprise and original reporting. This position requires a strong leader to help drive this station to the top of the market. As the leader of this multi-platform operation, the News Director is responsible for leading and managing the planning, production and presentation of news.
This position is also responsible for defining and maintaining ethical, editorial, artistic and technical standards for broadcast news programs on KSTP & KSTC and content on digital and social media platforms. The successful candidate must engage and lead a high performing team and develop and execute the long-term vision of the 5 Eyewitness News newsroom.
To learn more about the day to day duties and qualifications for this remarkable opportunity please visit our web site.
News Director, KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN:
KAAL- TV (abc6NEWS), Rochester, MN, is looking for a News Director with a history of building great LOCAL news programs built on the basics of original, enterprise reporting, compelling story-telling and fast-paced programs.
As the leader of this smaller market, multi-platform operation, the News Director is responsible for leading and managing the planning, production and presentation of news, building on significant market gains. This position is responsible for defining and maintaining ethical, editorial, artistic and technical standards for broadcast news programs.
The successful candidate must build, engage and lead a high performing team and develop the long-term vision of abc6NEWS.
If interested in this role, please apply directly on our web site.
Assistant News Director, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA:
WSLS 10, the Graham Media Group owned / NBC affiliated station in Roanoke, VA is seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic and results oriented Assistant News Director to join our News team.
You’ll live, work, and play in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, plus, you’re only a short drive to major metropolitan areas as well as beaches.
WSLS 10 will move into a brand new state-of-the-art broadcast facility this spring.
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and oversee production of all newscasts, working closely with anchors, reporters and producers on day-to-day and special project coverage.
Responsibilities & Qualifications:
Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required.
Work with producers and reporters to review all scripts.
Help producers and on-air talent convey urgency and timeliness in newscasts.
Manage and train newscast producers
Execute strategic planning across all platforms.
Embrace digital first new philosophy.
Other responsibilities as assigned.
WSLS 10 News, Working for You, produces 32 hours of news, weather, and sports each week. We have two bureaus and cover a large portion of Virginia.
If you’re up to the challenge, give us a look. Click here for more information.
News Director, WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS:
Small market News Directors, are you tired of chasing #1 with little to no resources? Are you ready to work for a dominant station and experience what winning BIG feels like? Mid-Market middle managers, are you ready for your first News Director gig with a serious news station?
WTVA, the Heartland Media owned NBC and ABC affiliate in Tupelo-Columbus, MS (133), will take your career to a big market experience fast. Heartland Media is a company that believes in and invests in live, local news (more than 9 hours of live coverage each weekday). WTVA has received 4 Emmys in the last 3 years!
Does your current employer invest in your career with training and consulting as if you were a network O & O? Heartland does, and you could soon be working with Magid consultants who partner with us to evolve our winning strategy. We may be market 133, but we play like the big leagues. You must be energetic, positive, passionate, competitive, possess strong motivational skills and exceed in recruiting and training across generations.
We live in a cultural hotbed for internationally recognized music, art, and literature. Elvis was born here. BB King played in the joints. Tennesse Williams, Faulkner, Grisham. 90 minutes from Memphis, 4 hours from Nashville; near competitive SEC universities (Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State). The cost of living is low, and your generous compensation plan will give you more bang for your buck.
Click here to learn more and apply.
EOE
News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (listed 11/18/18)
WFTS-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (listed 1/13/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/30/18)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/23/18)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 1/13/19)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 12/30/18)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 12/23/18)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/6/19)
KDLT-TV, Sioux Falls, SD (listed 1/13/19)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (AM EP, relisted 12/16/18)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (relisted this week)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (Dayside EP, relisted 11/25/18)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Special Projects EP, relisted 1/6/19)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (Dayside EP, relisted 1/13/19)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted this week)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, relisted 11/18/18)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (AM EP, listed 12/23/18)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 12/23/18)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (PM EP, relisted 12/9/18)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/2/18)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, listed 1/6/19)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 12/30/18)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (TWO EP openings, relisted 11/25/18)
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN (TWO openings, listed 12/30/18)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (PM EP, new listing this week)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 12/9/18)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 12/30/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 10/21/18)
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth (listed 11/18/18)
OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
Listed 1/13/19:
E.W. Scripps, Denver, CO (National Executive Producer)
Listed 12/9/18:
WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA (Digital Content Manager)
Re-listed 11/11/18:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Editorial Content)
Obituaries:
Gaita
Our sympathy to the staff at WFXT-TV in Boston on the death of the station’s EP, DEB GAITA. She died this week at the age of 45 after fighting cancer. Deb worked for another Boston station, and in Pittsburgh, Greensboro, and Macon, GA. More about her life, family, and career in this obituary.
BOB KLINGLE, a former general manager for stations in Louisville and Ft. Wayne, died last Monday. He was 62 and lost a battle with prostate cancer. He also worked in sales for CBS owned stations in New York and Chicago. One of his former stations, WHAS-TV, posted this nice obituary on its website.
And former Eureka, CA, News Director (KVIQ-TV) and General Manger (KIEM-TV) J. WARREN HOCKADAY died last Sunday. He was 70 and also spent 14 years as President and CEO of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce.
Names in the News (and other items):
Luhn
BRIAN LUHN has left KRIV-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Houston, to take a job out of TV. Brian tells me it’s with a media company that works with big companies to help them tell their stories to their customers. Brian sent this note to his KRIV colleagues. He’s a former ND at WCBD-TV in Charleston and has worked in Asheville, NC, Seattle, Atlanta, Denver, Louisville, Ft. Myers, and Sherman, TX.
KJRH-TV in Tulsa has promoted GARRETT WEINDORF to Assistant News Director. Garrett was the EP of Special Projects at the station. He’s also worked at another Tulsa station.
Switzer
DAVE SWITZER joins WeatherMetrics as Director of Marketing. He’s worked at a number of local television stations and as Magid, as you’ll learn in this news release.
General Manager News and Notes:
As noted above, PAUL BERGEN has been upped from ND to GM of Tegna’s KBMT-TV in Beaumont, TX. His was one of TWO Texas GM announcements from Tegna…the other also involved a news manager, as TIM THOMAS was promoted to GM at KWES-TV in Midland, TX, where he was news operations manager. More in this email.
And…for those of you with short memories…we reported above that DENISE VICKERS is the new GM of Lockwood’s WFXG-TV in Augusta, GA. She had been ND for WHNT-TV in Huntsville.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 20, 2019:
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
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. , 6th Fl. Arlington, VA 22209
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98134
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave., Seattle WA 98121
KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave W Saint Paul, MN 55114 (see ad above!)
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Boulevard, # 7007, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 E Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
WHBQ-TV 485 S. Highland. Memphis, TN 38111
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
WGBA-TV 1391 North Rd, Green Bay, WI 54313
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KGBT-TV 9201 West Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552
WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
WGME-TV 81 Northport Drive. Portland, ME 04103
KKTV 520 E. Colorado Colorado Springs, CO 80903
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way Jackson, MS 39209
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas RD Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28560
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KIII-TV 5002 South Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320 Tupelo, MS 38802 (see ad above!)
KMBT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN 55902 (see ad above!)
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
**: Spanish language station