August 8, 2021
Greetings:
Happy 47th anniversary to those of you who remember that President RICHARD NIXON resigned on this date in 1974. I happened to be visiting Washington that day and had taken the public tour of the White House, learning when my friends and I left that the President was going to quit.
A flurry of news director hires this week, with SIX new NDs to tell you about. Notably, FIVE of the SIX were promoted within their current company. And I know of NO new openings, so our list of open ND jobs drops to 37.
THREE of those 37 jobs are among our FIVE paid help wanted ads. There are also ads for TWO EP openings in Charlotte and for an Assistant ND job at a powerhouse small market station.
Sorry to report the passing of a longtime Hearst GM who ran his station for more than 27 years.
In Names in the News, a tough health battle facing a New York City news director while another NYC station gets a network veteran as its new managing editor. There’s a new head of Newsy, and a new job for a veteran newsman who’s spent the last few years working as a fill-in ND for lots of stations.
In Louisville, ONE new GM while a veteran GM leaves another station, and Gray promotes a GM in West Virginia.
Lots of news this week…read on!
Newly Named News Directors:
Long
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL…BAYLOR LONG has been named news director for this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. Details in this story, where you’ll learn that Baylor has been the Assistant ND at Hearst’s WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. WVTM will be his FIFTH job at a Hearst station. In Birmingham, he replaces SUE STEPHENS who is retiring after six years at WVTM and 40 years in our business.
Harris
KTUL-TV, Tulsa, OK…an promotion within Sinclair, as Le’ONDRE HARRIS moves to Oklahoma to become news director’s at this ABC affiliate. She’s the Assistant ND for WBFF-TV (FOX) in Baltimore and has worked in Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, and San Antonio and for the Weather Channel. She replaces PHILLIP BRUCE who also moved within Sinclair and is now the ND for KOMO-TV (ABC) in Seattle.
Stroud
KTAL-TV, Shreveport, LA…MARCUS STROUD will be the next ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. It’s another inter-company move as Marcus leaves Nexstar’s WIAT-TV in Birmingham, where he was Assistant ND. Marcus, who began as a photographer, earlier was Chief Photographer at WAKA-TV in Montgomery. He replaces JOHN WALTON who moved to Nexstar’s WVLA/WGMB-TV, in Baton Rouge
Sweeney
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX…GINNY SWEENEY, a Beaumont native, is on the job as the ND for this Tegna owned ABC/NBC operation. She’s been working for KAKE-TV in Wichita as Special Projects Producer. More in this email to the staff. Ginny’s also worked in Houston. Sadly, she last made these pages in April when we reported the sudden death of her husband, JOHN, the creative services director at KAKE.
Phillips
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, KY…KALUP PHILLIPS moves within Gray Television as he joins this ABC affiliate for his first news director’s job. He’s spent the last eight years at Gray’s KAIT-TV (ABC) in Jonesboro, the last four years as the Assistant News Director. (KAIT is looking for this replacement…check out the station’s paid help wanted ad below). AT WBKO, he replaces longtime ND HENRY CHU who retired in April after 14 years as ND here.
KLST-TV, San Angelo, TX…yet ANOTHER inter-company moves results in CODY BROWN being promoted to ND for this CBS station. He has been the assistant news director and replaces DAVID WAGNER who left the station earlier this summer.
New News Director Openings:
To the best of my knowledge, there are NO new openings this week. If I’ve missed something, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA:
This is the market where it all started…
Join the largest TV ownership group in the country in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Market #58) as NEWS DIRECTOR.
A lot has changed since the early days of Nexstar Media Group 25 years ago. We now own 199 stations in 116 markets… But our commitment to the original market – now with WBRE/NBC and WYOU/CBS – and the original mission – serving our communities with LOCAL NEWS – is stronger than ever.
The perfect candidate for this perfect opportunity is collaborative, creative and competitive. We are looking for someone dynamic and innovative, with a proven track record of success on broadcast and digital platforms. We are ready to move you so you can move us.
This could be where it all starts for you, too. Imagine where Nexstar could take you.
News Director, WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH:
Cox Media Group in Dayton, OH is seeking a strategic, team-oriented, and passionate journalist to lead the powerhouse WHIO TV team as our News Director.
WHIO TV is the Dayton region’s number one station for news and the number one CBS affiliate in the nation in household shares. The News Center 7 newsroom is a respected organization driven by aggressive, investigative storytelling, cutting edge producing, and the region’s best severe weather team.
This is a rare opportunity for a leader who possesses a passion for local news along with the highest standards for producing unbiased and impactful reporting for our audience. The WHIO philosophy is built on a foundation of breaking news and investigative journalism that is dedicated to pursing the facts and holds that the truth is the ultimate, unwavering guide.
Our ideal candidate will be a hands-on servant leader, with a vision and mission to serve the needs of our viewers while fueling the passion and professional development of our news team.
The CMG culture is based on the idea that we compete with our products, but we win with our people.
If you are ready to help our team to their best work for the Dayton region, click on the link below and apply today.
We want innovative, agile and savvy risk-takers with entrepreneurial minds and diverse points of view on our team. If this description fits, we’d love to have you join CMG.
Executive Producers, Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC:
Are you ready to make a change in your career and join a news organization that values true storytelling and quality content? Ready to showcase your management skills in a fantastic, fast-growing market?
Spectrum News currently has two Executive Producer openings in our Charlotte Newsroom and we’re hiring immediately.
Click the link for specifics—but we want Journalists who believe in what we are all about. We are looking for someone with 5+ years of management experience who excels at leading and coaching a multi-generational workforce.
We’re innovative. We’re growing. We’re different. If you haven’t yet considered Spectrum Networks for your next job—now is the time! Questions? Email Mike.bothwell@charter.com
Assistant News Director, KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR:
KAIT, Gray Television’s dominant #1 station in Jonesboro, Arkansas is looking for its next Assistant News Director.
This person will work side by side with our news director to run the day-to-day newsroom across all platforms. The best candidate will demonstrate how they build a team as well as the ability to train reporters and producers.
Jonesboro is the regional hub, seeing yearly double-digit growth. Jonesboro is also home to Arkansas State University and a short drive to mountains, lakes, and rivers.
Gray Television supports local community interests by providing quality television broadcasting and exceptional service in each market we serve. Gray owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties over 100 television markets including the first or second highest rated television station in 86 markets.
We are an unmatched broadcast pioneer that keeps getting bigger and better.
If you are looking for that first leadership role or an experienced leader, apply today.
News Director, KION-TV, Monterey/Salinas, CA:
KION News Channel 5, located in beautiful Monterey County, California, is seeking an extraordinary journalist to lead a growing news team. In addition to CBS we produce news daily on CW and Telemundo.
Our News Director will be a visionary coach who understands how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skillset to maximize content and customer engagement on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.
The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long-range planning, special news coverage and station projects.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
Previous experience
Creative approaches to building and innovating news brand
Digital and social strategies
Effective use of social media in a broadcast environment
Previous experience managing financial, technical and people resources
KION was acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company in December 2013, and has recently made significant capital investments to build a strong local news organization.
Candidate must pass a drug test and background check. A valid driver’s license is required. Please apply online by submitting brief cover letter that includes resume, and source of referral by clicking here.
NPG of Monterey-Salinas, CA LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Posting closes when position is filled.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (new listing this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/13/21)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/4/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/27/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (listed 7/4/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (listed 6/18/21)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 7/4/21)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (relisted 7/25/21)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)
KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR (new listing this week, see ad above!)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 7/25/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (2 openings, new this week, see ad above!)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 8/1/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/27/21)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 6/13/21)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 7/25/21)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro-High Point, NC (AM EP, relisted 8/1/21)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/4/21)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (relisted this week)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 7/4/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 7/4/21)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 7/18/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 6/27/21)
More News Management Openings:
Relisted 8/1/21:
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 7/11/21:
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (Senior Manager of Investigative)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Real Time Desk Manager)
Relisted 6/27/21:
Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content
Listed 6/20/21:
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital Content Director)
Obituaries:
Paul F.
PAUL FREDERICKSEN, who ran Des Moines’ KCCI-TV (Hearst/CBS) for more than 27 years, died Friday at the age of 76. Paul had worked in the insurance business before moving to TV, joining KCCI (then KRNT-TV) as business manager. His obituary is here, and his former station remembered him with this story.
Schruth
PETER SCHRUTH, a longtime affiliate relations VP at CBS, died in mid-July at the age of 69. He spent most of his career at CBS or one of its owned stations. A funeral service is planned for later this year.
Names in the News:
Aslam
REHAN ASLAM, the relatively new news director for WABC-TV in New York, is recovering from a surgery to remove a brain tumor. Earlier this week, he posted a Facebook Live discussing his case, but it’s no longer public. However, WABC anchor BILL RITTER did post this on Facebook which offers some more details. Best wishes, Rehan, who joined WABC just a few months ago from sister ABC o-and-o KTRK-TV in Houston.
Passant
Longtime CBS News employee COURT PASSANT joins Nexstar’s WPIX-TV in New York as Managing Editor. Court shared this note with me that he posted to Linkedin. His tenure at CBS included a stint as VP, Affiliate Marketing for CBS. Recently he consulted for FOX and Salesforce. Court’s also worked in Louisville, South Bend, and Columbia, MO.
Ludgood
ERIC LUDGOOD joins Scripps’ Newsy as Head of News. He’s currently the Assistant news director for FOX’s WAGA-TV in Atlanta. He’s a former news director in Atlanta (WGCL-TV/CBS) and Raleigh (WNCN-TV/then NBC, where he worked for five months). Eric also worked for 12 years at CNN in a variety of roles.
Ackermann
STEVE ACKERMANN can unpack his bags, at least for a while. After his time as VP/News for Raycom ended, he’s been working as a fill-in ND for many stations. Now, he’s accepted a one year appointment as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of North Texas in Denton. More from his post on Linkedin. He’s a former ND in Cincinnati, helped launch Texas Cable News, and spent many years working for CBS News. Click here if you want to send him a kind note.
Readers of a certain age will remember “The Lighting Round” from the game show Password. Consider this section our version of that.
A number of news managers on the move:
ANN ISSAC joins KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver as Morning EP. Here’s the note to staff from ND BRIAN GREGORY.
DEYJA CHARLES jumps to Scripps’ KGTV (ABC) in San Diego as EP. She’s been working as an EP for the Scripps’ station in Waco, KXXV-TV.
At another Scripps station, KSHB-TV (NBC) in Kansas City, RYAN TAKEO is the new Senior Manager of Investigations. He’s been the Managing Editor for KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO, and has worked as a reporter in San Francisco, Seattle and Grand Rapids, MI.
RON JACOBSOHN joins Nexstar’s WKRG-TV (CBS) in Mobile. Ron has been freelancing in Los Angeles, but previously worked for RNN-TV in New York.
MURRY LEE gets bumped up to Digital EP for WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN. He had been a digital content producer at that Nexstar/CBS station.
Finally at WKOW-TV in Madison, WI, CAROLINE BACH was promoted to Content Manager.
General Manager News and Notes:
Two GM changes in Louisville:
Columbia
At Tegna’s WHAS-TV, LISA COLUMBIA has been promoted to GM. She’s worked at this ABC affiliate since 2012, first as local sales manager and then as GSM. Lisa’s also worked in Lexington and replaces CHRISTY MORENO who was promoted to GM for Tegna’s KING-TV in Seattle.
Across town, WAVE-TV GM KEN SELVAGGI has left that Gray owned NBC affiliate after more than ten years as ND. He’s also been a GM in Montgomery and is a former news director.
Another Gray station has a new GM. CHARITY HOLMAN has been upped to GM here. More here. She’ll continue her role as general sales manager. She’s worked at this NBC affiliate for about 15 years.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 8, 2021:
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
WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019
KRON-TV 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
KUTV 299 South Main St. # 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville, SC 29615
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701 (see ad above!)
WHAS-TV 520 West Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40202
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza. Buffalo, NY 14202
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74105
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main Street , Dayton , OH 45409 (see ad above!)
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St Charleston, WV 25301
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
WFFF/WVNV-TV 298 Mountain View Dr, Colchester, VT 05446
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac, MI 49601
KATC-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Road. Lafayette, LA 70506
KION-TV 1550 Moffett Street Salinas, CA 93905 (see ad above!)
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Rd Columbus, GA 31906
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road Rockford, IL 61103
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave., Duluth MN 55802
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
WJET-TV 8455 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
WDTV 5 Television Drive. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
**: Spanish language station