September 19, 2021
Greetings:
I hope to see many of you at this week’s RTDNA convention in Denver, though I have to leave Thursday evening for a commitment next Saturday here in Indianapolis.
It’s a busy newsletter with what I believe is a FIRST in our 25 year history.
A FIRST!
We have news director openings at TWO stations with (except for the first letter), identical call letters, WALB-TV and KALB-TV.
(Why yes, I am easily amused. Why do you ask?)
Those TWO openings are among FIVE new openings this week, while there are TWO new NDs to tell you about. That leaves our count of open ND jobs at 43!
TWO of those openings are among SIX paid help wanted ads.
THREE items in our GM section this week: TWO new GMs and the retirement of a New York state GM who’d held the job for 25 years.
We have several news managers on the move and a profile of the Black News Channel.
But before we go, a tip off the hat to Waco’s KXXV-TV and its news director SYLVIA VILLARREAL. Sylvia and her staff provided coverage of events in Waco one day this week so that the staff of competitor KWTX-TV could attend a memorial service for longtime news manager RICK BRADFIELD who died September 17th.
I know it’s not the first time a station has done this (my staff and I at WTOL-TV in Toledo were the beneficiaries in 1988 when the late TOM STEPHENS offered similar coverage by his WNWO-TV team so we could attend the funeral of anchor SUE PARCELL) but it is noteworthy and worth sharing with you.
Newly Named News Directors:
Friedrich
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT…MIKE FRIEDRICH returns to TV and Sinclair as he’s been named ND for this CBS affiliate. He’s been out of TV for three years, after leaving his last job as Assistant ND for KPRC-TV in Houston (NBC) to move to the east coast to be closer to family. Earlier he worked for Sinclair’s WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington. Mike replaces MIKE GARBER who left in May to become Director of Content for Sinclair’s “The National Desk” in Washington.
Cyprian
KATC-TV, Lafayette, LA…NICHOLE CYPRIAN joins this Scripps/ABC affiliate as ND. Here’s the memo from GM SEAN TRCALEK and here’s a story from the newspaper which explains her attraction to the area. Nichole’s been the ND for WALB-TV, Gray’s NBC/ABC operation in Albany, GA for almost four years. She’s also worked in Memphis, Mobile, and Jackson, MS. Nichole replaces LETITIA WALKER who left the station last month after 14 years as ND and 20 at the station.
New News Director Openings:
Canan
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH…MIKE CANAN is leaving his job as Senior Director of Local Content (essentially an ND job with a fancy title) at this ABC affiliate to take a new job with the Scripps Foundation. Here’s the memo that explains his new job. He’s been the Senior Director of Local content here for just over two years. Mike’s worked for Scripps for almost 20 years, most of that in print.
Zak
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL…SARAH ZAK has left this Scripps owned FOX affiliate after more than three years as news director. She spent four years as the Assistant News Director for Scripps’ WCPO-TV (ABC) in Cincinnati before moving to Ft, Myers. A Florida native, Sarah previously worked for Scripps’ WFTS-TV in Tampa, where she was a producer for more than eight years.
WALB-TV, Albany, GA…as reported above, NICHOLE CYPRIAN is headed west to become ND for KATC-TV in Lafayette, LA. She was ND for this Gray owned NBC/ABC operation for just short of four years.
Al Q.
KALB-TV, Alexandria, LA…AL QUARTEMONT has left this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate after almost six years as news director. Here’s his farewell message to viewers which is posted on the station’s website. It was his second stint at the station. He’s a former news director for WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, WI, and worked in Milwaukee.
Barnd
DELTA NEWS, Greenville, MS…this unique operation is looking for a new news director. You’ll oversee news for all four major network affiliates as well as an ABC affiliate in Alexandria, LA. If my records are correct, JEFF BARND was the last news director here, having joined the station last year. You can learn more about this opening in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.
One final note…you may have seen reports that RYAN WEBB was leaving his job as ND for WBTW-TV in Myrtle Beach to return to Nashville. I am told that Ryan has changed his mind and will stay at WBTW.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, Delta News, Greenville, MS:
Here’s a unique job!
It’s an opportunity to manage a News department that produces news for four affiliations ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX “The Delta News”. Also produces news for KLAX, ABC Affiliate in Alexandria Louisiana.
The Mississippi Delta is rich in natural resources and cultural history. The area is popular for hunting and fishing. It’s home to several museums that celebrate and tell the history of the “birthplace” of American music. And for those who love food, the Delta has several festivals that promote local delicacies such as catfish and hot tamales. Numerous family-owned restaurants serve a variety of ethnic menus, including Soul Food, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese or Cajun.
The Delta has also been home to many who have contributed to cultural arts. Among them are authors such as Walker Percy, Shelby Foote and Julia Reed; actors Morgan Freeman and Hattie Winston; and music icons such as B.B. King, Sam Cooke and The Staples Singers.
Sound interesting?
Click here to learn more and apply!
Executive Producer, WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL:
Live, work and play in a very unique media market that so many vacationers call a top destination. WWSB-TV is the ABC Television station serving Sarasota & Manatee Counties on the Suncoast of Southwest Florida. Beautiful, postcard worthy views are bountiful, and so are the opportunities to enjoy the Florida lifestyle. Yes, the beaches are minutes away. So are some of the top attractions in Tampa Bay, Orlando and South Florida. You’re a quick ride from some of the most popular theme parks and cruise ports. While visitors come and go, our station and our newsroom are committed to serving the thousands upon thousands of people who call the Suncoast, home. You’ll find a special emphasis on covering news with a hyperlocal focus, while embracing the best practices found in some of the region’s top markets.
Job Summary/Description:
Our Executive Producer will help our team commit to lead stories, and see the possible with available resources. S/He will help us develop a “happening now” newscast centered on unique, local content. S/He will also help bring digital and breaking news to life on all platforms,and will inspire our team to be their best. In our newsroom, we commit to quality through partnership and collaboration, long before the team heads into the studio and control room. Daily content planning and team training are expected. By the way… while you’ll be leading our team, you’ll also be expected to jump in to help produce, edit video, and post to digital & social on a case-by-case basis.
You can learn more and apply by clicking here.
Digital Content Director , KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA:
Join a talented and growing team at KTXL/FOX40 in Sacramento.
We are seeking a Digital Content Director to lead our web, mobile and social efforts in this dynamic, diverse market, the political epicenter of California.
The Digital Content Director is responsible for managing and growing FOX40.com along coaching a successful team. She/he will oversee and improve the daily packaging and distribution of all digital daily news and enterprise content across all FOX40 digital platforms. Their goal is to increase page views, page per sessions, and users across all digital audience segments on Fox40.com while prioritizing, but not limiting, in-DMA reach. The Digital Content Director is a strategist that uses data to determine content decisions.
The ideal candidate will have a firm understanding of how to construct story “voice” while avoiding bias and editorialization. They are an AP Style expert that holds published content to the highest quality and journalistic standards.
The Digital Content Director is a coach who knows how to manage and grow different personality types to meet their highest potential, establishing clear expectations and with effective modes of accountability. They are capable and enthusiastic to be a champion for digital best practices across all departments.
News Director KIEM/KVIQ-TV, Eureka, CA:
Redwood News has a News Director Opening!
Duties include:
• Overseeing the daily operations of the television newsroom
• Must be tech savvy with attention to website content and social media
• Hire, train, and coach news staff.
• Reviewing stories to make sure they are fair and accurate before they air
• Ensuring adherence to journalistic and legal standards
• Mentor and guide the team
News Director experience preferred, however experienced executive producers or assistant news directors looking to move into the News Director role are also welcomed to apply. A minimum of three years’ experience in broadcast management is preferred.
Eureka and Humboldt County sit along California’s rugged northern coastline. Nestled among ancient redwood trees Humboldt County is famous for timber fishing and in recent decades the production of world-class legal cannabis products. Neighboring Arcata is home to Humboldt State University, known for their outstanding programs in natural resources and sciences as well as leadership in sustainability. Humboldt State recently became a polytechnical University.
If you love beautiful scenery hiking and nature you will fall in love with the area. Located 270 miles north of San Francisco Humboldt County is a place of cultural individualism with a thriving arts community where more artists sustain their livelihood through the arts than any other county in California. Our municipal airport offers daily flights to San Francisco Los Angeles and Denver.
If you’re the right candidate send your resume and cover letter to: jennyo@redwoodnews.tv or mail your information to:
Jenny Olszewski
General Manager
KIEM/KVIQ-TV
5650 South Broadway
Eureka CA 95503
All inquiries will be held in the strictest confidence.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Senior Producer, NY1, and MMJ, New York, NY:
Headline: NY1 is looking for amazing storytellers to cover impactful stories in the country’s largest media market. We are ready to hire creative Producers-MMJs who want to make their mark on NYC.
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!
Spectrum News NY1 is available throughout New York City’s five boroughs. Spectrum News NY1 serves Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island and provides 24-hour hyper local news, politics, features and weather seven days a week.
Senior Producer, Mornings on 1: Click here to learn more and apply.
Multimedia Journalist: Click here to learn more and apply.
Executive Producer, KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ:
Come work for the strongest news team in the Valley of the Sun!
We are a company committed to true journalism. Our vision is to create a better informed world and help communities get the information they need to make their own decisions.
KNXV, the E.W. Scripps owned ABC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona is looking for an Executive Producer to join our team. The Executive Producer must be a proven newsroom leader who knows how to execute content strategy and also win breaking news and weather coverage on all platforms, maintain a strong sense of urgency with our newscast production and newsroom culture, and knows how to balance serious journalism with lighter moments critical to the success of our newscasts.
The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for newscasts or local programs, including oversight on story selection, content, and production, ensuring that the station is competitive within the market.
Please click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply!
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 8/8/21)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/12/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 9/5/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 8/22/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 8/22/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (relisted 9/12/21)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listed 8/29/21)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted this week)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (relisted 7/25/21)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 8/29/21)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA, (Weekend AM EP, listed 8/29/21)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Morning EP, listed 8/29/21)
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 7/25/21)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (EP/Investigations, listed 9/5/21)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/12/21, see ad above!)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (listed 9/12/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (2 openings, listed 8/8/21)
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 8/29/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 8/1/21)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 7/25/21)
WDSU-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 9/12/21)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 9/12/21)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/12/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 9/12/21)
WOWK-TV, Charlestown, WV (listed 8/22/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 9/12/21)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 9/12/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 9/12/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 7/18/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 9/12/21)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (relisted 8/29/21)
More News Management Openings:
New Listing this week:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director (see ad above!)
Listed 9/12/22:
New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1) (see ad above!)
Listed 9/5/22:
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (Digital Manager)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 8/15/22:
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 8/1/21:
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Names in the News:
The Tallahassee Democrat offers this flattering profile of the Black News Channel and its CEO, PRINCELL HAIR.
Gillfillan
According to his Linkedin page, ANDREW GILLFILLAN has a new job: he’s the Assistant News Director at WFOR-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Miami. The move reunites him with ND KERRI CAVANAUGH: they worked together at WXMI-TV in Grand Rapids, MI. He’s currently an EP for NBC’s KNTV in San Francisco/San Jose and has also worked in Houston, Detroit, Indianapolis and for another station in Grand Rapids.
Quiquivix
Congratulations to JORGE QUIQUIVIX who has been promoted to Assistant News Director at Gray’s KAIT-TV (ABC) in Jonesboro, AR. His is quite the story…he began at the station as an intern and has worked his way up via a variety of jobs…beginning at a very young age.
General Manager News and Notes:
Bucher
Nexstar filled TWO general manager openings this week, one by naming LLOYD BUCHER to run its Charlotte operation, WJYZ-TV (FOX). He’s been the GM for Scripps’ WPTV (NBC) in West Palm Beach for the past six years. Of note: this is only the fourth TV station in his career, and he has worked with WJYZ News Director CASEY CLARK at three of them!
McRae
Nexstar also promoted FRAN McRAE to be general manager of WREG-TV (CBS) in Memphis. She’s been the GM for Nexstar’s KLFY-TV in Lafayette, LA since 2017. Fran’s also worked in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, LA, Billings, MT, and Winston-Salem/Greensboro, NC.
Baboulis
And STEVE BABOULIS is retiring after 44 years at WNYT-TV, the Hubbard owned NBC station in Albany, NY. He’s been the general manager there since 1996 but started at the station as an intern. The station posted this story to its website while the local newspaper offered a slightly meatier version.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 19, 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
KRON-TV 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
WBTS-TV 189 B St., Needham, MA 02494
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KCNC-TV 1044 Lincoln, Denver, CO 80203
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
KUAN-TV 9680 Granite Ridge Drive San Diego, CA 92123
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas, NV 89109
KTBC-TV 119 East 10th Street Austin TX 78701
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74105
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive; Knoxville, TN 37919
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main Street , Dayton , OH 45409
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
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
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KLKN-TV, 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac, MI 49601
KION-TV 1550 Moffett Street Salinas, CA 93905
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road Rockford, IL 61103
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
WJET-TV 8455 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509
WALB-TV 1709 Stuart Ave. Albany, GA 31707
KPAX-TV 1049 West Central Avenue Missoula MT 59801
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701 (see ad above!)
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503 (see ad above!)
**: Spanish language station