January 14, 2023
Friday, January 20, 2023 UDPATE:
Greetings:
Big news today from one of our industry’s premiere consulting firms.
Ginther
MARK GINTHER joins SmithGeiger as a Senior VP of Strategy. He marked his fourth year yesterday as the Director of News Content and Operations for Sinclair. Mark’s been an ND in Dallas, Seattle, and Des Moines, and worked in other markets as you’ll learn here. SmithGeiger CEO DAVE SMITH told me they are happy to have Mark join the team, citing his station and corporate oversight experience.
Culliton
In other SmithGeiger news, JOHN CULLITON has returned to the company after almost a year away. He was a Senior Vice President for the company for more than 17 years before stepping away last April. John is a former GM in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Minneapolis, where he began as a producer and rose to news director and GM. John also worked in Columbia, MO and Toledo, OH. More on his Linkedin page, too!
Full disclosure. John was the weekend weather caster when I joined WTOL-TV as news director in Toledo in 1983. He applied for an open producer position which was an easy decision for me. And speaking of full disclosure, Dave Smith was a graduate teaching assistant when I was an undergrad at Missouri and accompanied me on my first story with a sound film camera.
I realize I have just dated myself (and maybe Smitty) for many younger readers. 🙂
More on this in our full newsletter on Sunday.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Today’s UPDATE brings news of the upcoming retirement of a longtime news director.
Gauntt
HOLLY GAUNTT will retire in late April (before the May book!) as news director for Scripps’ KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver. Here’s the very interesting note she sent her staff within the hour. Holly’s been the ND here since 2017, crossing the street from KDVR-KWGN-TV. She’s also been an ND in Seattle and Philadelphia, and worked in Washington and a number of other markets as you’ll learn on her Linkedin page.
Bradshaw
And a reminder that the memorial service for ADAM P. BRADSHAW will be live streamed thanks to the staff at his last station, KFDX-TV (Nexstar owned) in Wichita. It’s scheduled to begin at 1:00 Central Time today.
We’ll see you this weekend with our full newsletter.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
A very busy week, though some of that contains sad news.
We have THREE new ND openings, ONE created by a death, and another created by the incumbent stepping down for health reasons. On the flip side, there are THREE new NDs, two of them getting their first news director jobs.
Our list of open ND jobs grows to 27.
There are THREE Paid Help Wanted ads, all for jobs in the top ten markets.
The deadline for Murrow Awards is approaching…RTDNA’s ad below has more. And Sciline is offering interview opportunities with experts in different fields.
We have a new obituary for a longtime Hearst employee and details about a memorial service for ADAM P. BRADSHAW (which will be live-streamed.)
Lots of items in Names in the News, with stories about top leaders at both CBS and NBC News.
Telemundo made a bunch of management moves…details in our GM section.
All that and more below!
The deadline for the 2023 Edward R. Murrow Awards is approaching fast!
The Radio Television Digital News Association is accepting entries through 5 p.m. EST Tuesday, February 7.
Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight the outstanding journalism your teams produced in 2022.
Since 1971, RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards. Among the most prestigious in news, the Murrow Awards recognize local and national news stories that uphold the RTDNA Code of Ethics, demonstrate technical expertise and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community. Murrow Award-winning work demonstrates the excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession.
Learn more and enter here:
https://www.rtdna.org/edward-r-murrow-awards
Newly Named News Directors:
Oldenburg
KTMD-TV, Houston, TX…FREDDY OLDENBURG returns to Texas as he’s been named VP/News for this Telemundo station. He’s been the VP/News for Telemundo’s WNJU-TV in New York but earlier had run news departments at KXTX-TV in Dallas and KSTS-TV in San Francisco. At KTMD, he replaces the late JERRY VASQUEZ who died last October.
Orellana
KSAT-TV, San Antonio, TX…MARIO ORELLANA has been promoted to news director for this Graham Media owned ABC affiliate. His is quite a story: he began at the station as an unpaid intern in 1996 and worked his way up the ranks to his most recent role as Assistant News Director. Mario replaces BERNICE KEARNEY who was promoted to ND for sister Graham station KPRC-TV (NBC) in Houston late last year.
Whitney A
WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…congratulations to WHITNEY ARGENBRIGHT who is also being promoted to ND at this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. She’s been the Assistant ND there for the last year. Details in this staff memo from GM ROBBY THOMAS. Whitney replaces STEVEN CREWS who (according to his Linkedin page) has joined the recruiting team for Gray Television.
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, regularly tees up articulate scientific experts from universities across the country for windows of media availability. Reporters can sign up to book 15-min, broadcast-quality Zoom interviews and use the resulting clips in segments and stories.
Jan 18: Sex Education (Dr. Eva Goldfarb, Montclair State University)
Jan. 26: Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, UCSF)
Feb. 1: Offshore Wind Energy (Dr. Rebecca Barthelmie, Cornell University)
Feb. 9: Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder (Dr. Jonathan Watanabe, UC Irvine)
Check out SciLine’s other free services for reporters
Follow @RealSciLine on Twitter.
New News Director Openings:
Hume
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…our Tuesday UPDATE told you that veteran news director CRAIG HUME is stepping down from the ND job here for health reasons. Here’s the note he sent his staff. Craig’s been an ND in markets big and small and from coast to coast. He’s been here for a little more than a year. WBRE (an NBC affiliate) is owned by Nexstar, which provides services to Mission Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WYOU.
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX…these Nexstar stations will start a search later this month to replace ADAM P. BRADSHAW. We told earlier this week that Adam died suddenly last Sunday at the age of 62 (and we have more on his memorial service below.)
Mahoney
WGEM-TV, Quincy, IL…the news is a little happier at this Gray TV owned NBC affiliate, at least for departing ND CHAD MAHONEY. After 14 years as news director here, Chad has taken a job as President and CEO of the Missouri Broadcasters Association. (Quincy borders Missouri if you were wondering about the connection.) Details in this news release from the MBA
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Executive Producer, News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY:
News 12 Long Island is looking for an Executive Producer for our 3.5 hour morning broadcast. The right candidate will be part of a management team dedicated to innovative, authentically local storytelling.
The EP will be expected to be a newsroom leader, responsible for overseeing all aspects of our morning daypart. A strong editorial and control room leader, the right candidate will be a team leader and be able to foster a cohesive team dynamic on a daily basis. With multiple direct reports, this is an incredible opportunity for a seasoned professional and/or strong producer looking for the next opportunity.
If you are an innovative storyteller, with strong story showcasing abilities looking for a collaborative newsroom environment, please consider joining our team.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Special Projects Producer, News 12 New Jersey, Edison, NJ:
The Special Projects Producer’s main responsibility is to facilitate the production of on-air promos, sales tapes and marketing projects designed to promote awareness of network’s programming and strengthen its brand.
The SP Producer will juggle multiple projects while working closely with staff editors under very tight budgets and deadlines.
If you have 5+ years experience in broadcast or cable television production, we want to hear from you!
Livestream Producer, KPRC-TV, Houston,TX:
Are you a creative news producer who’s longing to develop content you’d actually watch? Then come play in the KPRC 2 streaming sandbox! We’re hiring a Livestream Producer to delight our audiences with engaging live coverage and next-generation newscasts on the KPRC 2+ livestream.
The Livestream Producer will build live daily news programs that move seamlessly between breaking news and important events as they’re happening. The ideal candidate will be aggressive when it comes to breaking news and enthusiastic about identifying new ways to produce coverage of the day’s top stories, including experimenting with innovative formats for live reporter hits.
The Livestream Producer will be a multi-skilled journalist capable of researching, gathering and producing original content daily. And they’ll have a nose for digging into the details of the day’s big story and the important issues facing Houston.
Our next Livestream Producer will have 1-3 years of experience of experience as a producer in a live broadcast news operation, including control room experience, strong editorial judgement and critical thinking skills, be proficient with digital tools and content management systems, and have an understanding of metrics for digital and streaming products.
College degree in Journalism or communication preferred.
To apply: Please send your resume to: Tiffani Lupenski, Livestreaming Executive Producer, tlupenski@kprc.com
Visit Click2houston.com to view learn more.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 1/15/23)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 1/15/23)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 1/15/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (relisted 1/15/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23, see ad above!)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23, see ad above!)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
KXTV. Sacramento, CA (listed 1/15/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 1/15/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 1/15/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 1/15/23)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 1/15/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/15/23)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 1/15/23)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, listed 1/15/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 1/15/23)
WWL-TV, New Orleans (AM EP, listed 1/15/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing modified 1/15/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (relisted 1/15/23)
KTAL-TV, Shreveport, LA (Digital EP, listed 1/15/23)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22)
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 1/15/23)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 12/18/22)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/15/23)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 1/9/23:
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer, see ad above!)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)
Obituaries:
Sherwin
TRAVIS SHERWIN, a longtime Hearst employee, passed away this week after a brief stay in hospice care. Services will be this week. I have few other details (though I have reached out to Hearst execs and will update my website if/when they respond). I believe he was currently working for Hearst’s Investigative unit and is a former ND for the company’s WPBF-TV in West Palm Beach. Here’s his outdated bio from that website.
Bradshaw
A memorial service for longtime newsman ADAM P. BRADSHAW will be held this Tuesday at 1:00 PM (CST) at First Baptist Church, 1200 Ninth St., Wichita Falls, TX. It will be live-streamed here. Adam was the ND at Nexstar’s KFDX/KJTL-TV in Wichita Falls when he died last Sunday at the age of 62. Memorial contributions can be made to either the American Diabetes Association or Investigative Reporters & Editors.
Names in the News:
Khemlani
The New York Post is reporting that CBS’s NEERAJ KHEMLANI is facing an internal HR probe. You can read the Post’s story here. It is not particularly pleasant. Neeraj is co-president of both CBS News and the owned stations division, a role he shares with WENDY McMAHON. He’s been criticized within CBS for cost-cutting and the way he treats underlings.
Meanwhile, changes at NBC News, where NOAH OPPENHEIM is stepping down as president and has cut a production deal with NBC Universal to produce projects. Many of his responsibilities will be taken by REBECCA BLUMENSTEIN, who has been a deputy managing editor at The New York Times. Here’s the Times story on the changes.
Speaking of management changes on a different level, there are some at KTIV-TV, Gray’s NBC affiliate in Sioux City, IA.
And some quick hits on a variety of stories:
Sinclair is dropping its 10:00 PM newscast on WUTV in Buffalo, costing four people their jobs. The Buffalo News‘ ALAN PERGAMENT has details in this story, where you will learn the anchor, meteorologist, and sportscaster anchored from other New York markets.
RTNDA announced winners of the 2023 First Amendment Awards. You’ll certainly recognize some of the names.
And two stories from Scripps:
The company has announced the names of six veteran print journalists for its Journalism Journalism Initiative. They will teach them video skills to keep their journalism talents in the industry. Google is supporting the initiative.
And Scripps and Cox have announced that Cox stations in Jacksonville and Orlando, FL, will partner with Scripps’ Florida 24 Network to provide content from those cities. This news release explains that The Florida 24 Network is a statewide over-the-top and over-the-air news network that provides real-time depth, context, and clarity to the biggest stories impacting Florida residents.
General Manager News and Notes:
Telemundo has made a number of GM changes at some of its stations. All the moves are outlined here in this story from Media Moves.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 15, 2023:
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
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WBRE/WYOU-TV, 62 S Franklin St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KFDX/KTJL-TV 4500 Seymour Hwy. Wichita Falls, TX 76309
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire. Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101
**: Spanish language station