October 22, 2023
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A rare cross-town move in a top ten market fills the largest market news director opening on our list.
Fernandez – Wische
AARON FERNANDEZ-WISCHE has been named (take a deep breath) Vice President of Content Creation and Distribution for FOX owned KRIV-TV in Houston. He’s been the Assistant ND at Graham Media’s KPRC-TV, just up (down?) Southwest Freeway, for the last five years, and first joined the station as Senior EP of Special Projects in 2012. Houston blogger MIKE McGUFF posted this story tonight, Aaron’s background is extensive and well detailed on his Linkedin page.
At KRIV, Aaron replaces SUSAN SCHILLER who left in September after seven years there.
And a little tease for Sunday’s edition: we’ll have what I believe will be an exclusive video on a big change coming to one of network television’s longest-running franchise segments.
That and much more on Sunday.
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Greetings:
It’s a busy and full newsletter, which helps explain why we are a little later than normal in our distribution.
There are FOUR new news director openings, while FOUR jobs have been filled. That leaves our list of open ND job as XX. TWO of these open ND jobs are among our THREE Paid Help Wanted ads, the other is for an EP job at a network o-and-o in Los Angeles.
And if you want to help find a solution to burnout in TV news, the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri has teamed up with SmithGeiger to conduct a study in search of a solution. You can contribute by taking the survey.
A veteran GM with a most interesting and diverse career is retiring. Tjhat’s below, along with details of another book from a former Ohio ND, and we have a link to Gray Television’s presentation to investors.
All that and more as you read on.
Newly Named News Directors:
News 12 New Jersey, Edison, NJ…MICHELLE MURRAY is the new ND for this Altice owned cable news channel. Michelle has had a number of jobs in sports television and also worked at the Black News Channel. Her Linkedin page details her entire career. She replaces TEISHA PARKER who is now the Assistant ND at WVIT-TV (NBC) in Hartford.
We’ve been a little behind in reporting other News 12 news.
Kowalski
STAN KOWALSKI is now the ND at News 12 Long Island, replacing ROBERT RIVAS who left after just over a year. Stan had been the ND at News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn. As best I can tell, Stan has not been replaced at News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn. Full disclosure: Stan’s first job in TV was an editor for me at WTOL-TV in Toledo.
Yost
WDTV, Bridgeport, WV…and we’re a little tardy in reporting that CHRIS YOST has been promoted to news director for this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. He’d been the assistant ND there, and a producer before that. You’ll learn in his station bio that he’s a native of West Virginia. His promotion came this summer, shortly after BRENT BONFLEUR left (after two years as ND) to become ND at Gray’s WDBJ-TV in Roanoke.
Johnson
WLOX-TV, Biloxi, MS…we learn of new NDs in different ways. Here it came in an “I’ve left the station and you should contact newly named ND RENEE JOHNSON.” email. As of now, her station bio has not been updated but Renee’s been the Digital Content Manager for this Gray owned station. The “I’ve left the station…” email was from BRAD KESSIE who’s headed to WOOD-TV (NBC) in Grand Rapids, MI as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Baynes
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA…MARY BAYNES has left this CBS operation (KMAX is an independent). Mary was ND for about 18 months following four years as the Assistant ND there. It was her second stint at KOVR: she’d been the EP and a producer earlier in her career, with a four year run as an EP at KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles in between. Apologies, by the way, for using the wrong caption under her picture in Friday’s UPDATE.
Davis
WKBN/WYTV-TV, Youngstown, OH…I’m sorry to tell you that health issues have forced MITCH DAVIS to step down as news director for this Nexstar operation. Mitch posted this message on social media with more details. He’s been the ND here for ten years and worked in several markets in the Carolinas. Nexstar owns WKBN (CBS) and provides services to WYTV (ABC), owned by Vaughan Media.)
Howard
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR…after almost four years as news director, JERRY HOWARD will become Director of Community Outreach for this Allen Media Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. Jerry’s extensive career history is here. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.
KIDY/KXVA-TV, San Angelo/Abilene, TX…GABE VELA is returning to San Antonio as an EP for KENS-TV. He was a producer at KENS before taking the ND job for these FOX stations two years ago. All these stations are owned by Tegna.
And be sure to check out the ad for the open ND job at Tegna’s WCNC-TV (NBC) in Charlotte, a vacancy created when ND CARRIE HOFFMAN was promoted to a GM job. That’s below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KDRV-TV, Medford OR:
Can you help make a news operation that’s already a dominant #1 even stronger? Allen Media’s KDRV-TV (ABC) in Medford, Oregon, is looking for a news director ready to meet the challenge. Our next ND will be a hands-on leader with a successful track record as a mentor and motivator. Great opportunity for an assistant news director, executive producer, managing editor, assignment manager, or senior producer to step up and lead a newsroom.
KDRV is located in the beautiful Rogue Valley near the Southern Oregon Wine Trail and is just a short drive away from great hiking, mountain biking, skiing, golfing, fishing, whitewater rafting, the Britt Festival’s concerts under the stars, and the Tony award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival. If you still need an occasional big city fix, then Portland and San Francisco are just a quick direct flight or a few hours’ drive away. Or visit redwood forest, Crater Lake National Park and the Oregon coast all in our coverage area.
All of this is available along with a competitive salary and benefits from a station that has been the ratings leader in the Medford-Klamath Falls market for more than thirty years.
If all of this sounds appealing, then click here to apply!
A PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN IS REQUIRED along with a good driving record. Must possess or be able to obtain an Oregon driver’s license. KDRV-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Executive Producer, KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA:
NBC is looking for a dynamic leader who can effectively oversee dayside coverage and make editorial decisions for the owned station in Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will also be responsible for assisting with newsroom operations and supervising editorial content for multi-platform delivery. The candidate must have a critical combination of excellent news judgement and management skills. This position would report directly to the VP of News for NBC4.
Essential Responsibilities:
· Overseeing editorial coverage day-to-day including breaking news, ensuring it is competitive across all platforms
· Copy edits scripts for factual integrity and style
· Collaborate with newsroom leadership, other NBC Owned Television stations and NBC News for special events planning as well as day-to-day coverage
· Responsible for scheduling editorial staff to ensure proper coverage
· Participate in the performance appraisal process for assigned editorial staff in conjunction with the VP of News
· Participate in the NBC4 recruitment efforts and facilitate the newsroom orientation of new employees when needed
· Track market competitive trends, develop and implement show content and format changes, and articulate vision to employees
· Works with Creative Services to craft promotions that attract a wide audience
Basic Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism or related field, or equivalent work experience
· Minimum 5 years of experience working in news management or 7 years of main show producing in a top 10 market.
· Must be able to work flexible hours including weekends, holidays and overnights
· Bilingual in Spanish desired but not required
Click here to learn more and apply!
Professional training opportunity:
- Nov. 8: Science essentials for local reporters, a free SciLine “Crash Course.” Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Dr. Tori Espensen will lay out key do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when including science in your news reporting.
Experts available for Zoom interviews:
Training opportunities:
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23)
WFOR-TV, Miami, FL (listed 9/3/23)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WJZ-TV, Baltimore, MD (AND/Mornings, listed 10/22/23)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (relisted 9/10/23)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (listed 9/10/23)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (relisted 10/22/23)
WJHL-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 10/1/23)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 9/10/23)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, listed 8/28/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/22/23, see ad above!)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 10/8/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 10/22/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/8/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 9/10/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/10/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 10/8/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 9/10/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 9/10/23)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/10/23)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listing modified 9/17/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson Coty, TN (listed 10/22/23)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 10/22/23)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 10/1/23:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Assignment Desk Manager)
Listed 9/10/23:
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Digital Director)
Listed 8/20/23:
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)
Names in the News:
Like the weather, everyone talks about burnout in television news. Now, the Reynolds Journalism Institute is conducting a survey to try and find solutions. RJI has partnered with SmithGeiger on the project. You’re invited to take the survey. Just click here!
Gray Television released its presentation to investors. Like the one we shared from Nexstar last week, there’s some interesting reading here.
Knopps
Former Toledo News Director ANTHONY KNOPPS has released a new book, his third. This one centers around a young boy who learns his father suffered a traumatic brain injury while overseas. That’s a subject with which Anthony is familiar, as he suffered his own TBI four years ago. Check out this note Anthony sent me where you’ll learn more about his book and that proceeds go to a military charity.
General Manager News and Notes:
Land
ERIC LAND is retiring, and what a career he’s had. For the last eight years, he’s been General Manager for Sinclair’s WBMA-TV in Birmingham, AL. That’s one of several GM jobs along the way, a career which also included several jobs in the aviation industry, and a two year stint as Chief Operating Officer of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers! His retirement announcement (via Linkedin) is here, while his entire career path is also on Linkedin.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 22, 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
KRIV-TV 4261 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77027
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WDIV-TV 550 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
KOVR/KMAX-TV 2713 Kovr Dr West Sacramento CA 95605
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217 (see ad above)
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WATE-TV 1306 North Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1 Roanoke, VA 24019
WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
WKBN/WYTV 3930 Sunset Blvd. Youngstown, OH 44512
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, IL 61265
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Exec. ND)
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504 (see ad above!)
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, MS 39301
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
KTVH-TV 100 W Lyndale Ave. Ste A. Helena, MT 59601
KNOP-TV 402 S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101
**: Spanish language station