December 5, 2021
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 UDPATE:
Greetings:
A bit of a surprise today (at least to me) as a longtime Louisville news director leaves for a new job.
Fulmer
BARRY FULMER, who’s been the news director for WDRB-TV in Louisville for (Block Communications/FOX affiliate) for 17 years, is leaving. He’s moving up I-71 to become Senior Director of Local Media Content (many of us would call that news director) for WCPO-TV, the Scripps owned ABC affiliate in Cincinnati. More details in this story.
Barry in is second stint at WDRB, having first worked there as a producer from 1991-96. He spent the next two years at WTXF-TV (FOX owned) in Philadelphia as a producer. Barry began his career at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA.
At WCPO, he replaces MIKE CANAN who moved to a job with the Scripps Foundation. He was Senior Director Local Content there for two years, part of a 20+ year career with Scripps, much of it in print.
We’ll see you this weekend for our full report.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
You can credit (or blame, you make the call) travel for the unusually early posting of our weekly screed covering news director and news management opening.
There are FOUR new openings.
There are THREE new news directors.
And there are 40 41 stations looking for a new news director, THREE have paid ads in this week’s edition.
No obits.
FOUR items in our GM News and Notes section: THREE are new GMs, while a longtime Kansas City GM is retiring.
And in Names in the News…the search is on to bill a big opening at CBS News. A longtime California newsman is getting ready to retire, and we have a few other news managers on the move.
We’ll see you next week with our full newsletter.
Newly Named News Directors:
WWDCW/WDVM-TV, Washington, DC…this newly created Nexstar duopoly has hired BEN DOBSON to launch the news department. Ben most recently was the ND for NBC’s WBTS-TV, in Boston, a job he left in September after three years, ending almost ten years of employment with NBC. He’d also been the news director for NBC’s Hartford, CT station, WVIT-TV, where he began his NBC career.
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL…STEPHANIE LINTON moves up within Hearst (and up within Florida) as she’ll be the next ND for this NBC affiliate. More here. For almost three years, she’s been the ND for Hearst’s WPBF-TV (ABC) in W. Palm Beach. Stephanie also worked in San Francisco, Miami and Charlotte. At WESH, Stephanie replaces KIRSTEN WOLFF who left to become the next ND for NBC’s WBTS-TV in Boston. Kirsten was ND at WESH for eight years and worked there for 15.
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN…DAN FABRIZIO heads south on I-65 to be the next ND for this newly acquired by Gray NBC affiliate. Dan’s spent the last 2 1/2 years as ND for Gray’s WAVE-TV (NBC) in Louisville. He’s also been an ND for in Charleston/Huntington, WV, Charleston, SC, and Providence, and worked as a reporter in Miami and Columbus, OH. In Nashville he replaces MITCH JACOB who left in June and is now ND for KNXV-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Phoenix.
New News Director Openings:
WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY…careful readers will remember that we told you just above that DAN FABRIZIO is leaving this Gray owned NBC affiliate to become ND for one of Gray’s newest stations, the former Meredith NBC operation in Nashville, WSMV-TV. Dan was ND here about 2 1/2 years.
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN…another Gray transfer causes an ND opening at this NBC affiliate. GREG PHILLIPS, the ND here for almost four years, is off to work with the Gray Investigative unit in New Orleans, where he worked before Memphis as the Assistant ND at Gray’s WVUE-TV (FOX, owned by Raycom when he worked there). He’s also worked at another NOLA station, andmin Houston, Phoenix and Austin, TX.
WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS…LIZ ZAMORA has left this Allen Media owned NBC/ABC operation. She was there just over 2 1/2 years, and had previously worked as an assistant news director in Albany, GA and Reno, NV. She’s also worked as a reporter/anchor in Kansas City, Topeka, KS, St. Joseph, MO, and as a freelancer for CBS Newspath.
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY…STONE GRISSOM is leaving this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. He was there just over a year. His twitter account promises a big professional announcement coming soon and hints a return to a former job. He’s a former lawyer who moved to TV and anchored at News 12 Long Island for 10 years before moving into management. Stone’s also anchored in Baton Rouge.
And it’s not a new opening, but please note the paid help wanted ad just below for the vacant ND job at Nexstar’s KXMB-TV in Bismarck, ND. We told you in early November that TIA STREETER was leaving the station.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KXMB-TV, Bismarck, ND:
Become an ND in ND!
Nexstar Nation is looking for a News Director to lead our KX Television Network of stations in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The ideal candidate will be a coach and a teacher. You will lead an experienced team of anchors and meteorologists producing news from studios in Bismarck and Minot, North Dakota.
This is an incredible opportunity to earn your first News Director stripe or to come back to a region filled with opportunity and growth. You will be joining the largest TV station ownership group in the country where promoting from within is a real thing.
Live in a beautiful part of the country surrounded by heritage, history and the great outdoors!
Oh- and did I mention – Western North Dakota is the fastest growing DMA in the country moving from #160 to #141 since 2006.
You got big dreams? We have big opportunities. Great things are happening in Nexstar. What are you waiting for? Apply here:
News Director, KIMT-TV, Rochester, MN:
KIMT-TV is seeking the next leader of our Rochester, Minnesota newsroom.
This is an excellent opportunity to work for Allen Media Broadcasting, a progressive broadcast company with a winning attitude, while enjoying a diverse, Midwestern and rapidly-growing city, home to the renowned Mayo Clinic. We are passionate about local news, very competitive and thrive on new ideas and technologies.
Our News Director will be responsible for managing the newsroom, executing strategies that engage and grow audiences and provides strong news judgment and journalistic integrity. The ability to recruit, train and inspire young journalists is a must.
Candidates must have a broad understanding of newsroom operations, advanced oral and written communication skills and team-building skills. The ability to work in a high-stress environment and three to five years of previous newsroom oversight is required.
Allen Media Broadcasting offers a generous benefit and time-off plan.
To apply, please visit www.kimt.com or send cover letter and resume to: hr@kimt.com
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug test and a background screening. Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law.)
EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability
News Director, KAPP-KVEW-TV, Yakima, WA/Kennewick, WA:
Ready to lead a newsroom that values people-powered journalism and community impact?
KAPP-KVEW TV, the local ABC affiliate in the Yakima/Tri Cities market of Washington state, is seeking an experienced and innovative News Director to lead our news team in overseeing all aspects of daily news operation including developing quality multi-platform content for coverage of our local communities.
Yakima, WA and Kennewick, WA are ideal markets for new journalists to launch their careers, so you must have the ability to lead, coach, motivate and develop the news team while fostering an environment of creativity, teamwork, and high ethical standards.
The Tri-Cities is a booming metropolitan area in southeast WA where the sun shines 300 days of the year! Tri-Cities offers amazing outdoor views, cultural diversity and is known as the “Heart of Washington Wine Country.”
We are a family-owned, people-first newsroom. Our community is at the core of what we do and who we are, and we believe it is our duty to inform and inspire.
For a full description of the job and application instructions, click here.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, listed 10/24/21)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 10/24/21)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake, UT (11/7/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 10/24/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 10/3/21)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 10/24/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 10/3/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 10/10/21)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (EP, Lifestyle Show, listed 10/3/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/10/21)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 10/10/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (new listing this week)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted this week)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/28/21)
WDSU-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 9/12/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 11/28/21)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, listed 10/24/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/24/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, listed 9/26/21)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (listed 10/3/21)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (listed 10/3/21)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)
KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR (listed 10/10/21)
More News Management Openings:
New listing this week:
News Nation, Chicago, IL: (News Director – Digital)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)
Relisted this week:
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 11/28/21:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Listed 11/21/21:
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY: (Assistant Professor)
Relisted 11/21/21:
New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Relisted 10/31/21
Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)
Listed 10/24/21:
E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Director of Community Connection and Inclusive Journalism)
Relisted 10/10/21:
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Names in the News:
Ciprian-Matthews
CBS News is on the lookout for a new Washington Bureau Chief with the news that INGRID CIPRIAN-MATTHEWS has been promoted to VP of Newsgathering for the network. More details in this release. She first joined the network in 1993 as a senior producer for live segments for the morning news and has held a number of positions during her 28 years at CBS. She’s also worked for CNN and NPR,where she began as a reporter for an NPR Spanish language program.
Stimson
47 years! That’s how long JIM STINSON has worked at KCRA-TV (NBC) in Sacramento. And that doesn’t include his time as an intern before he went on the payroll. It all ends at the end of the year with his retirement. Check out this story from the station’s website, which includes some comments from some of his co-workers. Best wishes to Jim for a long, healthy, and enjoyable retirement.
Hatmaker
KELLY HATMAKER is headed to FOX’s KCPQ-TV in Seattle as the new assistant news director, leaving KHQ-TV in Spokane. He appeared in these pages just a few months ago (September) when we told you that he was leaving the ND job at KHQ and moving to a new role within Cowles, helping develop a new streaming product for the company. He was the ND there for 2+ years, and has also worked in San Diego, Portland, OR, St, Louis, Columbus, OH, and New Haven, CT.
Horn
MATT HORN moves from one NBC affiliate to another as he’s been named Morning EP for Graham Media’s KPRC-TV in Houston. He’s held the same job at now-Gray-but-used-to-be-Meredith’s WSMV-TV in Nashville. He’s also worked in Phoenix, Boston, Norfolk, Wichita, Youngstown, OH, and Pocatello, ID, where he started as an anchor/reporter.
General Manager News and Notes:
Smith
After ten years at the station, and 15 years with owner Hearst, SARAH SMITH will retire at the end of the year as General Manager of KMBC-TV (ABC) in Kansas City. More details in this story from the station website. Before Kansas City, Sarah served as GM for Hearst’s Omaha station, KETV. She also ran a station in Chico, CA, and held sales management positions at a number of stations.
Keith
Hearst did fill a general manager opening this week, by tapping PETER KEITH to run WAPT-TV (ABC) in Jackson, MS. He’s been the general sales manager there for the last four years. Peter replaces MIKE NEELLY, a former news director, who was promoted to run Hearst’s WDSU-TV (NBC) in New Orleans.
Nexstar filled two open General Manager jobs this week:
Hart
A former news director, DAVID HART, was promoted to GM for WSAV-TV (NBC) in Savannah, GA. It’s not his first GM job: he’s been the GM for WRBL-TV in Columbus, GA, since 2012.
And CHRIS COOK was named GM for Nexstar’s KLFY-TV in Lafayette, LA, where he earlier worked as a photographer. Chris later moved into sales and most recently was sales manager for
(CW) in Indianapolis.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 5, 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
News 12 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW. Atlanta, GA 30318
KPHO/KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento California 95815-5008 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd. Palm Beach Gardens , FL 33410
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas, NV 89109
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WBAY-TV 115 S Jefferson St Green Bay, WI 54301
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
WTVG-TV 4247 Dorr St. Toledo, OH 43607
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336 (see ad above!)
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320, Tupelo, MS 38802
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 (see ad above!)
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 (see ad above!)
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW Rochester, MN 55902
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503
**: Spanish language station
