Rick Gevers & Associates

March 7, 2015

Thursday, March 12, 2015:

An almost top-ten market gets a new news director.

Kline

CHRIS KLINE has been promoted to ND for Scripps’ KNXV-TV in Phoenix (now market #11. Didn’t realize that!).

He’s been the Director of New Media for this ABC affiliate. Chris has worked there for eight years, in roles ranging from reporter to web producer to executive producer. Before KNXV, he worked as a convergence journalist for the Arizona Republic and at CNN’s Crossfire in Washington.

Here’s the news release from General Manager ANITA HELT.

Chris replaces PAT COSTELLO who left after the Super Bowl to return to Seattle where he is now the ND for KOMO-TV.

It’s a busy week…we’ll have lots to report in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Wednesday, March 11, 2015 UPDATE:

Here’s a surprise involving a veteran broadcaster, Gannett, and Scripps.

Sullivan

BOB SULLIVAN, who’s been the Vice President of Programming for Scripps, is leaving the company for a newly created position as Senior Vice President of Programming for Gannett.

It’s return to Gannett for Bob, who’s worked for the company in a variety of locations in jobs ranging from General Manager to Station Manager to News Director to Assistant News Director.

He’s also run his own consulting company and was President of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee in 2008.

Click here to see the memo that Gannett President of Broadcasting DAVE LOUGEE sent to the company’s general managers.

We’ll have all the latest news in our full report later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, March 9, 2015 UPDATE:

Cleveland’s WOIO/WUAB-TV has filled its vacant news director position with an experienced news director who once worked for a competitor.

D’Ambrosi

FRED D’AMBROSI was named ND of this Raycom owned CBS/CW duopoly today. Earlier in his career, Fred worked as a producer for WKYC-TV in Cleveland.

He later went on to be a news director in Milwaukee, San Diego, and Washington, DC, and has also worked in Pittsburgh and Green Bay.

Here’s a link to Fred’s Linkedin page, and you can see the company’s news release by clicking here.

At WOIO/WUAB, he replaces DAN SALAMONE who resigned in January to (in his words) “move on to a new challenge.”

Also, the emailed version of our full newsletter you received on Saturday contained a bad link to the story about JILL GEISLER‘s move to Loyola University. The correct link is here.

We’ll have more in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

There are TWO new ND openings in this week’s report, with, to the best of my knowledge, NO new NDs this week. Our court of open ND jobs grows to 28.

Do read on, though, for a number of items of interest, including a new job for a longtime Poynter faculty member, and two promotions for folks at North Carolina station. There are ads for TWO positions, one in television, and one outside of TV.

And for the second week in a row, there’s a lot of General Manager news.

All that, and more, below!

New News Director Openings:

KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA…JESSICA ROE has left this Cowles-owned NBC affiliate after about nine months as news director. She’s previously worked for four stations in Denver, and at stations in San Francisco, Albuquerque, and Colorado Springs. When she took this position, she had spent the previous four years working for the state of Colorado.

KMIZ-TV, Columbia, MO…this News Press & Gazette ABC affiliate is looking for a new news director, following last week’s promotion of CURTIS VARNS to General Manager after 16 years as News Director.

Newly Named News Directors:

I’m not aware of any newly named news directors. If you are, please let me know via an email to: rick@rickgevers.com.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Digital Executive Producer, WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH:

WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio is looking for a Digital Executive Producer (DEP).

The DEP is the regulator for all content and is responsible for the development of all the content on all current platforms and any that may develop in the future. The DEP reports to the Digital Director and News Director.

The DEP also helps to set the expectations and follow up with newsroom staff to constantly add new, urgent and in-depth content to wdtn.com and social media 24-7. The DEP breeds a culture where our priority is placed on multi-platform efforts that live the 24 Hour 2 News brand.

Click here to learn more about this job, and for instructions on how to apply.

Indianapolis Prize Producer/Event Co-ord., Indianapolis, IN:

The Indianapolis Zoo seeks a producer for The Indianapolis Prize, a major conservation award and gala. The ideal candidate will help shape the focus and direction of the program and have the opportunity to grow his or her role and responsibility over time.

The Indianapolis Prize is the largest individual monetary award for animal species conservation in the world, with an unrestricted award of $250,000 to the winner.

Since its inception in 2005, the Indianapolis Prize has drawn international attention to conservation issues and receives extensive media coverage in the U.S. and abroad. This prestigious award is given every other year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to animal conservation, and is presented at a 1,000 person black tie gala.

Here’s a chance to use your writing, organizational, and TV production skills to help advance animal conservation, and work (mostly!) normal hours.

Permanent, full-time position with benefits. Learn more about the Prize and this opportunity by clicking on these links: About the Prize.  About the job.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 12/27/14)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/27/14)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 1/11/15)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (listed 3/1/15)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (relisted 2/22/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (2 positions, Dayside & Weekend, listed 1/18/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 1/3/15)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/7/15)
WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL, (listed 2/1/15)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (Morning EP, listed 1/26/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 1/18/15)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Morning EP, relisted 2/1/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 1/11/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 2/15/15)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Morning EP, relisted this week)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 2/1/15)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 3/1/15, see ad above!)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 1/11/15)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 1/18/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 2/22/15)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 1/18/15)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/15/15)

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Geisler

JILL GEISLER has a new job. She’s joined Loyola University as the Bill Plante Chair of Leadership and Media Integrity. Jill spent 16 years on the faculty at Poynter before reducing her role there in 2014. She’s a former ND for WITI-TV in Milwaukee. There’s more details on her new role in this story.

There are two management updates for WGHP-TV in Greensboro/High Point, NC. ERIC OLSEN has been promoted to Assistant News Director from EP. And MARGARET KREGER has been promoted from 10:00 PM Producer to Nightside EP. The station continues to look for a new morning EP.

General Manager News:

Another week, another long list of general manager news.

Remington

We were first to report the appointment of former ND BRAD REMINGTON to fill the long-vacant GM position at Scripps’ KMGH-TV, the ABC affiliate in Denver. It’s a return to KMGH for Brad, who left as Managing Editor in 1996 for the first of four jobs as a news director, beginning in Albuquerque, then St. Louis, Denver (KDVR-TV, the FOX station) and Phoenix, before returning to Denver 2+ years ago. Brad’s wife, NAN, had stayed in Denver for her job, and they’d been commuting for four years. He opened a franchise business in the interim. Here’s more in the company’s news release.

Raycom named three new general managers this week, at:

WTOL-TV in Toledo, where BRIAN LORENZEN will replace the retiring BOB CHIRDON. Earlier in his career, Brian worked at WUPW-TV, the FOX affiliate in Toledo. He most recently has been sales manager at KRQE/KASA-TV in Albuquerque.

KOLD-TV in Tucson, where NICK ULMER replaces DEBBIE BUSH, who’s headed to Cincinnati to run the company’s WXIX-TV there. Ulmer has been the GM at WFIE-TV in Evansville, where he’ll be replaced by JAY HIETT who’s been the GSM for that NBC affiliate.

Serra

Finally, congratulations to old friend and college classmate JIM SERRA who’s been named Broadcaster of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. Jim’s been the GM at Raycom’s KPLC-TV in Lake Charles, since 1990. He’s worked there twice, first in the news department in 1975, then returning for a sales position in the early 1980’s. Jim also worked in news in Shreveport, Louisville, Miami, and St. Louis, where we worked together at KSDK-TV. More on his award in this story.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, March 7, 2015.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KABC-TV 500 Circle Seven Drive Glendale CA 91201
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KNXV-TV 515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
Central Florida News 13, 20 N. Orange Ave. Suite 13 Orlando FL 32801
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th St. Cleveland OH 44114
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Boulevard Portland OR 97232
KENS-TV 5400 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio TX 78229
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
WOOD-TV 120 College SE Grand Rapids MI 49503
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans 70116
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane WA 99201
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WJCL/WGTS 1375 Chatham Parkway Third Floor Savannah, GA 31405
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

March 2, 2015

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 UPDATE:

Another (former) news director moves to the big office!

Remington

BRAD REMINGTON starts Monday as the new VP/GM of Scripps’ KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver, in a move just announced.

It’s a return to KMGH for Brad, who was managing editor there until he took his first ND job in Albuquerque in 1996. He later moved to ND jobs in St. Louis, Denver (KDVR-TV, the FOX station), and Phoenix. He left Phoenix to return to Denver 2+ years ago after four years of commuting back to Denver, where his wife has a good job. He’s been running a franchised business there since.

Here’s the news release from the company.

He replaces BYRON GRANDY, who left the station suddenly last September after six years as GM. Byron had been the ND there before his promotion.

One of Brad’s first moves will be to hire a new news director to replace JEFF HARRIS, who transferred to another Scripps station, WEWS-TV in Cleveland, late last year.

Raycom also announced some new GMs today.  We;ll have that, and all the latest news, in our full newsletter later this week.

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

Just ONE new news director in this week’s report, and, to my knowledge, NO new openings to share with you. History tells us that could change next week, the first full week after the February rating. I do anticipate one of the larger ND openings will be filled in the next week to ten days, though.

That one change drops our list of open ND jobs to 26.

There are TWO ads this week, one for a Digital EP position, and another for an out-of-TV position that requires many skills a TV producer should have. That job is at the Indianapolis Zoo. Details on both below.

While we may not have a lot of ND changes, there are a ton of GM’s on the move. All that information is below, along with a promotion for a Sinclair news executive AND good news on the recovering-from-cancer front from a former Connecticut and New York ND.

Finally, we’ll you about the passing of a woman whose son (a well-known corporate VP/News) says she had just TWO bad days in her 101 years of a busy life.

All that…and more…as you read on.

New News Director Openings:

I’m not aware of any new openings. If you are, please let me know via an email to: rick@rickgevers.com.

Newly Named News Directors:

Rankin

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY…PHIL RANKIN has been promoted to News Director for this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the Digital News Manager here for the past 4+ years. Phil spent two years as a web producer here before a two year stint as the internet systems specialist for a local community college. He began his career as a backpack journalist in Watertown, NY. At WSYR, he replaces ROB CARTWRIGHT who left last September to become ND at KEYE-TV in Austin, TX.

And, as many of you know, last week I listed the wrong call letters in reporting the promotion of SCOTT LAWRENCE to ND in Beaumont, TX.  The correct call letters are KBMT-TV.  Apologies!

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Digital Executive Producer, WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH:

WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio is looking for a Digital Executive Producer (DEP).

The DEP is the regulator for all content and is responsible for the development of all the content on all current platforms and any that may develop in the future. The DEP reports to the Digital Director and News Director.

The DEP also helps to set the expectations and follow up with newsroom staff to constantly add new, urgent and in-depth content to wdtn.com and social media 24-7. The DEP breeds a culture where our priority is placed on multi-platform efforts that live the 24 Hour 2 News brand.

Click here to learn more about this job, and for instructions on how to apply.

Indianapolis Prize Producer/Event Co-ord., Indianapolis, IN:

The Indianapolis Zoo seeks a producer for The Indianapolis Prize, a major conservation award and gala. The ideal candidate will help shape the focus and direction of the program and have the opportunity to grow his or her role and responsibility over time.

The Indianapolis Prize is the largest individual monetary award for animal species conservation in the world, with an unrestricted award of $250,000 to the winner.

Since its inception in 2005, the Indianapolis Prize has drawn international attention to conservation issues and receives extensive media coverage in the U.S. and abroad. This prestigious award is given every other year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to animal conservation, and is presented at a 1,000 person black tie gala.

Here’s a chance to use your writing, organizational, and TV production skills to help advance animal conservation, and work (mostly!) normal hours.

Permanent, full-time position with benefits. Learn more about the Prize and this opportunity by clicking on these links: About the Prize.  About the job.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 12/27/14)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/27/14)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (listed 2/22/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 1/11/15)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (new listing this week)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (relisted 2/22/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (2 positions, Dayside & Weekend, listed 1/18/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 1/3/15)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/7/15)
WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL, (listed 2/1/15)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (Morning EP, listed 1/26/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 1/18/15)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Morning EP, relisted 2/1/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 1/11/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 2/15/15)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Morning EP, listing revised 1/3/15)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 2/1/15)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 1/11/15)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 1/18/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 2/22/15)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 1/18/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 12/27/14)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/15/15)

Obituary:

101 years old, and only two bad days last weekend. That’s pretty good. And that’s how Raycom’s VP of News, STEVE ACKERMANN, described the life (and death) of his mother, HELEN ACKERMANN, who died Friday at the above mentioned age of 101. A memorial service will be held Monday (3/2/15) morning in Dallas with the funeral in New Iberia, LA, on Tuesday. I had the pleasure of dinner with Helen and Steve a few years ago and she was delightful. Click here to learn more about her, and click here to send Steve a note of condolence.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Sinclair has promoted STAN HEIST from News Talent Manager to Director of News Training and Professional Development. The memo says: “In this new role, Stan will focus on expanding producer academies, storytelling workshops, best practices, on-line training and developing a newsroom leaders program.”

Former Hartford and Albany (NY) News Director PAUL LEWIS checked in this week to let me know that doctors tell him he’s clear of throat cancer after a series of treatments last summer. Paul has been working for a philanthropic foundation for the past five years but continues to coach a handful of reporters and anchors. He’d be happy to hear from old TV friends at: paulericlewis@gmail.com

General Manager News:

This week brings the largest amount of General Manager changes in the brief time we’ve tried to chronicle those moves.

OUT: KEVIN HALE at KTTV-TV in Los Angeles. He’s retiring later this year after 11 years at this FOX o-and-o. He previously ran FOX stations in Phoenix and Memphis. The Los Angeles Times has more here.

IN and OUT: At Boston’s WHDH-TV, PAUL MANGES was promoted to GM from Director of Sales, replacing ROBERT “BUBBA” BURNES who just took that job last June.

IN: Two new General Managers in St. Louis. MIKE MURPHY leaves Birmingham’s WBMA-TV after 12 years to become GM for Meredith’s KMOV-TV in St. Louis. And former Magid consultant and Hearst and Gannett executive MARV DANIELSKI has been promoted from station manager to GM for Gannett’s KSDK-TV.

OUT: ARDYTH DIERCKS (who was once GM at KSDK) is leaving WATN-TV in Memphis after just two years at the helm of this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. She’s a former GM in Washington, DC, Miami, and Austin, TX.

IN: CHRIS MUSIAL, former ND and then GM for WIVB-TV in Buffalo, has been named GM for WBBZ-TV there, the Me-TV affiliate. Chris retired from WIVB in 2013. More in this article.

IN: MARK OVERSTREET is the new GM for Nexstar’s WZDX-TV, the FOX affiliate in Huntsville, AL.

IN: Another News Director becomes GM, this time at News Press & Gazette’s KMIZ-TV in Columbia, MO, where CURTIS VARNS is being promoted. He’s been ND here for 16 years and worked at this ABC station for 20 years. Here’s the memo announcing the promotion from NPG’s COO MIKE MEARA. NPG now has at least FIVE general mangers who were news directors at one point in their careers.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, March 1, 2015.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KABC-TV 500 Circle Seven Drive Glendale CA 91201
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KNXV-TV 515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
Central Florida News 13, 20 N. Orange Ave. Suite 13 Orlando FL 32801
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th St. Cleveland OH 44114
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Boulevard Portland OR 97232
KENS-TV 5400 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio TX 78229
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
WOOD-TV 120 College SE Grand Rapids MI 49503
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans 70116
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WJCL/WGTS 1375 Chatham Parkway Third Floor Savannah, GA 31405
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

February 23, 2015

Greetings:

By my count, there are still 27 stations looking for news directors after a week that saw ONE new opening and THREE open positions filled. Of note: all three positions were filled from within the station.

Also, we erred last week in reporting GRIFF BENNER‘s move to Assistant ND at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA. That’s correct. However, his former job at WCAV/WVAW-TV in Charlottesville, VA, was filled in December by VAL THOMPSON, whose name I butchered in a item in our mid-week UPDATE. It’s bad when you have to correct a correction.

No news director ads this week, but we do have a paid ad for an EP opening in Birmingham. And we welcome back Ivanhoe Broadcast News which has a new product. Check out their ad below.

Just one item in Names in the News…a new Senior VP/News at Tribune, which we told you about in a mid-week UPDATE. And we have several GMs on the move, two leaving their current stations and one coming out of retirement after just two months.

All that and more…after this ad for a new service from Ivanhoe:

New News Director Openings:

Murrieta

Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL…after four years as ND, and eleven working here, RUDY MURRIETA has left this Bright House Networks owned 24 hour cable news channel.  He joined the operation in 2003 as the Assistant News Director.  He’s also worked in San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Ft. Myers.

Newly Named News Directors:

Daniels

WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC…KEVIN DANIELS has been promoted to News Director for this Tribune owned FOX affiliate. Kevin’s been the interim ND here since KAREN KOUTSKY left at the end of 2014 to become ND for WJZY/WMYT-TV in Charlotte, NC. She was here for 14 years. Kevin’s been at the station for 15 years, most recently as the Assistant News Director. He’s also worked in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Sarasota, and Gainesville, FL.

KFDM-TV, Beaumont, TX…in another promotion from a longtime time employee to News Director, SCOTT LAWRENCE moves into the bigger office for this Sinclair-owned CBS affiliate. He’s been the Executive Producer here and replaces his longtime boss, DAVID LOWELL, who was ND there for 28 years. Dave left last month after 34 years at the station.

Tefertiller

KWES-TV, Midland, TX…Chief Meterologist TOM TEFERTILLER is assuming additional duties as News Director for this NBC affiliate which is owned by Drewry Communications. Tom’s been at the station for more than 20 years and previously worked in Columbus, MS, and Victoria, TX. He replaces DAVID MARINO who left late last year to become a Senior Producer for Time Warner Cable’s news operation in Austin, TX. (Tom’s not the first chief meteorologist to become ND: STEVE BRAY made that move at WISH-TV in Indianapolis more than two years ago.)

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL:

WIAT-TV (CBS) in Birmingham, Alabama (market #43)is searching for an experienced Executive Producer.

It’s a brand new look at WIAT 42 News in Birmingham! This is an excellent opportunity to join a team that is expanding and growing. We are devoted to bring in the best staff to grow our newly outfitted station!

Candidate must define a strategic direction for content coverage, manage newsroom, contribute to the editorial process and make solid decisions in breaking news situations. The Executive Producer should execute strategies that grow audiences across all media devices.

To apply, go to: http://wiat.com/wiat-42-careers/ or email rob.martin@wiat.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 12/27/14)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/27/14)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (new listing this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 1/11/15)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (relisted this week)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (2 positions, Dayside & Weekend, listed 1/18/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 1/3/15)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/7/15)
WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL, (listed 2/1/15)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (Morning EP, listed 1/26/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 1/18/15)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Morning EP, relisted 2/1/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 1/11/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 2/15/15, see ad above!)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Morning EP, listing revised 1/3/15)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 2/1/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 1/11/15)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 1/18/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (new listing this week)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 1/18/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 12/27/14)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/15/15)

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Feder

BART FEDER will start in early March as the Senior Vice President of News for Tribune Media, replacing KATHERINE GREEN. Bart most recently worked as a Senior VP at CNN, leaving in 2013, after five years at the network. He served for seven years as President and CEO of The FeedRoom. Bart was a news director in New York, Boston, Sacramento, and Jacksonville, FL. The news release announcing his hire can be found here, and a click here will lead you to his Linkedin page.

General Manager News:

BOB CHIRDON, who’s been the GM for Raycom’s WTOL-TV in Toledo, OH, since 2001, will retire at the end of March. He joined the station in as the General Sales Manager, and previously worked in Cleveland.  Click here to read a note from Raycom’s JEFF ROSSER to the WTOL staff, and also see Bob’s note to the employees.

WJET-TV (Erie, PA) General Manager TIM DUNST is leaving the station at the end of March to go into business for himself, according to a Facebook post. He’s run the Nextsar owned ABC affiliate for more than seven years. Nexstar also operates the local FOX affiliate.

DAN MODISETT, who retired in December as General Manager of WLBT-TV in Jackson, MS, will be the next GM for WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS. The station was recently acquired by Heartland Media. PHIL SULLIVAN, the current GM, had already announced his retirement. More in this story.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, February 22, 2015.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KABC-TV 500 Circle Seven Drive Glendale CA 91201
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KNXV-TV 515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
Central Florida News 13, 20 N. Orange Ave. Suite 13 Orlando FL 32801
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th St. Cleveland OH 44114
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Boulevard Portland OR 97232
KENS-TV 5400 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio TX 78229
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
WOOD-TV 120 College SE Grand Rapids MI 49503
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans 70116
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WJCL/WGTS 1375 Chatham Parkway Third Floor Savannah, GA 31405
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

February 16, 2015

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 UPDATE:

Tribune Media has hired a former news director and CNN executive to be its Senior Vice President of News.

Feder

BART FEDER, who’s run newsrooms in New York, Boston, Sacramento, and Jacksonville, FL, will start March 2nd. Bart most recently served as Senior VP of CNN, where he worked for five years. He also spent seven years as President at CEO of The FeedRoom. Click here to read the news release about his hire, and you can see his Linkedin page by clicking here.

He replaces KATHERINE GREEN, who stepped down in December after seven months. She cited the heavy travel demands as being too tough on her family.

Two other items:

Congratulations to KEVIN DANIELS, who’s been promoted to news director for WGHP-TV in Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC.

And in our last edition, we told you that GRIFF BENNER was leaving WCAV/WVAW-TV in Charlottesville, VA, to become the Assistant News Director for WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA. Griff actually left the stations last fall and has been replaced by VAL THOMPSON. Apologies to all.

We’ll have more in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

FOUR new news director openings, and TWO open jobs were filled this week. leaving our count of open ND jobs at 30. One of those openings was created by an ND promotion to GM in the number two market.

We also have ads for THREE positions, including a blind box ad for a news director opportunity.

In Names in the News, we have details about a former ND landing her third GM opportunity and a change of career path for a former news director.

All that and more…as you read on.

New News Director Openings:

Fair

KABC-TV, Los Angeles, CA…we told you last Wednesday that longtime news director CHERYL FAIR is being promoted to general manager for this ABC owned station. Cheryl’s been the ND for 20 years, and worked for 20 years at ABC’s WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, beginning as a producer, then managing editor, and eventually executive producer. She began her career at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. She’s replacing longtime GM ARNIE KLEINER who retired. Click here to read the story from the station’s website.

WLTV-TV, Miami, FL…Media Moves reports on a shakeup at this Univision station that saw both news director DANIEL MORCATE and EP ROBERTO PONS leave. More details in this story.

Howard

KTVL-TV, Medford, OR…after 35 years in our business, RICK HOWARD will retire in April as news director for this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. Rick’s been the ND here for more than four years, and earlier was the ND for another Medford station, KDRV-TV. He’s also been a news director in Portland, OR, and Richmond. Rick tells me he loves the Medford area and will continue to live there after his retirement.

Benner

WCAV/WVAW-TV, Charlottesville, VA…GRIFF BENNER is leaving this Gray TV CBS/ABC duopoly to become the Assistant ND for WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA. It’s a return to the market for Griff, who once worked at another station there. He first joined WCAV/WVAW in 2005 as Assistant ND before being promoted to ND in 2012. He’s also worked in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Columbia, SC.  Note UPDATE above.  VAL THOMPSON was named ND here last December.

Newly Named News Directors:

Csanyi-Salcedo

KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX…ZOLTAN CSANYI-SALCEDO returns to the ND chair for this Sinclair-owned CBS affiliate. Zoltan’s spent the last two years as a coordinating producer for ESPN in Bristol, CT. A one-time ND at the Telemundo station in Dallas, Zoltan’s been an ND three times in El Paso, (twice at the Univsiion station and once at the NBC affiliate). He replaces KIMBERLY WYATT who was promoted to be ND for Sinclair’s WEAR-TV in Pensacola/Mobile. She spent 7 1/2 years as ND there.

KCBD-TV, Lubbock, TX…ERIK BREON returns to Texas as the next news director for this Raycom Media owned NBC affiliate. He’s spent the last two years as the morning EP for KNXV-TV in Phoenix. Erik previously spent almost 13 years at KING-TV in Seattle as EP of the 10:00 and 11:00 newscasts. His first management position came at Texas Cable News, where he worked with STEVE ACKERMANN, now Raycom’s VP/News. Erik also worked in Spokane as a producer. He replaces BENJI SNEAD who left after more than 12 years as ND for a job with a local bank. Want to know more? Here’s the news release.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL:

WIAT-TV (CBS) in Birmingham, Alabama (market #43)is searching for an experienced Executive Producer.

It’s a brand new look at WIAT 42 News in Birmingham! This is an excellent opportunity to join a team that is expanding and growing. We are devoted to bring in the best staff to grow our newly outfitted station!

Candidate must define a strategic direction for content coverage, manage newsroom, contribute to the editorial process and make solid decisions in breaking news situations. The Executive Producer should execute strategies that grow audiences across all media devices.

To apply, go to: http://wiat.com/wiat-42-careers/ or email rob.martin@wiat.com

News Director, Blind Box Ad:

We are seeking a News Director for a Metropolitan area.

This local media company is experiencing an exciting time in its newsroom and has an opening for a dynamic, creative and experienced News Director.

The News Director will define a clear mission, purpose and vision for our three hyperlocal channels. The ideal candidate will be adept at leading the areas of news content, budget, production analysis management and newsroom culture.

Key responsibilities include recruit, develop and retain talent, create overall journalistic strategy and policy for daily news broadcasts, manage staff effectively in a deadline-oriented environment while interacting in a positive, proactive and productive manner. Key competencies include a PASSION for News and a proven track record in producing winning newscast while leading a team of talent that will develop into successful professional.

Please send your resume, cover letter and compensation history to tvjobs640@gmail.com

Morning Executive Producer, KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ:

KNXV/ABC15 in Phoenix is seeking a creative and dynamic Executive Producer to lead our morning news strategy. The right candidate is a proven leader who understands how to present fresh and urgent content and has an unyielding will to win every story.

As the Executive Producer, you will manage content and showcasing across multiple platforms. All candidates must have experience as a morning show producer and at least three years in a leadership role. Candidates must also have digital expertise and a cross-platform mindset.

If you are passionately curious, have a track-record of great news judgment and want to supervise a great team in one of the most liveable cities in America we want to hear from you.

To apply for this position, please visit us here at the External Career Center and search for requisition #10007.

KNXV ABC 15 IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 12/27/14)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/27/14)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 1/11/15)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (listed 12/21/14)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (2 positions, Dayside & Weekend, listed 1/18/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 1/3/15)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/7/15, see ad above!)
WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL, (listed 2/1/15)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (Morning EP, listed 1/26/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 1/18/15)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Morning EP, relisted 2/1/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 1/11/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted this week, see ad above!)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Morning EP, listing revised 1/3/15)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 2/1/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 1/11/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 1/11/15)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 1/18/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 1/18/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 12/27/14)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 1/11/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 1/11/15)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (new listing this week)

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Bush

Former ND DEBBIE BUSH is on her way to her third General Manager’s job. She’ll start in March as the GM for Raycom’s WXIX-TV in Cincinnati. Debbie’s currently GM for the company’s KOLD-TV in Tucson, and earlier ran another Raycom station, WFIE-TV in Evansville. She’s a former news director in Kansas City, Indianapolis, Topeka, and Santa Barbara and has also worked in Pittsburgh, Cedar Rapids, and Wichita. More details in this email from Raycom Group VP JEFF ROSSER. She replaces BILL LANESEY who is leaving at the end of February.

Jobe

Longtime news director KEN JOBE has a new job. He’s been named press secretary for the Tennessee House Democratic caucus in Nashville. Ken most recently was ND for WHBQ-TV in Memphis. He’d earlier been the ND for WMC-TV there, as well as an ND in Detroit and Cincinnati. He’s also worked in New York and Nashville, as well as an EP for another Cincinnati station. More on his new job in this story.

At WJLA-TV in Washington, News Operations Manager ERNIE ENSIGN is being bumped up to Chief Engineer. He’s worked for this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate for more than seven years, beginning as Director of New Media and Operations.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, February 15, 2015.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KABC-TV 500 Circle Seven Drive Glendale CA 91201
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KNXV-TV 515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th St. Cleveland OH 44114
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Boulevard Portland OR 97232
KENS-TV 5400 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio TX 78229
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
WOOD-TV 120 College SE Grand Rapids MI 49503
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans 70116
WGHP-TV 2005 Francis St. High Point NC 27263
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WJCL/WGTS 1375 Chatham Parkway Third Floor Savannah, GA 31405
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KFDM-TV 2955 Interstate 10 East Beaumont TX 77702
KWES-TV 11320 West County Road 127, Midland TX 79711
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station