September 22, 2014

Ack!

We’re late this week.

Really late.

Like sometime Monday late.

Apologies but we’ll have a busy and accurate report when we can get it to you on Monday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Just ONE newly named ND in this week’s report, while there are, to my knowledge, NO new openings. That shrinks our list of open ND jobs to 27.

THREE of those openings are featured in paid help wanted ads below, including a new ad for an ND job at a legacy station in New York City.

We have obituaries for a tabloid news pioneer and the father of a former ND turned consulting firm executive. There are new Assistant NDs in Dallas, Phoenix, and New Orleans. And The Washington Post takes a look at what it says is a new approach to the news at a local station in the nation’s capital.

All that and more is below.

New News Director Openings:

Just a week after we had SIX new openings, this week I’m not aware of any. So, as always, please let me know if you’re aware of any via email: rick@rickgevers.com

While it’s not a new opening, I would like to point out the new ad for an ND job at WPIX-TV in New York. That’s below.

Newly Named News Director:

Hudspeth

KAVU-TV, Victoria, TX…congratulations to AMIE HUDSPETH who takes her first ND job at this Saga Communications owned ABC affiliate. It’s a return to her native Texas for Amie, who grew up in Austin. She most recently has been the Assistant News Director for WNCT-TV in Greenville, NC. Amie’s also worked in San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. At KAVU, she replaces JENNIFER DODD who left the station last month to return to San Antonio.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Director of News, WPIX-TV, New York, NY:

Founded in 1948, WPIX-TV (PIX11) is Tribune Broadcasting’s New York flagship station. In 2006, PIX11 became the #1 affiliate of the CW Television Network.

Long regarded as a groundbreaking station in New York, PIX11’s successful primetime programming, award winning news, extensive library of hit movies, first-run programs, off-network sitcom favorites, quality children’s programming and public affairs shows, as well as outstanding event coverage, have contributed to the station’s success.

PIX11 has earned over 265 Emmy® Awards including multiple Awards for Outstanding Morning News Program and for Outstanding Newscast. The station has been honored with numerous other prestigious awards for excellence in reporting, news coverage, public affairs, specials and features.

Come join us as our Director of News – where you will have full responsibility for management of the News Department, developing and executing strategies designed to make the station’s news product the audience leader in the market.  You will lead and plan strategic project management initiatives, marketing and promotions, Digital including technology trends in the market including a social media strategy and brand management.

You can apply online by clicking here.

Or contact our Director of Executive Recruiting, Jennifer Nichols, via email at jenichols@tribunemedia.com

News Director, WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a dynamic and forward thinking News Director to lead our local news operation at NewsChannel 9 WSYR-TV, the ABC affiliate in Syracuse, NY.

Serious candidates must have a proven track record of success of developing and coaching talent, consistent execution of fiercely competitive product, strategic thinking and planning, high ethical standards and effective newsroom management. Must have the ability to effectively deliver product on multi-media platform and make it relevant to the next generation of news viewers. This is a unique opportunity to take an award winning product to the next level.

To be considered, you must have a minimum of 5 years experience as a news manager and more than 10 years experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.

You need to apply online by clicking here.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

News Director, WMBD/WYZZ=TV, Peoria, IL:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a forward thinking and aggressive journalist for the position of News Director at WMBD/WYZZ-TV, the CBS/FOX affiliates, in Peoria-Bloomington, IL.

Located in central Illinois, Peoria is midway between Chicago and St. Louis. Through leading local medical institutions, companies like Archer Daniels Midland, Bradley University in Peoria and Illinois State University in Bloomington, significant education, science and arts advancements have been made through various community alliances in Peoria. Hosting a large manufacturing and agriculture community that is home to the international headquarters for Caterpillar and State Farm Insurance, Peoria and Bloomington are dynamic Midwestern communities known for their values, popular lifestyle, and ease of travel to major metropolitan areas and wonderful communities in which to work and live.

The successful candidate will be a hands on news manager who has a proven track record for coaching and developing talent, solid journalism skills, own the big news story and weather philosophy, and a passion for breaking news. Our coverage of Central Illinois is a priority, so a vision for unique coverage, storytelling and programming is a must.

To be considered, you must have a minimum of 5 years experience as a news manager and more than 10 years experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.

Apply online by clicking here.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/27/14)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/23/14)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 9/14/14)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 8/3/14)
WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL (relisted 9/14/14)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (lsited 8/31/14)
WWSI-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 8/31/14) *
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 8/23/14)
WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL (AM EP, new listing this week)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/23/14)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/31/14)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 8/31/14)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 8/31/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, post revised 9/14/14)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 8/23/14)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 8/31/14)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 8/3/14)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 8/31/14)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (Nightside EP, listed 7/20/14)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 9/7/14)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 7/27/14)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 8/31/14)
KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AK (relisted 7/13/14)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (listed 8/31/14)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (listed 9/7/14)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 8/3/14)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/17/14)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (listed 8/31/14)

* Spanish language station

Obituaries:

IAN RAE, who was the founding EP of the TV program “A Current Affair”, and was a longtime News Corp. employee, died at the age of 78. He was also a senior producer for the Fox News Channel. The New York Post has more in this story.

ROBERT LUIS TONEY, father of former news director and long time SmithGeiger executive MARK TONEY, died earlier this month at the age of 90. In addition to Mark, he’s survived by two daughters. The complete obituary is here. Your expression of sympathy can be sent to Mark at: mark@smithgeiger.com

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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.

This week, meet MARK SILBERSTEIN:

Silberstein

A seasoned senior TV news editorial manager is looking for his next opportunity. After 5 years, as an Assistant News Director, I’m ready for a new challenge.

I have medium and major market broadcast experience, including managing newsrooms in Lansing, MI, Wichita, KS, Providence, RI, Shreveport, LA, Boston, MA and Cleveland, OH. Some were ratings leaders, others needed a strong leader to help make them more aggressive and competitive and that’s the foundation of my positive track record.

I am an Emmy-nominated and AP/UPI award winning journalist/producer. I’m looking for a position as either Managing Editor or Assistant News Director in market 60 or higher (but no reasonable offer or inquiry will ever be ignored!).

Available now. I have a very long list of references willing and ready to help convince you I could be a huge asset to your news operations. Here’s my Linkedin page.

Thanks!

Mark Silberstein
(401) 263-6820 or via email: silberjo19@aol.com

Names in the News…and other things:

GEORGE RODRIGUE, a one-time head of a combined print/broadcast Washington bureau for Belo, has joined former Belo station WFAA-TV in Dallas as Assistant ND. He’s been the Managing Editor for the Dallas Morning News.

JAMIE IOOS has been promoted to Assistant ND for KNXV-TV in Phoenix, She’s been an EP there, and is a former ND in Las Vegas and Albuquerque.

Myrie

DONOVAN MYRIE joins Gannett’s WWL-TV in New Orleans as Assistant ND. He most recently has been teaching journalism at the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg. Donovan oversaw WFTS-TV‘s (Tampa-ABC) coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa. His background is long and diverse. You can check it out by taking a look at his Linkedin page.

Browne

HEATHER BROWNE returns to Oklahoma City as the Executive Producer for KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City. She’s been working as a producer for WFAA-TV in Dallas, but earlier spent eleven years at KOKI-TV in Tulsa, first as the Executive Producer and then as Assistant ND. She’s also produced in Atlanta, and worked for two other Tulsa stations, as well as in Columbia, MO.

The Washington Post says there’s a ‘new approach’ to the news at WJLA-TV in Washington, the ABC station there that was recently purchased by Sinclair.

GM Notes:

Veteran General Manager NICK NICHOLSON joins Scripps as GM of the company’s Tampa ABC affiliate, WFTS-TV. He most recently was GM of KTVK-TV in Phoenix before that station was sold to Meredith. He’s a former GM in Norfolk and Tucson, and has worked in Dallas, Orlando, and Tulsa.

KARI JACOBS has been promoted to GM of WVEC-TV in Norfolk. She had been Director of Sales for that Gannett station.

BOBBY BERRY has been named COO of the Morris Network television group, replacing DEAN HINSON, who is retiring. Berry has been GM of Morris’ WCBI-TV in Columbus, MS, where he’ll be replaced by Derek Rogers, who has been the GM of another Morris station, WMGT-TV in Macon, GA.

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, September 21, 2014.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017 (see ad above!)
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
WFDC-TV 101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 *
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington VA 22209
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place Atlanta GA 30324
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28217
WJZY/WMYT-TV 3501 Performance Rd. Charlotte NC 28214
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway KS 66205
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WBMA/WCFT/WJSU-TV 800 Concourse Parkway, # 200, Birmingham, AL 35244
WTLV/WJXX-TV, 1070 E. Adams St. Jacksonville FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo NY 14207
WEAR-TV 4990 Mobile Highway Pensacola FL 32506
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057 (see ad above!)
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
KVRR-TV 4015 9th Ave S Fargo ND 58103
WMBD/WYZZ-TV 3131 N. University Peoria, IL 61604 (see ad above!)
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette LA 70506
WLTZ 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WICU/WSEE 3514 State St. Erie PA 16508
KTAB/KRBC-TV 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX 79605
KLDO/KXOF-TV 226 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78040
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

September 15, 2014

Greetings:

A very busy week.  SIX news director departures doing the week, with THREE open jobs being filled.

Our list of open ND jobs balloons to 28.

We have paid help wanted ads for TWO of those openings, along with an ad for a job in sunny Orlando.

In Names in the News, a new EP in Chicago, a former ND leaves the business to teach yoga, and a one-time ND takes an Assistant ND job in the market where her career started. And check out a picture from a RTDNA dinner where a lot of past leaders of the organization gathered.

All that and the rest of this week’s news is below.

New News Director Openings:

Culver

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC…DOUG CULVER left this newly-acquired-by-Sinclair-ABC affiliate on Sunday after a little more than two years as ND. I’m told that Managing Editor DAN PATRICK left the station as well. (GM BILL LORD, a former ND, left the station after Sinclair took over.) Doug’s been an ND in Tampa, and a news manager in Seattle and Los Angeles, where he also worked with Bill Lord.

Beck

KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ…CAMERYN BECK is joining Scripps as a Senior Director of News Strategy, one of two such positions as Scripps. She’ll report to VP/News SEAN McLAUGHLIN. (Here’s the company’s news release.) Cameryn’s been ND here for about 18 months, spent eight years at KOVR-TV in Sacramento (five as ND) and also worked for ten years at KCRA-TV in Sacramento. As you know, KTVK has recently been purchased by Meredith, which also owns KPHO-TV in Phoenix, and no decision has been made on how or whether to replace Cameryn.

Roth

WJZY/WMYT-TV, Charlotte, NC…we told you earlier this week that GEOFF ROTH was returning to Houston as Managing Editor at KRIV-TV. Geoff was working at KRIV when FOX (which owns both stations) dispatched him to Charlotte last summer to begin the news operation at WJZY-TV. His family remained in Houston. Geoff’s been an ND for KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City (when FOX owned that station). He’s also been an ND in San Diego, Ft. Myers, for two stations in Fresno, and spent a year teaching at Hofstra. He’s also worked for CNN, and in Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Denver, Miami, Jacksonville, FL, and Richmond.

KCTV, Kansas City, MO…in another move we shared with you via an UPDATE earlier this week, LARRY PERRET is headed from one Meredith station to another, WGCL-TV in Atlanta. More on that below.

Cartwright

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY…this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate is losing News Director ROB CARTWRIGHT to a new opportunity. Rob tells me he and his family are headed to Texas to be closer to family, and promises more details soon, so stay tuned. Rob’s previously worked as an Assistant ND in Dallas (KDAF-TV), an EP at WJLA-TV in Washington, and as a producer in Dallas and San Antonio. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.

WLTZ-TV, Columbus, GA…this SagamoreHill owned NBC affiliate is looking for a new news director.

And while we first reported the vacancy last week, I wanted to call your attention to the paid help wanted ad below for the opportunity at WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL.

Newly Named News Directors:

Plotnik

New England Cable News, Boston, MA…KENNY PLOTNIK returns to a newsroom as VP of this Comcast/NBC owned cable news operation. Kenny’s spent 25 years at WABC-TV, the ABC o-and-o, ending a ten year run as ND in 2012. He’d also been the Assistant ND and Managing Editor there. Kenny’s also worked at another ABC o-and-o, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and in Buffalo. At NECN, he replaces NANETTE HOBSON who left in early May after 2+ years as ND.

Perret

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA…LARRY PERRET has been named News Director for this Meredith owned CBS affiliate. He joins the station from another Meredith owned CBS affiliate, KCTV where he’d been ND for less than a year. Interestingly, GM TREY FABACHER left the station the same day as Larry’s hire was announced. Larry’s background is long and varied: his Linkedin page has the full story. He replaces LANE MICHAELSEN who left the station earlier this summer and is now working as a regional news executive for Sinclair.

Ryan

WKTV, Utica, NY…JEREMY RYAN is the new ND for this NBC affiliate owned by Heartland Media. He’s been the ‘news resource manager’ for WSYM/WTVH-TV in Syracuse, where he’s worked since 2007. This item on the station’s website points out that Jeremy worked as a director at WKTV before. He replaces STEVE McMURRAY who’s been both GM and ND (and anchor of the 6:00 news) since he was promoted to GM last March.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a dynamic and forward thinking News Director to lead our local news operation at NewsChannel 9 WSYR-TV, the ABC affiliate in Syracuse, NY.

Serious candidates must have a proven track record of success of developing and coaching talent, consistent execution of fiercely competitive product, strategic thinking and planning, high ethical standards and effective newsroom management. Must have the ability to effectively deliver product on multi-media platform and make it relevant to the next generation of news viewers. This is a unique opportunity to take an award winning product to the next level.

To be considered, you must have a minimum of 5 years experience as a news manager and more than 10 years experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.

You need to apply online by clicking here.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

News Director, WMBD/WYZZ=TV, Peoria, IL:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a forward thinking and aggressive journalist for the position of News Director at WMBD/WYZZ-TV, the CBS/FOX affiliates, in Peoria-Bloomington, IL.

Located in central Illinois, Peoria is midway between Chicago and St. Louis. Through leading local medical institutions, companies like Archer Daniels Midland, Bradley University in Peoria and Illinois State University in Bloomington, significant education, science and arts advancements have been made through various community alliances in Peoria. Hosting a large manufacturing and agriculture community that is home to the international headquarters for Caterpillar and State Farm Insurance, Peoria and Bloomington are dynamic Midwestern communities known for their values, popular lifestyle, and ease of travel to major metropolitan areas and wonderful communities in which to work and live.

The successful candidate will be a hands on news manager who has a proven track record for coaching and developing talent, solid journalism skills, own the big news story and weather philosophy, and a passion for breaking news. Our coverage of Central Illinois is a priority, so a vision for unique coverage, storytelling and programming is a must.

To be considered, you must have a minimum of 5 years experience as a news manager and more than 10 years experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.

Apply online by clicking here.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Assignment Manager, Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL:

You have probably visited Orlando, how about working here full-time?

News 13 is looking for a new Assignment Manager.

We’re a 24-hour local news channel serving Central Florida.

We’re owned by Bright House Networks, the dominant cable company in the area.

We’re an hour from the ocean and 90 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico.

You’ll supervise a team of 5 assignment and planning editors. You’ll work with the news staff on building great content to share on our TV channel, as well as our web and mobile screens. Breaking news is a big deal for us, but so is coverage of key stories across the nine counties we call home.

For more specifics on duties and to apply, you have to click here.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/27/14)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/23/14)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (new listing this week)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 8/3/14)
KRCR/KCVU-TV, Redding, CA (listed 7/6/14)
WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (lsited 8/31/14)
WWSI-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 8/31/14) *
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 8/23/14)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/23/14)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/31/14)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 8/31/14)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 8/31/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, post revised this week)
KOKH-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (PM EP, listed 8/3/14)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 8/23/14)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 8/31/14)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 8/3/14)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 8/31/14)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (Nightside EP, listed 7/20/14)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 9/7/14)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (PM EP, listed 7/13/14)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 7/27/14)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 8/31/14)
KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AK (relisted 7/13/14)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (listed 8/31/14)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (listed 9/7/14, see ad above!)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 7/13/14)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (listed 8/31/14)
WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 7/20/14)

* Spanish language station

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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:

JENNIFER VANDER SANDEN has been promoted to Executive Producer at FOX o-and-o WFLD-TV in Chicago. She’s been the Morning Senior Producer there and has worked at two other Chicago news operations, as well as in Rockford, IL.

Petterson

ROBERTA PETTERSON, one time Nashville ND and current Assistant ND at WSMV-TV, is heading out on her own. She tells me she’s going to pursue her dream of teaching yoga. Roberta spent more than 2 1/2 years as ND of WZTV in Nashville, and has also worked in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Tulsa.

McManus-Faye

KATIE McMANUS-FAYE is headed back to Savannah as Assistant ND for WTOC-TV, the Raycom owned station. She began her career as an anchor/reporter at WSAV-TV there. She most recently was an ND in Springfield/Champaign, IL, has also been an ND in Jackson, TN, and Sarasota, and has worked in Nashville, Miami (two stations), Tampa, and Dallas.

GM Notes:

For the record, as we reported above in our report on the new News Director at Meredith’s WGCL-TV in Atlanta, GM TREY FAYBACHER left the station this week.

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, September 14, 2014.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
WFDC-TV 101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 *
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington VA 22209
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place Atlanta GA 30324
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28217
WJZY/WMYT-TV 3501 Performance Rd. Charlotte NC 28214
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway KS 66205
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WBMA/WCFT/WJSU-TV 800 Concourse Parkway, # 200, Birmingham, AL 35244
WTLV/WJXX-TV, 1070 E. Adams St. Jacksonville FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo NY 14207
WEAR-TV 4990 Mobile Highway Pensacola FL 32506
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057 (see ad above!)
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
KVRR-TV 4015 9th Ave S Fargo ND 58103
WMBD/WYZZ-TV 3131 N. University Peoria, IL 61604 (see ad above!)
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette LA 70506
WLTZ 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WICU/WSEE 3514 State St. Erie PA 16508
KTAB/KRBC-TV 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX 79605
KLDO/KXOF-TV 226 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78040
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849
KAVU-TV 3808 N. Navarro Victoria, TX 77901

* Spanish language station

September 8, 2014

Thursday, September 11, 2014 UPDATE #2:

Perret

Veteran newsman LARRY PERRET is on the move.

It was announced this morning that he’s headed to Meredith’s WGCL-TV in Atlanta as that station’s next News Director. He’s been the ND for Meredith sister-station KCTV in Kansas City since last October.

Larry’s background is extensive, and includes time as a news director for two stations in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. He has worked for five stations in Los Angeles, as well as in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Greensboro, NC, and Colorado Springs. He also worked as a consultant for Magid.

His Linkedin page has the full story.

In Atlanta, he replaces LANE MICHAELSEN who left this CBS affiliate in July and is now a Group News Director for Sinclair Broadcasting.

As always, we’ll have a full report later this week.

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

Thursday, September 11, 2014 UPDATE:

We have TWO major market news director departures to share with you.

Beck

In Phoenix, KTVK-TV News Director CAMERYN BECK is leaving to become a Senior Director of News Strategy for Scripps. She’s been ND at KTVK for about 18 months, and spent five years before that as ND for CBS’s KOVR-TV in Sacramento. She also worked for KCRA-TV in Sacramento.

Roth

In Charlotte, GEOFF ROTH, ND for FOX’s WJZY/WMYT-TV, is returning to his old station in Houston, KRIV-TV, as Managing Editor. Geoff started the news operation in Charlotte when FOX bought the station. He tells me has family remained in Houston. Geoff’s a former ND in Salt Lake City, San Diego, Ft. Myers, for two stations in Fresno, and spent a year or so on the faculty at Hofstra. He’s also worked for CNN, and in Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, Denver, Miami, Jacksonville, FL, and Richmond.

More on these changes in our full report later this week.

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

Greetings:

TWO newly named News Directors top this week’s report, with just ONE new opening.

Our list of open ND jobs stands at 26.

We have SIX ads for a variety of positions around the country.  And there are THREE  obituaries for a former big market GM, St. Louis news manager turned radio newsman, and for the father of a longtime Iowa ND and past RTDNA chair.

And in Names in the News, TWO new large market EPs.

Finally, I enjoyed seeing old friends and making news ones at this year’s just-concluded RTDNA convention in Nashville.  And I was sorry to miss a few who were there.

Executive Director MIKE CAVENDER told me attendance was comparable to two years ago, but less than last year’s Anaheim convention which also included NAHJ.  That group is set to join RTDNA and SPJ at next year’s gathering in Orlando.

KATHY WALKER, news director for Denver’s KOA-AM, was choses as chair-elect of RTDNA at the convention.  Here’s a complete list of election results (note how many top officers are from radio or other non-TV backgrounds.)

Friday night at the convention, a number of people who’d been involved with (then) RTNDA in the 80’s and 90’s gathered for dinner at a nearby establishment.  Those of our, uh, more senior readers will see some familiar faces.

RTNDA dinner (photo courtesy Lucy Himstedt)

The rest of this week’s news is below.

New News Director Openings:

WMBD/WYZZ-TV, Peoria, IL…after 6 1/2 years here, RICK MOLL is leaving to become ND for WSLS-TV in Roanoke, VA.  Nexstar owns WMBD, a CBS affiliate, and operates WYZZ, a FOX station, for another owner.  More on that and Rick’s background below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Granato

KTRK-TV, Houston, TX…we told you earlier this week that WENDY GRANATO had been promoted to ND for this ABC o-and-o. A 12 year veteran of KTRK, she most recently worked as EP of Special Projects. GM HENRY FLORSHEIM sent this note to the staff. Wendy started on air in Lafayette, LA, and then moved to Houston to work for KNWS-TV, a now defunct 24 hour news channel. She later became ND there. She replaces DAVE STRICKLAND who resigned in late July after 14 years as ND, saying he wanted to spend more time with family. As we noted in our UPDATE on Tuesday, Wendy becomes the third consecutive Houston ND to be promoted from within the station.

Moll

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA…we told you above that RICK MOLL was leaving Peoria to become the next ND for this Media General owned NBC affiliate. Rick spent 6 1/2 years in Peoria, was an ND in Columbus, GA, Ft. Wayne, IN, and Wausaw, WI, before that. He began his career as a sports anchor/reporter, working in McAllen, TX. Rick later switched to news and worked in Madison, WI, Cincinnati, and Nashville. At WSLS, he replaces MELISSA (PREAS) STACY who left in July to become the Assistant ND for sister-Media-General station WFLA-TV in Tampa.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assignment Manager, Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL:

You have probably visited Orlando, how about working here full-time?

News 13 is looking for a new Assignment Manager.

We’re a 24-hour local news channel serving Central Florida.

We’re owned by Bright House Networks, the dominant cable company in the area.

We’re an hour from the ocean and 90 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico.

You’ll supervise a team of 5 assignment and planning editors. You’ll work with the news staff on building great content to share on our TV channel, as well as our web and mobile screens. Breaking news is a big deal for us, but so is coverage of key stories across the nine counties we call home.

For more specifics on duties and to apply, you have to click here.

News Operations Manager, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

WCAU the NBC O&O in Philadelphia is looking for the News Operations Manager of the future.

A technical guru with eyes piercing into tomorrow to gain a competitive advantage today. We need a critical and creative thinker to join the NBC10 team designing and constructing the most technologically advanced newsroom ever built. This is a triple-threat position working in news, production and engineering.

Duties will include but are not limited to: special events logistical planning, lead on digital gathering and production, oversee news bureaus, photography supervision, capital budget, disaster recovery, master newsroom computer system and SkyForce10.

Try your luck by applying here:

Assignment Content Manager, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

The time is now for the nerve center of the newsroom to evolve.

WCAU-TV in Philadelphia is ready to acquire, trade or draft the next generation of Assignment Managers. The content manager works with assignment editors, web editors, and producers. You’ll make sure we are covering the stories that our mission demands, and more importantly, not wasting time covering stories that don’t meet our expectation level.

You’ll work with producers to build our coverage on TV and take the lead to ensure content synergy between TV, nbc10.com and social media. You will take a lead on breaking news; getting the chopper launched, getting crews to the scene, and figuring out which technology will be needed to cover the story live. You’ll be looking ahead to plan coverage for major events.

This is an exciting position that doesn’t exist now, so we need a self-starter with a vision to make it their own.

Apply here!

WCAU, NBC10 is the fastest growing news operation in Philadelphia with an expectation level to reach the top.

Only apply if you have a pioneering spirit, excels under pressure, are motivated by competition and are crazy about local news.

Morning Executive Producer, KATU-TV, Portland, OR:

KATU seeks a dynamic newsroom leader to help create and execute the most innovative newscast in the Portland, Oregon market.

The ideal candidate has a passion for morning news, an award-winning background in local television news production, and a vision for how to showcase the morning team in new, exciting ways every day. Oh yeah, and the ideal candidate is a social media rock star who really knows how to incorporate digital content into our daily coverage.

Duties include providing input and constructive oversight for newscast producers on story selection and presentation, reviewing reporter scripts for creativity and accuracy, and coaching the team on strategic initiatives including programming to the target audience, managing meters, weather storytelling and creating more organic anchor “moments.”

Candidates must also demonstrate strong news judgment and the ability to coordinating an aggressive response to breaking news and weather.

News Director Tiffani Lupenski will make the hire. But to get her attention, you first need to apply online by clicking here!

Dir. of Digital Communications and Marketing, Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO:

One of the nation’s largest and most cutting-edge public media companies is seeking a digital native to lead its evolving Digital Communications and Marketing team. Based in Denver, where urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting serves the Rocky Mountain region as a PBS and NPR affiliate with an expanding portfolio of digital assets, including applications, multiple websites, a robust social media presence, myriad brands such as Rocky Mountain PBS I-News, KUVO Jazz Radio and more.

We are seeking an experienced leader to execute a multi-platform vision based on fully leveraging all aspects of the organization’s brand. In addition to leading a team of innovative, cutting-edge content creators, this person will be responsible for strategically leading the daily operation of Rocky Mountain PBS’ marketing and branding efforts.

This is your chance to break into the unparalleled Denver media market and make a real difference for the entire Colorado community. If you’re an entrepreneur at heart, enjoy dreaming up new approaches to audience engagement, and the ability to measure and report progress, this may be your next career step.

Visit this website to learn more and apply!

Executive Producer, WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC:

WCTI-TV and FOX Eastern Carolina are looking for an Executive Producer to help manage a dynamic newsroom on the picturesque North Carolina coast (Greenville, New Bern and Jacksonville). This is a great opportunity to earn your management stripes while working just 30 minutes from the Crystal Coast’s beautiful beaches and hours from the Outer Banks.

You will work closely with the News Director and Assistant News Director in running all aspects of the News Department. Duties include: the day to day supervision of all news staff, training and coaching our producing staff and managing the content of our daily newscasts.

Our EP is instrumental in helping to build and execute our annual strategic plan across our broadcast, online and mobile platforms. Our key images are “Alerting You to Severe Weather Danger” and “Getting the Facts Right.” During breaking news and severe weather, the EP takes over producing responsibilities in the control room.

The right person will be an energetic leader with good motivational skills. Qualified candidates must be savvy with web posting and social media. Preference will be given to candidates who have at least three years of producing experience.

Send resume via email to: snichols@wcti12.com

or via mail to:

Scott Nichols

News Director

WCTI-TV and Fox Eastern Carolina

225 Glenburnie Drive

New Bern, NC 28560

Bonten Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/27/14)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/23/14)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 8/3/14)
KRCR/KCVU-TV, Redding, CA (listed 7/6/14)
WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL (relisted 7/13/14)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (AM EP, relisted 8/3/14)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (lsited 8/31/14)
WWSI-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 8/31/14) *
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 8/23/14)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/23/14)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/31/14)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 8/31/14, see ad above!)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 8/31/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (2 positions, EP & Spec. Projects, listed 7/13/14)
KOKH-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (PM EP, listed 8/3/14)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 8/23/14)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 8/31/14)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 8/3/14)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 8/31/14)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (Nightside EP, listed 7/20/14)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (new listing this week)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 7/27/14)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 8/31/14, see ad above!)
KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AK (relisted 7/13/14)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 7/6/14)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (listed 8/31/14, see ad above!)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (new listing this week, see ad above!)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 8/3/14)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/17/14)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 7/20/14)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (listed 8/31/14, see ad above!)
WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 7/20/14)

* Spanish language station

Obituaries:

HANK YAGGI, who served as GM for stations in Washington, DC, and Hartford, died August 31 at the age of 71. He suffered from Alzheimer’s. This obituary has more information.

JOHN O’CONNOR, who worked for two St. Louis TV stations and spent 10 years at powerhouse radio station KMOX, died of a heart attack August 29th.

GLEN BUSIEK, father of longtime Des Moines News Director DAVE BUSIEK, died in late August. In addition to Dave, he’s survived by another son and a daughter. More in this obituary. Dave’s been at KCCI since 1979, and served as RTDNA chair from 2001-2003. Your kind note would reach him at: dbusiek@kcci.com

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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:

One time Yakima, WA, (KNDO-TV) News Director BRIAN van KLEEF is moving from one Seattle station to another. He’s leaving KING-TV to become the morning EP for Fox affiliate KCPQ-TV. He’s also worked in Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA, as well as an earlier period at KCPQ.

MediaMoves reports that ROBERTO PONS is leaving Univision network news to become the Executive Producer for WLTV in Miami, the Univision station there. He’s a former ND for WSNS-TV in Chicago.

Longtime KTRK-TV Assistant ND DON KOBOS is retiring. More in this blog post. Don began his career as a reporter, eventually making his way to Houston. He became Assistant ND in 2000. Wish him well via email: don.kobos@abc.com

States

And one-time Akron, OH, (WAKR-TV) news director LARRY STATES is retiring. He’s spent more than 30 years working in Akron media and served as news director when WAKR-TV aired a newscast in the 90’s. ED ESPOSITO, who’s the VP of station owner Rubber City Radio Group, told the staff that: Larry has been and remains one of the truest of professionals and one of the most trusted voices on the dial.

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, September 7, 2014.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 *
New England Cable News, 160 Wells Avenue Newton MA 02459
WFDC-TV 101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 *
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW, Atlanta GA 30318
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place Atlanta GA 30324
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28217
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WBMA/WCFT/WJSU-TV 800 Concourse Parkway, # 200, Birmingham, AL 35244
WTLV/WJXX-TV, 1070 E. Adams St. Jacksonville FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo NY 14207
WEAR-TV 4990 Mobile Highway Pensacola 32506
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
KVRR-TV 4015 9th Ave S Fargo ND 58103
WMBD/WYZZ-TV 3131 N. University Peoria, IL 61604
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette LA 70506
WICU/WSEE 3514 State St. Erie PA 16508
KTAB/KRBC-TV 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX 79605
KLDO/KXOF-TV 226 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78040
WKTV 5936 Smith Hill Road Utica NY 13502
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849
KAVU-TV 3808 N. Navarro Victoria, TX 77901

* Spanish language station

September 1, 2014

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 UPDATE:

Two items in this UPDATE. I’ve just learned that Sinclair Broadcasting is buying KSNV-TV in Las Vegas. That was, I believe, the last remaining TV station held by JIM ROGERS, who passed away last June. I’m sure you’ll see much of this story in other TV trades over the next day or two.

(Wednesday morning UPDATE: Here’s the news release from Sinclair.)

And for the third consecutive opening, a Houston News Director’s job has been filled via a promotion from within the newsroom.

Granato

Today it’s WENDY GRANATO who’s been promoted to head the news department at KTRK-TV, the ABC o-and-o there. She’s held a variety of roles at the station over the past 12 years, most recently as Senior Executive Producer, Special Projects. She began her career in Lafayette, LA, and moved to Houston in 1993 to work for KNWS-TV, a now defunct 24 hour news channel for which she later served as news director.

General Manager HENRY FLORSHEIM, a former ND himself, sent this note to the staff.

As I mentioned, Wendy’s promotion is the third straight to fill a Houston ND opening, following last July’s move by RHONDA LaVELLE to ND at KPRC-TV and the June 2013 ascension of BOB MORFORD to the top job at KRIV-TV.

I’m arriving in Nashville tomorrow for this year’s RTDNA convention, and hope to see many of you there.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

As a public service to you, our loyal followers, this week’s newsletter will provide lots of holiday reading if you have nothing else to do on this Labor Day.

You can read about FIVE new ND openings, three in major markets and all involving veteran NDs. ONE of those openings was created when a Scripps ND left his job to return to his hometown as ND for another Scripps station.

There are now 27 open ND jobs on our list. Remarkably, THREE of those ND openings are in the same zip code!

We have SEVEN paid help wanted ads: as if often the case, they’re in a wide range of job responsibilities and areas of the country.

THREE obituaries are below, including one for a former NBC o-and-o ND and GM.

And we have a handful of Names in the News and a number of interesting General Manager moves.

By the way, if you’re going to be in Nashville for the RTDNA convention this week, I’ll look forward to seeing you there.

Until then, read on for a full newsletter.

New News Director Openings:

Crooke

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA…congratulations to ELLEN CROOKE who’s been promoted. She’s been named VP/News for Gannett, replacing longtime exec ROB MENNIE who’s moving to GM of the company’s duopoly in Jacksonville, FL. (More on that below in our Names in the News section). Ellen’s been ND here since 2008, first joined Gannett as ND of WGRZ-TV in Buffalo in 2002. She’s a former ND in South Bend, and has also worked in Louisville, Rochester, NY, and Albany, NY.

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO…in one of two UPDATES we shared with you earlier this week, we told you that ED KOSOWSKI would leave this Tribune owned FOX/CW duopoly when his contract expired in early September. GM PETER MARONEY explained the move in this note to the staff. Ed’s been here three years, has been an ND in Boston and San Francisco, and worked in Miami and Washington, as well as for CNBC.

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO…we also reported this move in an UPDATE earlier this week. JEFF HARRIS is leaving this Scripps owned ABC affiliate to return to his hometown and another Scripps ABC station, WEWS-TV in Cleveland. More on that below.

Brinkman

WEAR-TV, Pensacola, FL…KYLE BRINKMAN has left this Sinclair-owned ABC affiliate after eight years as news director. His departure comes shortly after a new General Manager arrived at the station. Kyle’s a former ND in Chattanooga who’s also worked in Baltimore, Norfolk, Memphis, Columbus, OH, and Huntsville (twice). The station has had two news directors in 30 years (Kyle succeeded 22 year station veteran PETER NEUMANN.)

Cummings

WICU/WSEE-TV, Erie, PA…another veteran news director is on the move here, as BILL CUMMINGS will leave this duopoly when his contract expires in October. He’s previously been a news director in Yuma, AZ, Tallahassee, FL, Evansville, IN, Johnson City, TN, Tucson, and Huntington/Charleston, WV. He’s also worked in sales for several companies, including weather vendors Baron Services and Weather Central.

Newly Named News Directors:

Harris

WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH…we mentioned above that JEFF HARRIS is headed back to his hometown as ND of this Scripps-owned ABC affiliate. Jeff’s been the ND for Scripps’ KMGH-TV in Denver since October, 2008. The Denver Post offers more on his time there. Jeff worked at WEWS earlier in his career as a producer before leaving for his first stint at KMGH. He left Denver for four years at KPIX-TV in San Francisco before returning to KMGH as News Director. At WEWS, he replace JILL MANUEL who left the station in March after 5+ years as ND

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Operations Manager, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

WCAU the NBC O&O in Philadelphia is looking for the News Operations Manager of the future.

A technical guru with eyes piercing into tomorrow to gain a competitive advantage today. We need a critical and creative thinker to join the NBC10 team designing and constructing the most technologically advanced newsroom ever built. This is a triple-threat position working in news, production and engineering.

Duties will include but are not limited to: special events logistical planning, lead on digital gathering and production, oversee news bureaus, photography supervision, capital budget, disaster recovery, master newsroom computer system and SkyForce10.

Try your luck by applying here:

Assignment Content Manager, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

The time is now for the nerve center of the newsroom to evolve.

WCAU-TV in Philadelphia is ready to acquire, trade or draft the next generation of Assignment Managers. The content manager works with assignment editors, web editors, and producers. You’ll make sure we are covering the stories that our mission demands, and more importantly, not wasting time covering stories that don’t meet our expectation level.

You’ll work with producers to build our coverage on TV and take the lead to ensure content synergy between TV, nbc10.com and social media. You will take a lead on breaking news; getting the chopper launched, getting crews to the scene, and figuring out which technology will be needed to cover the story live. You’ll be looking ahead to plan coverage for major events.

This is an exciting position that doesn’t exist now, so we need a self-starter with a vision to make it their own.

Apply here!

WCAU, NBC10 is the fastest growing news operation in Philadelphia with an expectation level to reach the top.

Only apply if you have a pioneering spirit, excels under pressure, are motivated by competition and are crazy about local news.

Morning Executive Producer, KATU-TV, Portland, OR:

KATU seeks a dynamic newsroom leader to help create and execute the most innovative newscast in the Portland, Oregon market.

The ideal candidate has a passion for morning news, an award-winning background in local television news production, and a vision for how to showcase the morning team in new, exciting ways every day. Oh yeah, and the ideal candidate is a social media rock star who really knows how to incorporate digital content into our daily coverage.

Duties include providing input and constructive oversight for newscast producers on story selection and presentation, reviewing reporter scripts for creativity and accuracy, and coaching the team on strategic initiatives including programming to the target audience, managing meters, weather storytelling and creating more organic anchor “moments.”

Candidates must also demonstrate strong news judgment and the ability to coordinating an aggressive response to breaking news and weather.

News Director Tiffani Lupenski will make the hire. But to get her attention, you first need to apply online by clicking here!

Dir. of Digital Communications and Marketing, Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO:

One of the nation’s largest and most cutting-edge public media companies is seeking a digital native to lead its evolving Digital Communications and Marketing team. Based in Denver, where urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting serves the Rocky Mountain region as a PBS and NPR affiliate with an expanding portfolio of digital assets, including applications, multiple websites, a robust social media presence, myriad brands such as Rocky Mountain PBS I-News, KUVO Jazz Radio and more.

We are seeking an experienced leader to execute a multi-platform vision based on fully leveraging all aspects of the organization’s brand. In addition to leading a team of innovative, cutting-edge content creators, this person will be responsible for strategically leading the daily operation of Rocky Mountain PBS’ marketing and branding efforts.

This is your chance to break into the unparalleled Denver media market and make a real difference for the entire Colorado community. If you’re an entrepreneur at heart, enjoy dreaming up new approaches to audience engagement, and the ability to measure and report progress, this may be your next career step.

Visit this website to learn more and apply!

Executive Producer, WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC:

WCTI-TV and FOX Eastern Carolina are looking for an Executive Producer to help manage a dynamic newsroom on the picturesque North Carolina coast (Greenville, New Bern and Jacksonville). This is a great opportunity to earn your management stripes while working just 30 minutes from the Crystal Coast’s beautiful beaches and hours from the Outer Banks.

You will work closely with the News Director and Assistant News Director in running all aspects of the News Department. Duties include: the day to day supervision of all news staff, training and coaching our producing staff and managing the content of our daily newscasts.

Our EP is instrumental in helping to build and execute our annual strategic plan across our broadcast, online and mobile platforms. Our key images are “Alerting You to Severe Weather Danger” and “Getting the Facts Right.” During breaking news and severe weather, the EP takes over producing responsibilities in the control room.

The right person will be an energetic leader with good motivational skills. Qualified candidates must be savvy with web posting and social media. Preference will be given to candidates who have at least three years of producing experience.

Send resume via email to: snichols@wcti12.com

or via mail to:

Scott Nichols

News Director

WCTI-TV and Fox Eastern Carolina

225 Glenburnie Drive

New Bern, NC 28560

Bonten Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Nightside Executive Producer, KXTV, Sacramento, CA:

News10 (KXTV), a Gannett Company and ABC affiliate in Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto, California seeks an Executive Producer, Nightside. We program more than 30 hours of local news each week and offer an expanding portfolio of websites, hyper-local sites and mobile apps.

News10 is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), an international media and marketing solutions company. Our portfolio of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovate marketing solutions across any platform.

Additionally, we are based in sunny Sacramento. Come join us in the city of trees…and outdoor living. We’re an hour from Lake Tahoe… an hour from Napa… and just down the road from San Francisco. Come find out why people move to this area… and never want to leave.

To learn more and to apply, you must use this link:

Morning Executive Producer, WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT:

WTNH – the ABC affiliate in the Hartford/New Haven, CT market – has an immediate opening for a morning show Executive Producer.

So what are we looking for?

A real morning show specialist and leader. Someone who can guide the coverage on their shift. Make the important calls as to crews, resources and what gets on the air.

An innovator. We need someone has great ideas and who’ll adopt the mantra that today’s shows are going to be different than any shows we’ve aired before.

A motivator. Can you get the people working with you excited about today’s challenge?

A Watchdog for the Brand. We’re the Voice of the People. That means our stories have to have some viewer benefit and they have to be told through the eyes and voices of real people.

We also say “We’ve Got Your Back” a lot: we want to do stories that stand up for the regular guy, ask tough questions and hold people accountable.

Why New Haven? This is a fantastic part of the country, miles from the Long Island Sound and located in easy driving/train riding distance from New York, Boston, Cape Cod, Philadelphia and the JerseyShore.

WTNH has a large newsroom with three satellite newsrooms, multiple sat trucks, live vans and TVUs. Do you want to work for a newsroom that is growing?

To apply, contact News Director Al Carl via email at: al.carl@wtnh.com

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/27/14)

KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted this week)

WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 8/3/14)

KRCR/KCVU-TV, Redding, CA (listed 7/6/14)

WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL (relisted 7/13/14)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (AM EP, relisted 8/3/14)

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (new listing this week)

WWSI-TV, Philadelphia, PA (new listing this week) *

KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 8/23/14)

KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/23/14)

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 8/23/14, see ad above!)

KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted this week, see ad above!)

WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, relisted 8/23/14, see ad above!)

KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 7/20/14)

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted this week)

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (2 positions, EP & Spec. Projects, listed 7/13/14)

KOKH-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (PM EP, listed 8/3/14)

WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 8/23/14)

WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted this week)

WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 8/3/14)

WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (new listing this week)

KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (Nightside EP, listed 7/20/14)

WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (PM EP, listed 7/13/14)

WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 7/27/14)

WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (new listing this week, see ad above!)

KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AK (relisted 7/13/14)

KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 7/6/14)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (new listing this week, see ad above!)

WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 7/13/14)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 8/3/14)

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/17/14)

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 7/20/14)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (new listing this week, see ad above!)

WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 7/20/14)

* Spanish language station

Obituaries:

Ward

I’m sorry to report the death last Wednesday of former ND and GM MIKE WARD. He was 63 and had suffered a massive stroke in 2008, shortly after leaving his job as ND for WUSA-TV in Washington. He’d also been the ND for NBC’s WMAQ-TV in Chicago, went from there to NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia as Creative Services Director, and later served as GM for WNCN-TV in Raleigh when NBC owned that station. Mike started as a photographer in his home town of Sioux Falls, SD, and later worked in Cleveland. He’s survived by his wife MAUREEN and other family members, as detailed in this obituary.

Two obituaries from Cincinnati:

Seventeen year WLWT-TV employee DAVID ROSCH died this week. He most recently had been news operations manager but held a variety of management positions at the station.

KYLE HILL, who once served as Acting News Director for WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, died last Sunday at the age of 80. He was an anchor/reporter at the station who later worked in public relations.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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:

Former KRIV-TV (Houston) Morning Executive Producer MARGARET CORDES has filed suit against the station, claiming she lost her job after she was diagnosed with cancer and had to take time off from work. More in this story.

J.B. OZUNA has been promoted to VP of digital media for Schurz Communications. He was sales and revenue development director. J.B. has worked in Denver and San Antonio.

And I want to clarity our item last week. In reporting NORA ZIMMETT’s move to the Weather Channel, I got her title wrong. She’s Senior VP of Live Programming.  JENNIFER RIBGY is still the VP of Live Programming. Apologies to all involved.

GENERAL MANAGER NEWS:

ROBERT “BUBBA” BURNS has been promoted to VP/General Manager for Sunbeam’s WHDH/WLVI-TV in Boston. He’s been the Director of Sales there.

Vann

LES VANN will be the next GM for LIN Media’s WISH/WNDY-TV in Indianapolis. He’ll have his hands full: as most of you know, WISH will lose its CBS affiliation at the end of the year. Les began his career in news, but has most recently been a GM for LIN’s duopoly in Savannah, GA. He’s also run stations in Cincinnati, Syracuse, Ashville, NC, Cedar Rapids, and Champaign, IL.

STEVE DOERR will replace Les as GM in Savannah at WJCL/WTGS-TV until the previously announced sale of the stations has been finalized.

Mennie

We mentioned above that ROB MENNIE is headed to Jacksonville, FL, as GM for WTLV/WJXX-TV, the Gannett owned duopoly there. He replaces ERIC LAND who left the stations after two years as GM. Rob’s been VP/News for Gannett, is a former ND for stations in Washington and Dayton, worked in Atlanta and Phoenix, and began his career as a photographer in Columbus, OH. He rose to EP at WCMH-TV and later worked at WSYX-TV in Columbus.

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, August 31, 2014.

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017

KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 *

New England Cable News, 160 Wells Avenue Newton MA 02459

WFDC-TV 101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 *

WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW, Atlanta GA 30318

WXIA-TV One Monroe Place Atlanta GA 30324

KTRK-TV 3310 Bissonet St. Houston TX 77005

KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *

KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203

KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203

WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28217

KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758

WBMA/WCFT/WJSU-TV 800 Concourse Parkway, # 200, Birmingham, AL 35244

WTLV/WJXX-TV, 1070 E. Adams St. Jacksonville FL 32202

WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo NY 14207

WEAR-TV 4990 Mobile Highway Pensacola 32506

WSLS-TV P.O. Box 10 Roanoke VA 24022

KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521

WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

KVRR-TV 4015 9th Ave S Fargo ND 58103

KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette LA 70506

WICU/WSEE 3514 State St. Erie PA 16508

KTAB/KRBC-TV 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX 79605

KLDO/KXOF-TV 226 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78040

WKTV 5936 Smith Hill Road Utica NY 13502

WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

KAVU-TV 3808 N. Navarro Victoria, TX 77901

* Spanish language station