Rick’s Weekly Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

July 30, 2023

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

For the second time in two weeks, we’re pleased to tell you about a large market news director who’s headed to a GM job at a network owned station!

Eikel

This time it’s AMBER EIKEL, who returns to Seattle as GM for FOX’s KCPQ-TV. Amber’s been the news director for FOX’s KTVU-TV in Oakland/San Francisco since 2017 and served as the assistant ND before that. Earlier in her career she was an EP for KIRO-TV (CBS) in Seattle. She’s also worked in Las Vegas, Milwaukee, and Palm Springs, where she began her career as a producer for KMIR-TV in Palm Springs, CA. Many more details in this news release. Amber replaces SHEILA OLIVER who moved to Chicago as GM for FOX’s WFLD-TV.

Attentive readers will remember that we told you two weeks ago that KIM VOET, longtime ND for WDIV-TV in Detroit (Graham Media/NBC) was going to Miami as VP/GM for CBS’s WFOR-TV.

Gurley

Amber’s announcement was the second FOX general manager that the company named this week. Earlier, JEFF GURLEY was promoted from sales manager to GM for KDFW-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Jeff’s been at the station since 1997. More details here. Jeff replaced a longtime GM, KATHY SAUNDERS, who announced her retirement in late June and left the building four days later. Kathy was GM at the station since 1997.

I’m in Birmingham at NABJ and hope to see some of you here. (Caution: If you’re staying at the Embassy Suites, the internet in the rooms is AWFUL. AWFUL. I had to go to the lobby to send this UPDATE.)

All the week’s news this weekend in our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

It’s a very full newsletter, with a handful of news director changes and lots of items in Names in the News.

FOUR jobs have been filled, with TWO* new openings, meaning 33 stations are on our list of open ND jobs. THREE of those stations are adverising their jobs among our FOUR paid help wanted ads.

Why the asterisk on there TWO* new openings. Because the person hired will be one of TWO VP/ND’s at this CBS o-and-o.

TWO items in our GM section, although one of them is far above the GM ranks.

TEN items in Names in the News covering a wide range of topics.

Finally, I hope to see many of you at this week’s NABJ conference in Birmingham. The Univeristy of Missouri is holding a reception for friends and alums Friday from 5:30-7:00 at the Uptown Cantina Restaurant near the convention center. Light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. See you there!

Travel safely and read on!

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists.

Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Experts available for Zoom interviews:

Aug. 3: Home heat pumps & indoor air quality (Dr. Theresa Pistochini, UC Davis)
Aug. 9: Wildfire smoke and outdoor air quality (Dr. Joseph Wilkins, Howard U.)
Aug. 24: School start time (Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom, U. Minnesota)
Sept. 5: The science of reading (Dr. Shayne Piasta, Ohio State U.)
Sept. 12: Four-day school weeks (Dr. Paul Thompson, Oregon State U.)
Oct. 10: Chronic wasting disease (Dr. Krysten Schuler, Cornell U.)

Professional training opportunity:

Aug. 8: Science essentials for local reporters, a free SciLine “Crash Course”

New expert videos – available for download/use in stories:

Newly Named News Directors:

Diaz

KXTV, Sacramento, CA…MONIKA DIAZ returns to the corner office as Director of Content for this Tegna owned ABC affiliate, where she once worked as a reporter. Monika worked as the ND for KTXL-TV, the FOX affiliate in Sacramento for just over three years until 2021. Details about her career since then in this news release. She replaces JILL MANUEL who left in June after four years at the station.

Roy

WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY…a promotion at this Nexstar owned CBS station sees JOSH ROY moving to the ND job. He’s been the assistant ND, the latest role in a 20 year run at WIVB where he began as a photojournalist. Details in this memo from GM JOE ABOUZEID. Josh replaces his former boss, BREANNE BETTS who left the station in May after less than a year as ND following a long run as Assistant ND for Nexstar’s WCMH-TV in Columbus, OH.

Reese

KMIR-TV, Palm Springs, CA…DAVID REESE returns as ND at this Entravision owned NBC affiliate (the company’s only NBC station). He was there from 2013-2017. He replaces TRINO MARTINEZ who David hired as a producer and is taking a job out of TV. Two notes: depending on how you count David’s terms, he’s the FIFTH ND in six years here. But he’s the only one that owns an FM station in Palm Springs!

Boone

WXXV, Gulfport, MS…RICK BOONE is the new ND for this Morris owned FOX/NBC operation. He most recently was the ND for WHNT-TV in Huntsville, AL. His complete career history includes (VERY) large market reporting jobs and smaller market management gigs. Rick replaces JOE SULLIVAN. (And thanks to WXXV GM DON MOORE who sent a nice note sharing that Rick found the job by seeing the station’s ad in this newsletter.)

New News Director Openings:

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, CA…this CBS o-o has posted an opening for a Vice-Presdient and News Director who will oversee the station’s eight hours of morning news content spread across two stations. Whoever gets hired will work with MIKE DELLO STRITTO who will continue to oversee the evening newscasts.

Joachim

KTVH-TV, Helena, MT…ERIC JOCHIM is moving to an executive producer position for this Scripps owned NBC affiliate. Eric’s worked here for more than seven years and earlier served as a news director in Pocatello, ID.

And while it’s not a new opening, please check out the ad just below for the open ND job at News Press & Gazette’s KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls, ID.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls, ID:

Live in the closest metropolitan destination to Yellowstone National Park
Lead a team of journalists in the market’s #1 multi-platform newsroom
Work for a family-owned company with terrific employee-focused benefits
Outdoor enthusiasts love the proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, relaxing natural hot springs, and fly fishing on the Snake River

NPG of Idaho, including the legacy stations for the Idaho Falls-Pocatello-Jackson DMA, the dominant news leader in Eastern Idaho/Western Wyoming, has an exciting opportunity to lead our news team as News Director. A year-round tourist destination with world-class recreational activities, including a quality of life few cities can match. News Press & Gazette is a family owned, diversified company committed to its people and successful news organizations.

The News Director will oversee and provide strategic direction to the station’s news operation consisting of broadcast and digital platforms. We are looking for a strong newsroom leader who considers coaching a priority.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary coach, and an effective communicator with a passion for the news business. Degree in Journalism, Broadcasting, Communications, or related field is preferred. A minimum of four years of newsroom or related managerial experience is a must.

We provide a benefit package that includes Health, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, Company-paid Life & AD&D, 401(k) with employer match.

Successful candidates must pass a background check, drug test, and provide proof of vehicle insurance.

Click here to learn more and apply!

NPG of Idaho is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

No Phone calls please.

News Director, WBND-TV, South Bend, IN:

ABC57 News seeks a News Director to lead our newsroom as we innovate and grow. We are committed to storytelling, investigating and viewer advocacy. This award winning newsroom requires a hands-on leader who can grow ratings and grow our content on all platforms. Our managers work as a team in a collaborative environment. We seek a dynamic team leader who is comfortable in a fast-paced environment, who brings excellent judgment, high ethical standards and practices, and who has demonstrated success in driving coverage of breaking news and severe weather. If you want to add to your collection of Emmy and Murrow awards, this is the newsroom to lead.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements:

Candidate needs 7-10 years of professional journalism experience with at least 5 years in a progressive management capacity.
Must be a driven individual able to plan strategically, manage and nurture people, handle hiring, contracts and budgets.
Candidate should be passionate about social media and skilled in using it to complement our broadcast and digital offerings.

Our Perks & Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Package
Long Term Disability Insurance
HSA Plan
401k with Company Match
Vacation/PTO/Sick/Paid Holidays
Paid Qualified-FMLA Leave

Learn more by clicking here.

News Director, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL, home of the award-winning, ratings leading WRAL News team has a rare opportunity for a dynamic, progressive, innovative News Director to lead our newsroom.

We are looking for a news professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for local news. WRAL takes extreme pride in our content and our ratings. Our team is experienced and committed to serving our local audience. We achieve about 2/3 of the news viewership in the market and have the dominant local media digital platforms in the state.

This position is really a CEO of news in one of the best newsrooms in the country, overseeing a staff of more than 150 people and an enterprise team of more than 20 reporters and editors. We have an outstanding reputation throughout the community and have a history of stability in leadership roles. Our current news director has been at the station since 1995 and just announced his plans to retire next spring.

WRAL is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, a city ranked consistently as one of the best places to live in America. WRAL is locally owned and privately held by industry renowned Capitol Broadcasting Company. WRAL and CBC also provide some of the best benefits in the business and a campus and culture of inclusivity and support.

For a full description of the position and job responsibilities and to apply, please click here.

Nightside Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

Would you like to be a leader in a multiplatform news operation with a commitment to excellence and the resources you need to succeed? WRAL is seeking a strong Executive Producer to oversee content, showcasing and innovation in WRAL’s late newscasts. The Nightside Executive Producer will work closely with our digital, graphics, promotion, and news management teams and must own breaking news on all platforms.

We are looking for a decision maker with strong ethics, outstanding communication skills, superb news judgment and the desire to win. If you have a vision for graphics and a passion for fast-paced, creative newscasts, this is the job for you.

Responsibilities:

· Own breaking news on all platforms.
· Mentor and develop producing and reporting staff.
· Lead editorial decision making for nightside coverage.
· Plan and execute “Big Story” coverage.
· Write and approve scripts.
· Review digital copy and topical promotion.
· Enhance weather and sports content.

Qualifications:

· Five years of experience in producing newscasts preferred.
· Two years of news management experience preferred.
· A four-year college degree.

Learn more about this opportunity by clicking here.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 7/9/23)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (listed 7/30/23)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 6/4/23)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (relisted 7/9/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 7/2/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 4/23/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul (listed 7/30/23)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, ND (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 5/21/23)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Nightside EP, listed 7/9/23, see ad above!)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 5/29/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 5/14/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP, listed 6/4/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listed 5/14/23)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WXIX-TV Cincinnati, OH (EP, listed 5/29/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 7/9/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY listed 7/2/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 7/30/23)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 6/11/23)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (Digital EP, listed 5/29/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 7/2/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 7/23/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (listed 5/13/23)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 6/11/23)
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/2/23)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 7/9/23:

WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (Assignment Manager)

Listed 5/7/23:

U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Multimedia News Manager)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Technical News Producer)

Obituary:

Spikes

KATIE SPIKES, a longtime producer for 60 Minutes and other CBS News programs, lost her five year battle with cancer last Tuesday. She was 53. Katie spent more than 30 years at CBS and earlier worked for CNN as a talent producer for Larry King Live in both Washington and Los Angeles. CBS News remembered her here.

Names in the News:

Meek

JAMES GORDON MEEK, a one-time national security producer for ABC News, pled guilty last Friday, July 24, to federal child pornography charges. Details in this detailed story from NBC News.

The News and Documentary EMMY nominations were revealed this week. Eight local stations were given special citations for outstanding reporting. Click here for the complete list.

Hilk

MATTHEW HILK has been promoted to head of domestic news gathering for CNN. He’s a former news director for WSMV-TV (NBC) in Nashville and worked in management for stations in Pittsburgh and Birmingham, produced in Orlando and began his career as a reporter in several markets. Details here.

Molly

KGO-TV, the ABC o-and-o in San Francisco, has hired MOLLY ROBINSON-FERNANDEZ as its executive producer. She’ll start next month and comes from KMSP-TV (FOX) in Minneapolis-St. Paul where she worked for four years. KGO ND TRACEY WATKOWKSI sent this note to her staff.

STEFFANY MEANS UTHE moves from producer to EP at WREG-TV, the Nexstar owned CBS affiliate in Memphis.

KEN WATLINGTON adds Assistant ND to his duties at Nexstar’s WNCT-TV in Greenville, NC, where he also anchors.

DAMIEN RICHARD has been promoted to Assistant ND at Scripps-owed KATC-TV in Lafayette, LA. He’d been the assignment manager there.

Huppert

Longtime Minneapolis (KARE-TV/Tegna/NBC) reporter and storyteller BOYD HUPPERT will be honored at September’s RTDNA conference. Boyd will be presented with the organization’s JOHN F. HOGAN Distinguished Service Award. He’s known for his weekly segment, Land of 10,000 Stories. And Boyd won’t have to travel to far to receive the award. The RTDNA conference is in Minneapolis!

Wieland

TIM WIELAND, the GM (and longtime news director) for CBS’s KCNC-TV in Denver is recovering from heart surgery. He noticed shortness of breath while training for a marathon, went to the doctor, and was surprised when the doctor ordered him to come to the hospital ASAP, and cancel a long-planned trip to Venice. Tim shared his story in Westword in Denver and urges everyone to litsetn to their bodies.

After 18 years of serving the television news industry, Collective Talent is shutting down. The website matched talent with openings. Founder MICHAEL BILLE sent this note explaining why…and explaining how he’ll keep busy going forward.

General Manager News and Notes:

Baird

A change near the top of Nexstar, which has named longtime FOX executive MICHAEL BAIRD President and Chief Operating Officer. At FOX, Michael was President, Operations and Distribution. This news release tells you who he’s replacing at Nexstar, what he did during his 23 years at FOX, and what he’ll oversee at Nexstar.

Cox

A long time general manager (and one time ND) is retiring. PHIL COX spent 17 years as GM for Morris MultiMedia’s WDEF-TV (CBS) in Chattanooga, TN. He joined Morris as GM for WXXV-TV in Gulfport, MS, and later ran WWAY-TV in Wilmington, NC. He’ll be replaced by DAN HOWARD, who’s been the sales manager and will take over October 1. Phil will stay on as a consultant until the end of the year.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 30, 2023:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Av. Studio City, CA 91604 (VP/ND for AM news)
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 **
WDIV-TV 550 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
WCCO-TV 90 S. 11th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606 (see ad above!)
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas, NV 89101
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KFTV 3239 W Ashlan Av. Fresno, CA 93722 **
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WATE-TV 1306 North Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive. Knoxville, TN 37919
WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
WBND-TV 53550 Generations Drive South Bend, IN 46635 (see ad above!)
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, IL 61265
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
KIFI-TV 1915 N. Yellowstone Hwy. Idaho Falls, ID 83401 (see ad above!)
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KIEM-TV 5650 S Broadway St Eureka, CA 95503
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KTVH-TV 100 W Lyndale Ave. Ste A. Helena, MT 59601
KNOP-TV 402 S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station

July 23, 2023

Greetings:

The move of a longtime top 15 market GM to become GM of a top 20 network owned station created the only ND opening this week.

TWO jobs have been filled, leaving 34 stations on our list of open ND jobs. THREE of those stations are among our FOUR paid help wanted ads.

For the first time in our long history, TWO advertisers are promoting their participation at the upcoming TAB convention downtown Austin.

Including the afore mentioned ND to GM job, there are TWO other new GMs to share.

There will NOT be a joint UNITY conference next year, combing NAHJ and NABJ. The reason should not surprise you. That’s among the stories in Names in the News. We’ll also tell you about a news director adding anchor duties to her job, a morning anchor turned news manager exits for a job at Intel, and learn which consultant pledged a big estate gift to his alma mater.

Details on all those stories and more just below.

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists.

Experts available for Zoom interviews:

July 26: Short-staffed nursing homes (Dr. Jasmine Travers, NYU)
Aug. 3: Home heat pumps & indoor air quality (Dr. Theresa Pistochini, UC Davis)
Aug. 9: Wildfire smoke and outdoor air quality (Dr. Joseph Wilkins, Howard U.)
Aug. 24: School start time (Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom, U. Minnesota)
Sept. 5: The science of reading (Dr. Shayne Piasta, Ohio State U.)
Sept. 12: Four-day school weeks (Dr. Paul Thompson, Oregon State U.)
Oct. 10: Chronic wasting disease (Dr. Krysten Schuler, Cornell U.)

Professional training opportunity:

Aug. 8: Science essentials for local reporters, a free SciLine “Crash Course”

New expert videos – available for download/use in stories:

Newly Named News Directors:

Hypes

KMIZ-TV, Columbia, MO…this NP&G owned ABC affiliate hired CHAD HYPES as its next news director. He’d been the ND for Sinclair’s KTVL-TV in Medford, OR, before the station dropped local news. KMIZ GM CURTIS VARNS told the staff. Chad was at KTVL eight years before Sinclair pulled the plug. He replaces SCOTT FLANNIGAN who left in February after 18 months to be ND for Graham Media’s WSLS-TV in Roanoke, VA.

Steve G.

KQDS-TV, Duluth, MN…thanks to a loyal reader who tipped that STEVE GOODSPEED came out of retirement in JUNE 2022 to be ND for this Red River Broadcast owned FOX affiliate. (Missed that one…apologies.) Steve spent 27 years as ND for WDIO-TV in Duluth before being shown the door in July 2019. He replaced DAN CLOUSE who left in May, 2022 to become ND for KIMT-TV in Mason City, IA.

New News Director Openings:

Voet

WDIV-TV, Detroit, MI…our Tuesday UPDATE brought news that KIM VOET was leaving this Graham Media owned NBC affiliate to become President/GM for WFOR-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Miami. Kim’s a 26 year veteran of WDIV, joining as a producer and working her way up the food chain before becoming news director in 2011. She’s also worked at another Detroit station, in St. Louis, Greensboro-High Point (two stations) and in Columbia, MO.

And while it’s not a new opening, please check out the ad just below for the open ND job at Weigel’s WBND-TV in South Bend, IN.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WBND-TV, South Bend, IN:

Duties/Responsibilities:
Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements:

Our Perks & Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Package
Long Term Disability Insurance
HSA Plan
401k with Company Match
Vacation/PTO/Sick/Paid Holidays
Paid Qualified-FMLA Leave

Learn more by clicking here.

News Director, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL, home of the award-winning, ratings leading WRAL News team has a rare opportunity for a dynamic, progressive, innovative News Director to lead our newsroom.

For a full description of the position and job responsibilities and to apply, please click here.

Nightside Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

· Five years of experience in producing newscasts preferred.
· Two years of news management experience preferred.
· A four-year college degree.

Learn more about this opportunity by clicking here.

News Director, WXXV-TV, Gulfport, MS:

WXXV, the Morris Multimedia station in Gulfport, MS, seeks a News Director to lead a team of enthusiastic, young journalists and seasoned professionals. The ideal candidate brings a history of leadership and mentorship. Key responsibilities include recruiting, developing and retaining talent, creating overall LOCAL journalistic strategy and policy for daily newscasts, effectively managing staff and resources while fostering a positive, proactive and productive work environment.

WXXV is a great place to work, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast has truly emerged as a sought-out tourist destination with a flourishing arts and music scene, and attractions that highlight the region’s natural splendor. Add to this sun-soaked beaches, world-class golf courses, exquisite art galleries, fresh-off-the-dock seafood, deep-sea fishing and avid nightlife. The barrier islands and waterways offer both relaxation and adventure. Annual attractions include Cruisin’ the Coast, Mardi Gras, and the Senior PGA Tournament. Home to Ingalls Shipbuilding and Stennis Space Center, South Mississippi has a very viable and diverse workforce. New Orleans is 80 miles to the west. Mobile is 67 miles to the east.

Now, back to the station:

We utilize DMV & criminal background checks as a condition of employment.

Please email resume and references to: hr@wxxv25.com

No phone calls

Employment at WXXV shall be based on merit, qualification, and competence. Employment practice shall not be influenced or affected by virtue of an applicant’s or an employee’s race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, or disability. Females and minorities are encouraged to apply.