April 10, 2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016 UPDATE:
Two Assistant News Directors were promoted to the top job today. It’s the first ND job for both of them.
Green
In Boston, JOHNNY GREEN steps up and becomes news director for Boston’s WBZ-TV, the CBS o-and-o there. He just joined the station last year as Assistant ND. He spent the three previous years as an EP for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, and has also worked in Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Charlotte (two stations), Myrtle Beach, and New Bern, NC. The station issued this news release. The news release does NOT mention that Johnny replaces GARY LaPLANTE who left the station last month after just 20 months as ND.
Hogensen
And NICOLE HOGENSEN gets her first ND job at Scripps’ WPTV in West Palm Beach, FL. She was promoted to Assistant ND there last year, and first joined this NBC affiliate in 2010 as Managing Editor. Nicole has also worked in Richmond, Columbus, OH, Erie, PA and in Cleveland. She replaces DAN WILSON who left in January after less than two years to return to Phoenix as ND for KPHO-TV.
Have a great Friday…we’ll see you later this week with our full report.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 UPDATE:
Licht
A surprise today from CBS, where CBS This Morning Executive Producer CHRIS LICHT has been named Executive Producer of the Late Show with Steven Colbert. He’s been with CBS since 2011, previously worked as EP of Morning Joe on MSNBC, and earlier in his career worked for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles. Here’s the news release from CBS.
RYAN KADRO, who’s been the co-exectuive producer of the morning newscast, will become the sole EP. More on his promotion here.
We’ll have more in our full newsletter later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 UPDATE:
Two items for you today.
Charlotte’s FOX o-and-o, WJZY/WMYT-TV has named its next director.
Luque
It’s TINA LUQUE who most recently served as ND for WTKR-TV in Norfolk. Tina left that position in October after seven years. She’s a former ND for WIS-TV in Columbia, SC and has also worked in Philadelphia, Boston and several other markets. Her full career history is on her Linkedin page. And here’s the news release from the station.
In Charlotte, she replaces KAREN KOUTSKY who left the station in January after one year as ND. Tina becomes the third ND in the station’s three year history of doing news.
**** ***** ****
Collins
We also promised to update you on funeral arrangements for former Chicago and Jackson, MS, news manager CORRICE COLLINS who died Sunday.
Visitation will be this Friday (April 15) from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at Lakeover Funeral Home on Beasley Road in Corrice’s hometown of Jackson. The funeral will be at College Hill Baptist Church on Saturday (April 16) at 11:00 AM.
Corrice also worked in Columbia, MO. Wichita, and Kansas City. He began his career at WLBT-TV in Jackson, which remembered him on its newscasts earlier this week.
More in our full report this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Greetings:
Don’t ask me why, but in the last two week’s we’ve added NINE new news director openings to our list, with just ONE newly filled job this week (though THREE were filled last week).
The moves our count to 28 stations with news director openings.
(con’t.)
FOUR of those ND openings are featured in our Paid Help Wanted Ads section below.
And this week we have an infrequent ad for a General Manager’s job. Naturally, they are looking for someone with a news background.
We have just ONE item in Names in the News, TWO obituaries, and news of TWO GMs on the move…one a former ND and the other started his career in news.
New News Director Openings:
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT…we told you earlier this week that MATT PIACENTE was leaving this NBC o-and-o to return to Chicago as ND for WFLD-TV. Matt was ND here for about two years. More on his move below.
Volpicella
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX…in another UPDATE earlier this week, we shared the news of FRANK VOLPICELLA‘s departure from this Tegna owned ABC affiliate. Frank accepted a buyout from the company after more than 15 years here. We have the heartfelt memo he shared with his staff, and here’s a link to a detailed story from the local newspaper. Frank’s been a news director in Lexington and Huntsville and has also worked in Tampa and Jacksonville, FL.
Dunaway
WWTV/WWUP/WFQX-TV, Cadillac/Traverse City, MI…this CBS affiliate is looking for its next news director. KEVIN DUNAWAY, who’s held that job for 16 years is taking on new responsibilities for the station which is owned by Heritage Broadcasting. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
Longoria
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX…apparently this Tegna station is advertising for a news director. I emailed three different Tegna news executives (two of them twice) seeking confirmation and additional information but never got a reply. My records show that RICHARD LONGORIA had been ND here since May 2003. Richard’s bio is still on the station’s website as I write (though it may not be by the time you read this.)
Conner
WOAY-TV, Oak Hill, WV…KEITH CONNER has left this Thomas Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. His linkedin page has lists his responsibilities this way: Additional duties include serving as executive producer, assignment editor and managing editor. He worked there for more than three years, had previously worked for several stations in Charlotte as well as in Knoxville, TN.
Blevins
KQTV, Saint Joseph, MO…BRIDGET BLEVINS is headed down I-29 to Kansas City where she’ll become the next Assistant News Director for KSHB-TV, the Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate there. Bridget has spent the last 8+ years at this Nexstar owned ABC years, serving as both ND and anchor of the early evening newscast. (According to her Linkedin page, she also co-hosts a morning radio program!)
And also please note the new paid help wanted ad for the opportunity at WCIA-TV in Champaign, IL. We told you last week that ANDY MILLER was being promoted to a corporate news position for station owner Nexstar.
Newly Named News Director:
Piacente
WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL…MATT PIACENTE will be the next ND for this FOX o-and-o. It’s a return to his hometown for Matt, who’s spent the last two years as ND for NBC’s WVIT-TV in Hartford. But he’s spent most of his career in Chicago, including 15 years at NBC’s WMAQ-TV in a variety of roles. He’s also worked at three other Chicago stations and in Columbia, MO. At WFLD, he replaces TOM DOERR who’s leaving to return to Florida for family reasons after four years as ND. ROBERT FEDER has more.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
General Manager, KTEN-TV, Denison, TX:
KTEN-TV, Denison, TX is looking for an enthusiastic and talented GM for our NBC, ABC and CW affiliates.
Our GM needs to be a progressive thinker who can drive sales growth opportunities of the three stations and must possess a strong content background. Candidates must have a passion for news with the expertise to tend to the needs of the community and help news journalists flourish.
Please send resume to: tiffany@lockwoodbroadcast.com
KTEN is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace.
Pre-employment drug test is required.
News Director, WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL:
Top rated CBS affiliate in the Champaign-Springfield Illinois market has a rare opening for a News Director.
Our current ND s being promoted to a regional position within the company. Station produces 8 hours of local news and programming daily M-F and 3 .5 hours on the weekends in addition to a multitude of special events and remote broadcasts annually across the CBS and MyNet affiliates and a digital community portal.
The station’s headquarters in Champaign is home to the University of Illinois, which provides tremendous opportunities for recruiting, partnerships and shapes our emphasis on issue-oriented news content. Our Capitol Bureau provides content and services, including a weekly half hour political show, to Illinois-based sister stations.
Successful candidate will be an experienced journalist, possess excellent leadership skills, have a demonstrated ability to hire well and train, motivate and inspire news staff. Must have 3 years’ experience as ND, Assistant ND or executive producer, experience overseeing successful remote productions, excellent writing skills and the ability to work cohesively with other departments throughout the station.
Please send your resume to: Angela Harper/HR Coordinator, aharper@wcia.com, or apply online here.
WCIA/WCIX is owned and operated by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
News Director, WWTV/WWUP/WFQX-TV, Cadillac/Traverse City, MI:
Northern Michigan’s News Leader is currently looking for a dynamic person to oversee our newsroom.
9 & 10 News and Fox 32 produce nearly 8 hours of television news a day and are committed to success on all broadcasting platforms.
We are looking for a News Director who has thrived in a leadership role, knows the importance of good story telling and has at least 6 years of television news experience.
If you are a creative mind and interested in living and working in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, email your resume to Kevin Dunaway: kevindunaway@9and10news.com
Morning Executive Producer, KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK:
Cox Media Group and KOKI-FOX23 seeks an Executive Producer who will oversee the station’s morning newscasts. The successful candidate will excel at maximizing a wealth of resources to own breaking news, overnight stories, traffic and weather coverage. The Executive Producer will ensure newscasts are fast paced with high value content and consistently executed off of key research points. The successful candidate must also understand news coverage on all platforms and use the station’s website, mobile apps and social media platforms to bring viewers to on-air newscasts. A minimum of 3 years professional experience in local TV news is required for this job.
This is an opportunity to join a team that is growing ratings every day. It is also a chance to join a company with top-rated stations in markets like Atlanta, Boston, Orlando and Charlotte.
Primary Responsibilities and Functions:
Oversees Producers and Writers
Ensures that research points are implemented daily
Works closely with reporters
Reviews structure and copy in newscasts
Insures integrity of newscast in all phases of writing and production
Makes sure content is executed on all platforms, including website and social media sites
Minimum:
5 years producing experience
The ability to multitask
Strong organizational skills
Solid news judgement
Teamwork and the ability to get along with others is an essential function of the job
Preferred:
Degree in journalism or related field
Application process:
To learn more about this opportunity and apply, please click here.
News Director, KPVI-TV, Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID:
The Idaho Broadcast Partners LLC news team is searching for a leader. KPVI, the NBC affiliate serving Southeast Idaho, is looking for a news director who can be the editorial driver of its news operation.
A dedicated staff in a modern, spacious facility produces three hours of news each day. We’re looking for someone who can lead, mentor, teach, set goals and guide the team to achieve. We’ve got new technology, a new look, a new brand, a new set and a new website. Now, we need a person with a passion for news, with the desire to serve our communities, and the communication skills to help individual broadcast journalists develop and grow.
The right candidate will have producer and news manager experience; an understanding and appreciation of the need to break news on the station’s website and social media sites; an understanding of the operation of newsgathering equipment; and a newsiness that sets the tone for our newscasts.
We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to live in some of the most beautiful country in the U.S. Stations are located just an hour to the nearest chairlift, a couple hours to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, and a short ride to Park City and Sundance with opportunities for unparalleled outdoor activities year-round.
Interested? Send a cover letter telling us why you should be our next news leader, along with a resume and any relevant links to Becky Swan, SVP of Television, at bswan@frcap.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
News Director, KYOU-TV, Ottumwa, IA:
KYOU-TV is seeking a News Director for our news operation in Ottumwa, Iowa.
This is an opportunity to lead a unique operation working in a non-traditional environment through our partnership with a private university. We’re looking for an assistant news director or senior journalist that recognizes the importance of presenting coverage with a viewer benefit and objectivity.
This person will have editorial oversight, critiquing writing skills, providing training and solve problems. Great people skills are essential and the ability to shoot and edit is a plus. A four-year degree in journalism or communications is preferred.
Please send cover letter and resume to the following email address hiringmanager@kyoutv.com or mail to
KYOU-TV
820 West Second Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501.
Applications are available at KYOUTV.COM.
No phone calls please. KYOU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Assistant News Director, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:
Job Description:
WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida is looking for an aggressive team leader with a proven track record for achieving outstanding results. Must be able to lead a strong newsroom in a fast-paced competitive environment. Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required. The ideal candidate will be able to direct, motivate and develop a successful team. You will help supervise anchors, reporters and producers. You will also work closely with Creative Services to make sure there is promotable content in the newscasts. We are looking for someone who can execute strategic plans while leading the presentation of content on air, online and in the world of evolving media. Note: All essential functions of this position are not necessarily described in this posting.
Qualifications:
This is an ideal position for an Executive Producer who is looking to make that next move. We are looking for someone with a producing background who also has at least five years of experience in a supervisory role. Must be able to perform well under pressure, meet deadlines and communicate thoroughly with all levels of management and staff. We want someone with a passion for breaking news, weather, innovative storytelling and digital coverage. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which could include days, nights, weekends and holidays as needed. Degree in communications or related field desired.
Location:
WJXT-TV
4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Email resumes and links to: kbonfield@wjxt.com
No phone calls.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 3/6/16)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 3/6/16)
KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/27/16)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/27/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 4/2/16, see ad above!)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted 4/2/16)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 2/7/16)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 2/21/16)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 3/6/16)
WCSC-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 2/14/16)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 3/13/16)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (Digital EP, relisted 3/27/16)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/20/16)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (PM EP, listed 2/21/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (PM EP, relisted 3/13/16)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (two positions, AM EP, Dayside EP, listed 2/28/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (AM EP, listed 4/2/16, see ad above!)
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 4/2/16)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/28/16)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (Morning EP, listed 2/7/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 2/21/16)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Dayside EP, relisted 3/27/16)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 3/20/16)
WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/4/11)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 3/20/16)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (AM EP, relisted 3/27/16)
WLTZ-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 2/21/16)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 3/4/11)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 2/21/16)
Obituaries:
Collins
CORRICE COLLINS, a one-time Operations Manager for WBBM-TV in Chicago, died early this morning of complications from cancer. He was 72 years old. Corrice also worked as an anchor in Jackson, MS, Columbia, MO, Wichita, and Kansas City. He later returned to WLBT-TV in Jackson as Assignment Editor and Assistant News Director. That station remembered him tonight.
This one hits home for me, as Corrice and I worked very closely together at KOMU-TV in Columbia, when we were both attending the University of Missouri in 1975, and we remained good friends if in infrequent contact. He was the first black anchorman in Central Missouri and amazingly survived a particularly chaotic newscast one night when he blurted out an epithet that went like this “Blank (rhymes with duck) a duck.” Many fledgling journalists learned a lot from him during his time at KOMU.
In 2012, when Corrice was honored by the Mississippi AP for being a groundbreaking black anchor in Jackson (where he grew up and where his career began) a few of us surprised him at the ceremony and gave him a little something to remember that newscast by.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete but are expected to be this weekend in Jackson. I’ll update this website when I know more.
One time WVNY-TV (Burlington, VT) news and sports director MAL BORIGHT died March 18th. He was 81. Mal spent most of his career in radio but also worked for several newspapers. His former station remembers him here.
And TV graphics guru JAY ANTZAKAS died March 30th of gastric cancer. He turned 60 last New Year’s Day. Jay worked for Turner Broadcasting in 1983 when he left to co-found the design firm Television by Design (TVbD). (Full disclosure: I hired them to redo our graphics in Toledo, and it was a terrific package.) More details on his life and career in this remembrance.
Name in the News:
LISA MITCHELL returns to WCYB-TV in the Tri-Cities of TN & VA as the Executive Producer for this Bonten Media owned NBC affiliate. She spent 13 years at WCYB before leaving in 2000. Most recently she’s been working for the Bristol Broadcasting Radio Group as News Director.
General Manager News:
WDBJ-TV in Roanoke has named MATT PUMO its next GM. He replaces JEFF MARKS who moved into a corporate role with new owner Gray Television. Like Jeff, Matt’s career started in news, though Matt moved into sales and then management. The full details are here.
Cates
One time news director turned GM DAN CATES joins Raycom Media as GM of the company’s WCSC-TV, the CBS affiliate in Charleston, SC. Dan most recently served as GM for Media General’s WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN, and was the ND for MG stations in Spartanburg, SC, and Mobile. He’s also worked as a reporter in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. He replaces RITA SCOTT who’s retiring after 17 years. More here.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, April 10, 2016.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com.
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston MA 02134
WWSB-TV 1477 10th St, Sarasota, FL 34236 (Tampa market)
KPNX-TV 200 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WJZY/WMYT-TV 3501 Performance Road Charlotte, NC 28214
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West Salt Lake City, UT 84110
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202
WKRN-TV 441 Murfreesboro Rd. Nashville TN 37210
WVIT-TV 1422 New Britain Ave. West Hartford CT 06107
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. W. Palm Beach, FL 33401
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Ave. Austin, TX 78757
KTUL-TV 3333 S 29th W Ave, Tulsa, OK 74107
WINK-TV 2824 Palm Beach Blvd. Ft. Myers, FL 33916
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St. Columbia, SC 29201
WAFF-TV 1414 N Memorial Parkway Huntsville, Al 35801
WCIA-TV 509 S Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820 (see ad above!)
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
KIII-TV 5002 S Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
KMID/KPEJ-TV 3200 LaForce Boulevard Midland, TX 79711
KAUZ/KSWO-TV 3601 Seymour Highway Wichita Falls, TX 76309
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108
WOAY-TV 7113 Legends Highway Oak Hill, WV 25901
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201 (see ad above!)
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St, Dothan, AL 36303
KYOU-TV 820 W Second St Ottumwa IA 52501 (see ad above!)
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
* Spanish language station