Rick Gevers & Associates

August 3, 2014

Monday Aug 4, 2014

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 UPDATE:

The long vacant WBZ-TV (the CBS o-and-o in Boston) news director opening was filled today with someone who won’t have to move.

LaPlante

GARY LaPLANTE, who’s been the Assistant ND for Fox-owned-for-now WFXT-TV in Boston, is leaving to take the ‘BZ job. Gary’s been at WFXT for three years, and earlier in his career worked for WHDH-TV in Boston. He was an EP in Hartford, an Assistant ND for WTEN-TV in Albany, NY, and the news director for WXXA-TV, the FOX station in Albany, before returning to Boston.

WFXT, as you may know, is being traded to Cox Media (along with WHBQ-TV in Memphis) for KTVU-TV in San Francisco, the Cox-owned FOX affiliate there.

He replaces JOHN VERRILLI who left the CBS o-and-o in March after five years as ND.

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Greetings:

We’re late this week due to our attendance at the NABJ conference in Boston. And there were a few interesting items to come out of the convention.

• NABJ and NAHJ have signed an agreement to consider a joint 2016 conference. As most of you know, NABJ withdrew from the Unity: Journalists for Diversity group prior to the 2012 convention. More in this article.

• My friend and client STEVE OSUNSAMI from ABC and I were at the same table at last night’s Salute to Excellence dinner with ROBERTO QUINONES, the Executive Director of Unity, and DAVID STEINBERG, the organization’s President. They told us that they are exploring opportunities for a joint convention with another organization (like ASNE, SPJ, etc.) but it’s possible that there will NOT be a Unity conference in 2016. We’ll likely know more after an October Unity board meeting.

The Salute to Excellence Dinner featured several individual awards, and an unusual way to announce the many other award winners. They were scrolled on the large screens in the ballroom with a voiceover, instead of announced individually, by the hosts. It sped up the program, but it was almost impossible to hear over the noise in the room. If you missed the winners (as most everyone there did) the entire list can be found here.

On, now, to our normal business.

FIVE new news director openings, THREE newly named NDs, and SEVEN paid help wanted ads. (Why are the busy weeks always when I’m traveling?) That means there are now 30 open ND jobs on our list at the end of this newsletter.

We have a number of large market news manager changes in our Names in the News section, as well as a pending retirement for a former (times two) RTDNA chair and a new job for a newspaper guy turned TV News Director turned newspaper guy.

All that, and more, below!

New News Director Openings:

Turchetta

KEYE-TV, Austin, TX…GREG TURCHETTA is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate to return to Southwest Florida for a job outside of TV. He’s been the ND here for almost exactly two years, coming from an Assistant ND position in Orlando. Greg’s also been an Assistant ND in Ft. Myers, an EP in Atlanta, Seattle, and Ft. Myers, and worked as a photographer in Orlando and Jacksonville.

Korioth

WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC…STEVE KORIOTH left this Media General owned CBS affiliate after two years as ND. He previously had been ND for a Media General station in Columbus, GA, spent six years as an ND in Denison, TX, and has also worked in Madison, WI, Huntsville, AL, Tucson, Dallas and Chicago. Steve tells me he’d like to land closer to family in Texas.

WWAY-TV, Wilmington, NC…SCOTT PICKEY has left this ABC affiliate after 4+ years as ND. Scott’s a former ND at another Wilmington station and in Fayetteville, AR. He’s also worked in El Paso, Huntsville, Raleigh, Richmond, and Syracuse. WWAY is owned by Morris Multimedia.

WKTV, Utica, NY…this Heartland Media owned NBC affiliate has posted a news director opening. STEVE McMURRAY has been holding down both that job and the General Manager’s position since last March, but the plan was always to add a news director down the road. Steve joined the station in 2002 as Assignment Manager, was promoted to ND in 2004, and Station Manager in 2012, and General Manager in March.

KAVU-TV, Victoria, TX…JENNIFER DODD is leaving this Saga Communications owned ABC affiliate to return to San Antonio as the Assistant News Director for KENS-TV there. She’s a former reporter/anchor for KSAT-TV in San Antonio, and has also worked in Dallas and Beaumont.

And while it’s not a new opening (we first reported the vacancy last week) please note the paid ad below for the ND opportunity at WIVB-TV in Buffalo.

Newly Named News Directors:

Vazquez

KTMD-TV, Houston, TX…a cross-town and cross language move in Houston, where longtime KTRK-TV Executive Producer JERRY VAZQUEZ moves to this Telemundo owned station. Jerry spent 13 years at KTRK, is a former ND at KMID-TV in Midland, TX, and worked both for English and Spanish language stations in San Antonio. He starts work at KTMD tomorrow and replaces REY CHAVEZ who left the station in July after 3+ years as ND.

Stevens

WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA…LEN STEVENS has been promoted to News Director for this just-acquired-by-Sinclair-last-week ABC affiliate. He’s the primary weeknight anchor and has been the interim anchor since BOB CASHEN left the station earlier this year after a few months as news director. Len first joined WSET in January, 2002, and has also worked in his native Milwaukee, Greenville and Winston-Salem, NC.

KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID…ERIC JOCHIM will be the next ND here. He’s been an EP for KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV in Montana. If I’m correct, he replaces TODD BLACKINTON who’d been the ND and anchor there for the past two years. This NBC affiliate is owned by Idaho Broadcast Partners.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:

Do you think working in TV news is more exciting than ever? Do you wake-up “jazzed” because you are creating the future of electronic journalism? Does planning coverage on multiple platforms get your creative juices flowing? If your answer to all the above is a big, fat, YES! then News 4 Buffalo may be the place for you.

We’re looking for a News Director to be a partner with our tremendous staff of journalists. If you love investigative journalism, you’ll do plenty of that here; if you’re passionate about covering some of the wildest weather anywhere, we’ve got that too and if guiding a team of award-winning pros is right up your alley, then WIVB News 4 is right where you belong .

We’re not looking for the same old thing. We want a person who’s not afraid to shake it up and spends part of each day looking for that next “big thing.” We have all the tools you’ll need, and the mix of seasoned journalists and fresh, new talent that make coming to work fun.

If this feels like your dream job, then tell us about yourself . . . and why you belong at News 4 Buffalo!

LIN Media is a local multimedia company that operates or services 43 television stations and seven digital channels in 23 U.S. markets, and a diverse portfolio of web sites, apps and mobile products that make it more convenient to access its unique and relevant content on multiple screens.

To apply online – click here.

EOE/MINORITIES/FEMALES/VETERANS/DISABLED

Managing Editor, KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA:

KIRO 7 is searching for a Managing Editor to supervise the day-to-day editorial operation of the newsroom. The right candidate will be someone who can execute the KIRO 7 playbook, interpret research, and think critically about the major news happening in Seattle. The Managing Editor should have a passion for breaking news coverage, digital news coverage, and social media. The ideal candidate will also bring excellent leadership and teambuilding skills.

The Managing Editor’s duties include (but are not limited to):

• Supervise the editorial content of the KIRO 7 news product
• Proactively exercise journalistic judgment in maintaining accurate, unbiased KIRO 7 coverage
• Work closely with the News Director, Executive Producer, Digital Team, Assignment Editors, Producers and Reporters in planning the day`s assignments
• Provide constructive editorial feedback to news staff.
• Make sure content is executed on all platforms, including website and social media sites

Qualifications:  The position requires a minimum of 7 years of newsroom experience and at least two years of management experience. Experience in a large market is a plus. College degree preferred.

Please click on this link to apply and be considered.

Executive Producer, KOKH-TV, Oklahoma City, OK:

Here’s an opportunity to work in the fastest growing newsroom in Oklahoma!

KOKH-TV Fox 25, in Oklahoma City, has an immediate opening for an Executive Producer in charge of our 5pm, 9pm and 10pm newscasts. The ideal candidate must have a passion for news, an award-winning background in local television news production, and a vision for how to showcase our team in new, exciting ways every day. The ideal candidate is also a social media rock star who understands how to incorporate digital content into our daily coverage.

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

You will oversee production of newscasts and special programming, work closely with producers and reporters on daily selection and coverage, and coordinate with other news managers to implement and execute strategies to grow ratings. As a newsroom leader, the expectation is that the Executive Producer will lead by example.

Forbes magazine considers Oklahoma City one of the best cities in the country to live. It’s the home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, some of the best college football in the country, an amazing downtown and a booming economy.

Apply by clicking here and include your salary requirements while completing our on-line application.

EEO & Drug Free Workplace!

News Manager, NBC Montana, Bozeman, MT:

NBC Montana is looking for a News Manager to manage a dynamic newsroom in one of the fastest growing communities in the West. The person we hire will have the title of Executive Producer or Assistant ND.

This is an intensely news-focused company, and we are looking for someone to take our KTVM news product to the next level. You will work closely with the News Director, based in Missoula, in running all aspects of the news department. Duties include the day to day supervision of all news and news production staff in Bozeman and Butte. You will be instrumental in building and executing a successful research-based strategic plan across our broadcast, online and mobile platforms. The right person will be an energetic leader with good motivational skills,who enjoys coaching and teaching. Good organizational and computer skills are a must.

The position is based at our KTVM studios in downtown Bozeman, home to Montana State University and surrounded by world-class skiing, outstanding summer recreation, and great restaurants. Bozeman is also the home to many high tech companies.

Send resume to: Chris Grogan, News Director, via email to: cgrogan@keci.com

or via mail to:

Chris Grogan
News Director
NBC Montana
340 West Main
Missoula, MT 59802

Bonten Media Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Assistant News Director, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:

KPRC – TV, Local 2 in Houston, Texas is looking for a dynamic team leader with a proven track record for achieving outstanding results as an Assistant News Director.  The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in the same or similar role, be able to direct, motivate and develop a successful team.  Must be able to perform well under pressure, meet deadlines and communicate well with all levels of management and staff.  Candidate must have excellent news judgment and instincts and a passion for breaking news / weather.  We are looking for someone who can help take our team to the next level on air, online and in the world of evolving media.

Note:  All of the essential functions of this position are not necessarily described in this posting.

Qualifications:  Prefer a minimum 5 years experience in a major market either as an Assistant News Director or in a similar management role; possess a thorough knowledge of national and international news issues demonstrating sound news judgment.  Degree in communications or related field desired.

Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful competition of a physical exam, drug screen, investigative background check, employment education verifications and reference checks.  You must hold a valid driver’s license and be insurable under Texas Law.

Apply to:

Rhonda LaVelle
KPRC – TV
PO Box 2222
Houston, TX 77252

or email resumes to: rlavelle@kprc.com

No Phone Calls Please

We are an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, matriculation or political affiliation.

Executive Producer, WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN:

Journalism Professor/Radio News Director, Columbia, MO:

The Missouri School of Journalism (University of Missouri-Columbia) seeks applications for an assistant professional practice professor specializing in radio news.  This faculty member will serve as news director of KBIA-an Edward R. Murrow national award-winning radio station and a working laboratory for students of The Missouri School of Journalism.

Responsibilities include classroom teaching, faculty committee assignments and service to the profession of radio journalism.  In addition, the faculty news director will direct planning, supervising and producing news programming for radio broadcast, including in-depth and long form reports, as well as public affairs programming. This faculty news director position has significant responsibility for the multimedia news website. Please visit the University of Missouri academic employment web site for full details on job duties and required qualifications (link below).

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please click here to access the online application system.  Required application materials include a cover letter summarizing qualifications, a resume, and a link to audio examples, including feature reporting. The job opening ID is 13888.  E-mail questions to Kent S. Collins, Chair of the Radio-Television Journalism faculty atcollinsks@missouri.edu

The University of Missouri-Columbia is committed to cultural diversity and expects candidates to share in this commitment. MU is an equal opportunity/ADA institution and encourages applications from women and minority candidates. The University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

POSTED: July 18, 2014 CLOSING: August 1, 2014

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/27/14, see ad above!)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/15/14)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (new listing this week)
KRNV/KRXI, Reno, NV (listed 7/20/14)
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 this week)
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (AM EP, listing modified this week)
KTVU-TV, San Francisco/Oakland, CA (Digital EP, listed 6/22/14)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 6/15/14)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 6/22/14)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, listed 7/13/14)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, listed 7/6/14)
KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 7/20/14)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 6/15/14)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 6/22/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (2 positions, EP & Spec. Proj., listed 7/13/14)
KOKH-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (PM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, listed 6/22/14)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 6/15/14)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 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, see ad above!)
KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AK (relisted 7/13/14)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 5/30/14)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 7/6/14)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

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

MANAGING EDITOR:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 6/7/14)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 7/20/14)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

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

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:

Lots of large market management moves this week.

DOUG WHITMIRE moves from Morning EP to EP of the 10:00 PM news for WLS-TV in Chicago. He’s been at this ABC o-ando since 2003, and earlier worked in Toledo.

Another ABC o-and-o lost a top manager as 14 year KGO-TV employee STEPHANIE ADROUNY crosses the street (in this case, many streets) and heads to KNTV in San Jose as the new Assistant ND for that NBC owned station. That’s her most recent job at KGO.

In Atlanta, WSB-TV has hired BRIAN SMITH as its new Director of News Technology. Brian most recently worked at ABC o-and-o WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, as Director of Advanced Technology. Brian’s spent his entire career at either ABC of the owned station group.

Speaking of Atlanta, former Atlanta (and Tampa, and Washington, and Cincinnati, and Little Rock) News Director LANE MICHAELSEN moves to the Sinclair Broadcast Group as Group News Director. You know from our report earlier this week that Lane once held a similar role for Gannett.

SARA JUST, the deputy Washington bureau chief for ABC News, has been named Executive Producer of the PBS News hour.

WHAM-TV in Rochester, NY, has promoted veteran reporter SEAN CARROLL to its vacant EP position. He also handled special projects for this ABC station.

VERONICA LANDRY joins KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs, CO, as Morning Executive Producer. She’s been working in El Paso, and has also worked in Shreveport.

Two good friends are making news this week with significant career changes.

Priddy

BOB PRIDDY, longtime news director of Missourinet, but best known to you as a two-time leader of what is now RTDNA, will retire December 1st. Bob was the founding news director for the 40 year old statewide radio network, and will continue doing a daily Missouri history program that airs there. He earlier spent seven years as ND for a Jefferson City radio station and also worked in Columbia, MO. Bob, an avid IndyCar fan and terrific writer, has also penned five books and has two more in the works, all focusing on Missouri history. Friends will honor and/or roast Bob in Columbia, on October 6th. You can wish him well, too: bpriddy@missourinet.com

Parks

And old pal SCOTT PARKS has a new job. Scott’s career has taken him from newspapers, to TV and back to newspapers, most recently at the Dallas Morning News. He’s now returned to his first newspaper, the Denton (TX) Record-Chronicle, as Managing Editor. Scott’s father worked there, as his did step-father, and he spent much of his childhood in Denton. His TV career included stops as a news director in Columbia, SC, and Tulsa in the late 80’s/early 90s.  He’s written a terrific note to the readers of the paper, and I hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy it by clicking here. Scott’s email is: sparks@dentonrc.com

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 3, 2014.

KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 *
New England Cable News, 160 Wells Avenue Newton, MA 02459
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston MA 02134
WFDC-TV 101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 *
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
KTRK-TV 3310 Bissonet St. Houston TX 77005
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WEWS-TV 3001 Euclid Ave. Cleveland OH 44115
KMAX-TV 2713 Kovr Drive Sacramento CA 95605
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28217
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WHP-TV 3300 North 6th Street Harrisburg PA 17110
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach FL 33401
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 (see ad above!)
WSLS-TV P.O. Box 10 Roanoke VA 24022
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines IA 50266
WKOW-TV 5727 Tokay Boulevard Madison WI 53719
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WCBD-TV 210 W. Coleman Blvd. Charleston SC 29464
WBTW-TV 3430 North TV Rd. Florence SC 29501
KVRR-TV 4015 9th Ave S Fargo ND 58103
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette LA 70506
WWAY-TV 615 N. Front St. Wilmington NC 28401
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

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