August 9, 2020
Sunday, August 16, 2020 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Due to travel and a lengthy report, tonight’s newsletter won’t posted until after 1:30 2:30 AM Eastern time Monday morning. So get a good night’s sleep and check back Monday morning!
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 UPDATE:
Greetings:
TWO large market news director changes to tell you about. ONE is most interesting to those of us who follow such things, and ONE involves a network o-and-o ND moving to a GM job.
LaPorte
First, JOHN LaPORTE has resigned as ND for Cox Media Group’s KIRO-TV (CBS) in Seattle after about 14 months there. He’s returning to Milwaukee, where he spent almost nine years as ND at WITI-TV (FOX), to be the Assistant ND at WDJT-TV (Weigel/CBS).
John’s been an ND in several other markets: His Linkedin page has details.
Of note: WDJT has a relatively new GM, ANNE BROWN, who spent many years at WITI, most recently as Marketing Director, where she clearly would have worked with John.
Figueroa
The other move involves MIGDALIA FIGUEROA is leaving NBC’s WTVJ-TV in Miami to be GM for sister NBC property WTMO-TV (Telemundo) in Orlando. More in this news release.
She’s been ND at WTVJ for eight years. She’s also worked in New York and for the Univision station in Miami.
Migdalia is the third network o-and-o ND (two NBC, one CBS) to get a big promotion in the last few weeks.
It’s been a busy week. We’ll recap it all this weekend in our full newsletter.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, August 10, 2020 UPDATE:
For the second time in less than a month, a network o-and-o news director is being bumped up to a corporate job at the parent company.
Williams
This time, it’s ANZIO WILLIAMS, who’s been named VP for Diversity for NBC News. This news release explains his role in this new job.
Anzio’s been the ND for NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia for more than eight years. He previously spent five years as ND for Hearst’s KCRA-TV (NBC) in Sacramento and two years as ND for another Hearst station, WDSU-TV (also NBC) in New Orleans. He’s also worked in Orlando, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami, and Greensboro, NC.
Last month, we told you that JOHNNY GREEN, JR., was being promoted from ND for CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston to become VP of News Services for CBS News. Johnny and Anzio have been friends since they worked together in Charlotte and later in Philadelphia, where Anzio hired Johnny as Nightside EP.
Congrats to Anzio. And we’ll more have in our full newsletter next weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
It’s a busy week for news director movement, with FIVE new news directors and TWO new openings. Both those openings were created when people left to take new news director jobs.
Those changes reduce our list of open ND jobs to 28.
Let me call your attention to THREE paid help wanted ads for news management positions in medium market stations.
There’s an obituary for a former California news director who went into politics…and wanted to divide California into THREE states.
The National News and Documentary EMMY nominations are out, and TEN local stations have been singled out for special recognition.
We also have details on a new job for a longtime Magid executive, a North Carolina EP takes a job out of the business, and TWO management hires at smaller Scripps stations.
All that and more after this word from our longtime sponsor, Devlin Design Group.
Newly Named News Directors:
Stone
KXTX-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…JOHN STONE, who is the VP/News for sister NBC owned KXAS-TV, is assuming the ND role for this Telemundo affiliate. John has been the ND at KXAS since November, 2018, and was the assistant news director there for almost two years before that. He’s also worked in New York City, Boston, and for MSNBC. John replaces FREDDY OLDENBURG who left in April.
Schlesser
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (part of the Tampa market)…JEFF SCHLESSER moves within Gray to become ND for this ABC affiliate. Here’s the note from GM JEFF BENNINGHOFF. It’s a return to Tampa for Schlesser, who spent eight years at WTVT-TV. He’s also worked in Milwaukee, Madison, and Eau Claire, WI. At WWSB, he replaces JENNIFER HARDY who left the station in June after four years as ND.
Clark
WJZY/WMYT-TV, Charlotte, NC…our Wednesday UPDATE brought news that CASEY CLARK is already on the job as the ND for this FOX/My Network TV) in Charlotte. (Nexstar acquired the station from FOX earlier this year.) Casey most recently was the ND for KCTV (Meredith/CBS) in Kansas City, a job he left in April. He’s also been an ND for WHEC-TV (NBC) in Rochester, NY and has worked at a number of stations. Casey replaces TINA LUQUE who left in June after four years as ND.
Gulden
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH…BECKY GULDEN has been promoted to news director at this Sinclair Broadcasting (ABC/Fox) operation. Here’s the email from Sinclair VP/News SCOTT LIVINGSTON. Becky’s a 5+ year veteran of the station, first a producer, then EP, and to Assistant ND in June 2018. She’s also worked in Columbus, OH, Charlotte, Knoxville, and Toledo. She replaces KEVIN ROACH who moved to sister Sinclair WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington as Director of AM Content.
Silberstein
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX…MARK SILBERSTEIN fills the long vacant opening at the Scripps owned NBC affiliate. His title will be Senior Director of Content (think news director but with a longer title.) Mark has been the news director for Nexstar’s WETM-TV in Elmira, NY for the last two years. He’s previously worked in Boston, Cleveland, Saginaw, Shreveport, Providence, Wichita, and Lansing. At KRIS, he replaces PAUL ALEXANDER who left earlier this year.
New News Director Openings:
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL…you learned above that JEFF SCHLESSER is moving south and returning to the Tampa market as ND for sister-Gray station WWSB-TV. He’s been ND here for five years. More details above.
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY…and you also learned above that MARK SILBERSTEIN is leaving this Nexstar station for Scripps’ KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi where he will be Senior Director of Content.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Assistant News Director, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:
WIS-TV, the #1 rated legacy NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina, is seeking a motivated, hands-on Assistant News Director to craft daily news coverage and help oversee our dynamic, Emmy winning team. The ideal candidate possesses strong news judgement and a competitive fire to drive audience growth on all platforms.
WIS-TV has been the #1 ranked television station in the capitol city of Columbia, South Carolina for 66 years. WIS broadcasts to 41 of the state’s 46 counties, making it truly “South Carolina’s TV Station”. WIS ranks as the #2 ranked NBC in the country (out of 253 affiliates). Among its many former notable on-air staff is NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin. Melvin, a Columbia native, got his start as a reporter and anchor for WIS. WIS is an award-winning news operation with 25 Regional Emmy nominations and 5 Emmys won in the last two years.
The historic and iconic WIS building is located two blocks from the South Carolina Statehouse and just across the street from the sprawling University of South Carolina. Outdoor enthusiast relish the areas many golf courses that South Carolina has to offer along with boating and fishing on the large 50,000 acre Lake Murray recreational area in Lexington County. Lake Murray is the largest recreational reservoir in the world.
WIS-TV is a part of the Gray Television family. Gray Television is a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 93 television markets.
Click here to apply:
Executive Producer, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:
WIS-TV, the #1 rated legacy NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina, is searching for an experienced Executive Producer to join our management team. The ideal candidate will have excellent news judgement, refined communication skills, and the creative vision to teach and inspire.
WIS-TV has been the #1 ranked television station in the capitol city of Columbia, South Carolina for 66 years. WIS broadcasts to 41 of the state’s 46 counties, making it truly “South Carolina’s TV Station”. WIS ranks as the #2 ranked NBC in the country (out of 253 affiliates). Among its many former notable on-air staff is NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin. Melvin, a Columbia native, got his start as a reporter and anchor for WIS. WIS is an award-winning news operation with 25 Regional Emmy nominations and 5 Emmys won in the last two years.
The historic and iconic WIS building is located two blocks from the South Carolina Statehouse and just across the street from the sprawling University of South Carolina. Outdoor enthusiast relish the areas many golf courses that South Carolina has to offer along with boating and fishing on the large 50,000 acre Lake Murray recreational area in Lexington County. Lake Murray is the largest recreational reservoir in the world.
WIS-TV is a part of the Gray Television family. Gray Television is a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 93 television markets.
Learn more and apply here.
Executive Producer, KDRV-TV, Medford, OR:
Allen Media Broadcasting’s KDRV-TV (ABC) in Medford, Oregon seeks an Executive Producer to help lead, develop, train, and motivate its team of journalists.
This is a great opportunity for an up-and-coming producer or reporter who wants to break into newsroom management. Our next EP will guide producers and reporters in writing clear, concise news copy for our newscasts and digital platforms. We maintain a strong focus on live, local coverage of hard news, breaking news, and weather. In our shop, the EP is a player-coach and will produce newscasts regularly. A four-year college or university degree and previous experience in a television newsroom as a producer or reporter is required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced setting are essential.
Our station is located in the Rogue Valley near the Southern Oregon Wine Trail and is just a short drive away from great hiking, mountain biking, skiing, golfing, fishing, whitewater rafting, the Britt Festival’s concerts under the stars, and the Tony award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival. If you still need an occasional big city fix, then Portland and San Francisco are just a quick direct flight or a few hours’ drive away.
If you’re ready to step into a management role at a dominant station in a beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest, then apply here.
A PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN IS REQUIRED.
Must possess or be able to obtain an Oregon driver’s license. KDRV-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 7/19/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/2/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 7/19/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 6/21/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (new listing this week)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 8/2/20, see ad above!)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (listed 7/12/20)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (new listing this week)
WFLA-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (listed 7/19/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 7/19/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 7/5/20)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital EP, new listing this week)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 6/14/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted this week)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 8/2/20, see ad above!)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 8/2/20)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (new listing this week)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 6/21/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (listed 8/2/20, see ad above!)
KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (listed 8/2/20)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WFTX-TV, Ft, Myers, FL (listed 7/12/20)
More News Management Openings:
Listed This Week:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
Listed 7/26/20:
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN (Digital Media Manager)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)
Listed 7/19/20:
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 7/12/20:
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 6/28/20:
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Managing Editor/Digital News)
Relisted 6/14/20:
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)
Obituary:
Statham
STAN STATHAM, a former news director and anchor at KHSL-TV in Chico, CA, died at the age of 81. He later spent two terms in the California Assembly where he supported legislation to divide California into three separate states. His former station has this remembrance.
Names in the News (and other items):
Nominations for the national news and documentary EMMYs were announced this week. Here’s the complete list, including TEN local stations (see page three of the release) which were singled out for recognition.
Ridge
Longtime Magid executive STEVE RIDGE joins Screen Engine/ASI as Executive Vice President of its newly created TV News Group. Details in this news release. Steve retired from Magid at the end of 2019 after more than 30 years with the company. He’s a former news director in Buffalo (WKBW-TV) and Huntsville, AL (WAAY-TV).
Kachinsky
NOELLE KACHINKSY is leaving her job as the executive producer for Spectrum News in Charlotte to be a Media Specialist working closely with the Centers for Disease Control doing media response to Coronavirus. She’s been at Spectrum for about a year, and has also worked in Norfolk, Macon, Bristol, Spartanburg, Asheville, and Green Bay.
Scripps filled two management jobs this week:
COLLIN VAN BUSKIRK was named Real Time Desk Manager at KRIS-TV (NBC) in Corpus Christi. He’s been working for WGCL-TV in Atlanta on the Assignment Desk.
And DeLAINA CRUTCHER is the new Executive Producer at WLEX-TV (NBC) in Lexington, KY. It’s a return to Lexington for DeLaina, who formerly worked at WKYT-TV there. She most recently has been the morning EP at WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH.
General Manager News and Notes:
Laura W.
LAURA WILLIAMSON is the new GM for Hearst’s KSBW-TV (ABC) in Monterey-Salinas, CA. This may come as a shock to you :), but it’s an internal promotion within Hearst for Laura, who has worked in sales for almost 25 years at Hearst’s KCRA-TV in Sacramento. More here.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 9, 2020:
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
KABC-TV 500 Circle Seven Dr. Glendale, CA 91201
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York, PA 17403
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12309
WALA-TV 1501 Satchel Paige Dr. Mobile, AL 36606
KLKN-TV 3240 S 10th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WANE-TV 2915 W. State Blvd. Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KVAL/KMTR-TV 4575 Blanton Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
KTVA-TV 2550 Denali St. # 1604 Anchorage, AK 99503
KPLC-TV 20 Division Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
WETM-TV 101 East Water St. Elmira, NY 14901
WCAV-TV 999 2nd Street, S.E. Charlottesville Virginia 22902
WLFI-TV 2605 Yeager Rd. West Lafayette, IN 47906
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001
**: Spanish language station