January 12, 2013
Greetings:
The first full week of 2013 brings a full newsletter, with TWO new ND openings and THREE new NDs to tell you about.
Our list of open ND jobs now stands at 24.
We have paid help wanted ads for FOUR of those openings, as well as an ad for an EP job in Birmingham.
There’s an obituary for a longtime Texas ND and anchor, and some memorial information for WALKER MERRYMAN whose passing we reported last week.
And there are lots of items in Names in the News, including a replacement for BRIAN BRACCO at Hearst, lots of management moves, and a cable channel reorganization that leaves two veteran news people on the beach.
All that and more below.
New News Director Openings:
Chapuis
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA…longtime Northern California ND ED CHAPUIS has announced his resignation after ten years as ND here. Ed previously spent five years as the ND for KCRA-TV in Sacramento, and was also an ND in Las Vegas. He began his career in his hometown of Chicago, where he worked in a variety of roles at WMAQ-TV. He served as Managing Editor for KCRA before his ND stint in Las Vegas. KTVU is owned by Cox and is a FOX affiliate.
WZTV, Nashville, TN…ROBERTA PETTERSON has left this Sinclair Broadcasting owned FOX affiliate after two and a half years as ND. She’s previously worked in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Tulsa.
Newly Named News Directors:
Cope-Walton
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN…we told you earlier this week that TERRI COPE-WALTON has been promoted here. Terri’s been the Assistant ND for the past year and the interim ND since KEVIN FINCH left the station in November. She first joined this ABC affiliate in 1998 as a morning producer but has spent most of her time here in Community Affairs. She’s also worked in Dayton. Terri becomes the sixth ND here since the summer of 2002.
Parker
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR…former WCAU-TV (Philadelphia) Assistant News Director DAVE PARKER is on the job as ND for this Gannett-owned CBS affiliate. He spent 10 years at WCAU, previously was the Assistant ND at WMAR-TV in Baltimore and ND for WDSI-TV in Chattanooga, TN. He started his career as a reporter for WHBQ-TV in Memphis. He replaces CHUCK MAULDEN who left the station in October and is now the ND for KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO.
Sipes
KAKE-TV, Wichita, KS…MICHAEL SIPES will be the next ND for this Gray TV owned ABC affiliate. He most recently spent five years as ND for KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, a job he left last month. He previously has been an ND in Kansas City, Louisville, and Jackson, MS. He replaces DAVE GRANT who stepped down as ND but will remain at the station as Assistant ND. Dave’s been ND since 2006 and with the station since 1996.
Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN:
WTHR-TV, Indiana’s News Leader, is seeking a news director to lead this extraordinary team. We are a dominant station, nationally recognized, award-winning, locally owned station seeking a dynamic visionary leader.
Must truly know how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skill set to maximize content and customer loyalty on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.
Quality drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us and lead us on this quest. Looking for long term players who love the quality of the Midwest and who would be proud to call Indiana home. Minimum 7 years experience in news management and proven track record of major story coverage and ratings success.
Please include your news philosophy along with your resume and cover letter when applying online here.
DISPATCH BROADCAST GROUP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
News Director, KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO:
KSHB-TV, an NBC affiliate in Kansas City, MO is a station on the move! We are seeking a highly talented and experienced News Director with a proven track record of effective team building and strong news judgment. This candidate will understand the importance of viewer benefit and telling stories that go beyond the official/traditional angles.
Strong leadership skills and the ability to coach a large staff are also highly necessary. We are looking for someone who will continue to build our reputation of award-winning news coverage, and the highest journalistic standards
The successful candidate will possess 5-7 years’ experience in newsroom management and television production desired. Must have proven and effective leadership skills; fosters open dialogue, empowers others, addresses conflict quickly and directly. Strong organizational and communication skills (verbal and written) required.
Send resume and a letter of introduction via email to: brian.bracco@kshb.com
or via mail to:
Brian Bracco
General Manager
KSHB-TV
4720 Oak Street
Kansas City MO 64112
News Director, WPIX-TV, New York, NY:
New York’s PIX11 is offering an unmatched opportunity to reinvent television news. We’re looking for a leader who is willing to break all of the traditional newsroom rules in an effort to create interesting, compelling and relevant content for our viewers. If you are glued to a desk, dreaming of the good old days of TV news, please don’t apply. This is a job for an innovative “show doctor” who is willing to roll up his or her sleeves and give New Yorkers a reason to appointment view our over-the-air and digital products. This project will make Outward Bound look like a picnic, but the rewards of creating a multi-platform content center in the nation’s #1 market will leave your head spinning. This job is not about broadcasting. It’s about target-casting to a new audience of local news viewers. Scare us with a few creative ideas and you just might get this job.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or Broadcast Journalism or equivalent related experience.
- 5-7 years’ experience in Newsroom management and television production desired.
- Excellent leadership and motivation skills required.
- Strong organizational and communications skills (verbal and written) required.
- Ability to manage a large staff effectively in a deadline oriented environment while interacting in a positive, proactive, and productive manner.
To apply, please go to www.tribune.com, under Job Seekers, referencing Job ID #2013-23728, and fill out the on-line application.
WPIX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
News Director, WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH:
WXIX-TV, FOX19 in Cincinnati seeks an experienced News Director with a track record of effective team building, aggressive news coverage including demonstrable skills online and strong leadership skills.
- Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
- Previous experience in metered market environments
- Creative approaches to building an innovative news brand
- Mobile and online strategies
- Effective use of social media in a broadcast environment
- Previous experience managing financial, technical and people resources
The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long range planning, special news coverage and station projects. The News Director leads the station’s Content Department-the largest single department in the station– and is expected to work closely with other Department Heads. Candidates should have at least three years previous News Director experience and at five years previous experience in newsroom leadership roles. WXIX is part of Raycom Media.
Send resume and a letter of introduction via email to: blanesey@fox19.com
or via mail to:
Bill Lanesey
General Manager
WXIX-TV
635 West Seventh St.
Cincinnati OH 45203
No phone calls. EOE.
Executive Producer, WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL:
WBRC seeks an Executive Producer to oversee evening and late newscasts. The successful candidate must have at least five years of experience as a producer, including at least two years of experience as an EP. This is not an entry-level leadership position. Candidate must have verifiable craft and leadership skills.
We need someone who can elevate our product from good to outstanding on a nightly basis. The EP will evaluate and critique employees and use research to build new strategies. The EP will also help to lead our digital efforts at night. Knowledge of ENPS and server-based workflow is a plus. Successful candidate must have a valid driver license and must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, extra hours, etc. Good work references are required.
Send cover letter and resume via email to: hr@wbrc.com
or via mail to:
Human Resources
WBRC-TV
1720 Valley View Dr.
Birmingham AL 35209
EOE-M/F/D/V
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (new listing this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (relisted 11/17/12)
WNCT-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 11/17/12)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/12)
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/23/12)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/22/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (AM/EP, listed 12/15/12)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/23/12)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Dayside EP, listed 12/30/12)
WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/7/12)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, listing revised 12/7/12)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, relisted this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (PM EP, listed 1/6/12, see ad above!)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted this week)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (2 openings, listed 11/3/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted 12/1/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 11/23/12)
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV (Morning EP, relisted 12/15/12)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/28/12)
Obituary and Memorial Information:
One time Corpus Christi News Director and Anchor WALTER FURLEY died Wednesday, January 9th at the age of 84. He suffered from non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Walter spent 45 years working at KZTV, and earlier had worked in radio in New York City. KIII-TV in Corpus Christi aired this tribute.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 21, at Mt. Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, VA for WALKER MERRYMAN. We told you last week that Walter died suddenly at his winter home in Puerto Rico. He’s a former radio news director who served many years as a representative of Tobacco Institute and was a big supporter of RTDNA.
Situations Wanted:
There are no takers this week on our free Situations Wanted listing which is designed to help news managers looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max.100 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:
Maushard
Hearst Broadcasting has promoted BARB MAUSHARD to replace BRIAN BRACCO to oversee the news operations of its stations. Barb will continue to work closely with VP/News, CANDY ALTMAN. Barb first joined the corporate staff in 2008. She previously had been ND of the company’s stations in Orlando, Milwaukee, and Ft. Smith, AR. She’s also worked in Kansas City, Baltimore, Columbus, OH, and Peoria, IL. We told you in late November that Brian was leaving Hearst to be GM for Scripps’ KSHB-TV in Kansas City.
A reorganization at Bright House Networks has left two veteran newspeople out of a job. The postions of ROBIN SMYTHE, who was VP and GM of Central Florida News 13 and ROD GRAMER, who had the same job at Bay News 9, were eliminated.
Former WTNH-TV (Hartford, CT) ND BILLY OTWELL has been named General Manager of the Persian News Network at the Voice of America. The station broadcasts to Iran. Billy’s also worked in TV in Atlanta and St. Louis, and has worked as a consultant. More on his background here.
KHOU-TV in Houston has hired MIKE O’NEILL as its new Executive Producer. Mike’s been the 4:00 producer at cross-town ABC o-and-o KTRK-TV for the last 12 years. He earlier produced weekend mornings at KTRK and also worked in Austin.
KRISTI CHEEK is joining WKMG-TV in Orlando as an EP. She’s been the Senior Producer for KLRT-TV in Little Rock, and has also worked in Dallas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Waco, and Wichita Falls, TX.
DANA BROWN RITTER returns to WAVY-TV in Norfolk as an EP. Earlier in her career Dana produced for WAVY. She’s been working at the CBN Washington bureau and earlier worked at the Hearst Bureau in DC. She’s been an EP in Pittsburgh and also worked in Roanoke.
GM notes: ALLYSON MEYERS has been promoted to GM of FOX’s WOFL-TV in Orlando. She’s been the GSM for the company’s Philadelphia’s station, WFXT-TV. And CHUCK SPOHN has left KLRT/KASN-TV in Little Rock, shortly after Sinclair bought the stations.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, January 6, 2013.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017 (see ad above!)
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 (address corrected) *
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60601
KTVU-TV 2 Jack London Square Oakland CA 94607
WGCL-TV 425 14th St. NW Atlanta GA 30318
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AX 85013
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46204 (see ad above!)
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville TN 37228
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112 (see ad above!)
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108
WXIX-TV 635 W. Seventh St. Cincinnati OH 45203 (see ad above!)
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510
WPTY/WLMT 2701 Union Ave. Ext. Memphis TN 38112
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
WDTN-TV 4595 S. Dixie Highway Dayton OH 45439
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
WGME-TV 81 Northport Dr. Portland ME 04103
WCSH-TV One Congress Square Portland ME 04101
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs CO 80905
WTVM-TV 1900 Wynnton Road Columbus GA 31906
KRIS/KZTV 301 Artesian St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd. Rockford IL 61105
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse St. Jackson TN 38301
* Spanish language station