January 25, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013 UPDATE:
There are TWO news director moves in top 20 markets to report, but only ONE person is involved.
Beck
That’s because CAMERYN BECK is leaving one top twenty market station, KOVR-KMAX-TV, the CBS o-and-o duopoly in Sacramento, to become the ND for Belo’s KTVK-TV in Phoenix. Most of you know that KTVK is a true independent but is very competitive in the news ratings in Phoenix.
Cameryn’s been ND at KOVR since March 2008. She was promoted to the job from EP, and previously had worked for KCRA-TV in Sacramento.
At KTVK, she’ll replace BRAD REMINGTON who announced he was leaving last fall. Brad will return to Denver where his wife is a principal at a private school. They’ve been doing the commuter thing for the four years that Brad’s been ND at KTVK.
More on these changes and all the news, including the retirement of a longtime Mississippi news director, in our full newsletter later this week.
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Greetings:
Just TWO new ND openings in this week’s report, and, as far as I know, no new news directors were named this week.
That brings our list of open ND jobs to 27.
We have paid ads for both the new openings, as well as ads for two other ND jobs and two EP openings. If you apply for any of those jobs, please let them know where you learned about the openings.
We also have a few new news management openings in our section on Other News Management Openings.
Unfortunately we have four obituaries this week, including one for a Cleveland Assignment Editor and the father of a veteran ND.
And there are some interesting items in Names in the News.
All that and more after this for the Kneeland Project:
The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now
Apply today!
It’s time to apply for The Kneeland Project’s life-changing April 10-13 session in Austin, TX. Applications are due next Thursday.
Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected participants. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
- What’s missing from your social media strategy?
- The world can be sloppy – leadership and ethics in a 24-7 socially networked world.
- What’s happening to our business – what’s ahead in the next three, five, ten years?
- Big J Millennials?
- Our viewers have changed. Now it’s our turn.
- How newsroom systems must evolve to meet the challenges of our business.
Selected news directors will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.
It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. News Directors return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.
Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program and applications are due Thursday, January 31st. Apply today!
New News Director Openings:
KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City, OK…MARY ANN ECKSTEIN has left this NBC affiliate after 33 years at the station, which is now owned by LocalTV. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
Soares
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…after just four months at this CBS affilaite, JOHN SOARES has left this Sunflower Broadcasting owned operation. He previously had been ND at WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN for two years. John has also worked in California. Old friend TOM LINDNER from parent company Schurz Broadcasting will serve as the interim news director. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
Newly Named News Directors:
I’m not aware of any newly hired NDs this week (a reminder that we always appreciate your tips), but I do need to correct something from last week.
In our report on DAN BALL’s appointment as ND for WFFT-TV in Ft. Wayne, IN, we called it a FOX affiliate. It once was, but hasn’t been since August, 2011. It is now an independent station.
Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City, OK:
Seeking experienced News Director with strong leadership, coverage, and production skills!
KFOR/KAUT produces 50+ hours of news and local programming each week. This is a big job and requires strong leadership skills. The primary task for our next News Director is to manage a strategic plan that’s viewer-focused. Position requires experienced management of the station’s news operations, strategic goals, budgets, and staff.
Core Job Functions:
- Achieve specific goals for audience share growth, direct news and production staff, manage news gathering resources, direct interactive platform initiatives, and integrate news coverage and local programming with other station operations.
- Work with News management to achieve a viewer-focused News and Local Programming content strategy.
- Manage Human Resource tasks, including hiring, job evaluation, training, and team building to create a positive work environment.
- Serve as a fair and inclusive leader in the newsroom offering guidance and collaboration in a team-building atmosphere.
- Maintain day-to-day budget controls, controlling and monitoring overtime and other costs.
- Work with news management to develop productive work schedules that best utilize all available resources.
- Works in collaboration with all other station department heads and their respective departments.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Successful candidate needs experience in managing a complex news operation, preferably 3 to 5 years experience as a News Director or equivalent. Experience and knowledge of News practices and procedures, FCC guidelines as they relate to news, research and promotional tools as they relate to news, and firm grasp of strategic news planning and positioning.
Please send all inquiries via email to: jobs@kfor.com
or via mail to:
Human Resources
KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV
444 E. Britton Rd.
Oklahoma City OK 73114
News Director, KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS:
Sunflower Broadcasting, Inc. (Wichita, Kansas) is looking for a News Director to lead our news team. The candidate we are looking for understands responsible journalism and can lead a team to produce exciting newscasts that both inform and educate viewers. A passion to win weather and sports is a must. Knowledge of digital media and implementation of social media strategies should be demonstrated in current position.
We are HD, all field crews have laptops and smart phones. We have the tools and a state-of-the art newsroom to get the job done.
Sunflower consists of 16 channels of distribution including: KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV, bureau stations KBSD-TV, KBSH-TV, KBSL-TV, a JSA with Spanish Station KDCU, a 24-hour digital and mobile weather channel and two dynamic websites (one of which focuses on high school sports) and apps for news, sports and weather. The CBS affiliate KWCH leads the market in ratings and produces more than 45 hours of local news each week.
Watch Eyewitness News on-line and send your critiques of the product and how you believe
you can move the product and team forward. Critiques can be uploaded with your resume through the Career Center.
Don’t miss this chance to work for one of the best broadcasting companies in the business at their dynamic operation in Wichita, which executes more like a top 20 market than a top 70.
Sunflower is owned by Schurz Communications and managed by Joan Barrett. If you are ready to lead a winning team, access this link to learn more about the position and search Requisition Number SUN1122
News Director, WZTV, Nashville, TN:
FOX 17 in Nashville, TN is searching for an experienced, hands-on News Director to lead the rebuilding of a great news operation.
Candidates need to show an aggressive and competitive style of news management, and possess the ability to lead a strong digital news initiative. Must also be able to be a leader and a teacher with significant knowledge of television journalism, ethics and law.
The position requires day-to-day management and improvement of news content and quality on all platforms. The News Director will also be responsible for maintaining a budget and properly handling all personnel issues. Candidates must show thorough knowledge of current news events as well as the ability to produce newscasts that meet and exceed current industry standards. The position requires strong talent recruiting and development skills.
The News Director at WZTV works with the station’s General Manager and Corporate to establish and build a news philosophy that keeps the television news operation competitive and profitable. Must have a minimum of three years upper level news management experience and a related college degree.
Apply online by going to www.sbgi.net/employment
EEO/Drug Free
News Director, KEYT-TV, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, CA:
KEYT News Channel 3, located high atop TV Hill in beautiful Santa Barbara, is seeking an extraordinary leader to head a growing news team. We have just been acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company, and are making huge capital investments to build a dominant local news organization.
Our News Director will be a visionary leader, understand 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 medial platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.
Quality and innovation drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us on this quest. We are growing, innovating and positioning our team to dominate the market. Looking for long-term players who love the quality of life on the California Coast and who would be proud to call Santa Barbara home. Minimum five years of television news management experience. A combination of experience and/or education may also be considered.
If you want to be a part of our success, please send your resume and cover letter, along with your news philosophy to:
Human Resources
KEYT-TV
730 Miramonte Drive
Santa Barbara CA 93109
or via email to lindseygarcia@keyt.com
KEYT-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Executive Producer, WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN:
WSMV-TV is looking for an innovative and proactive Executive Producer to keep our newscasts and producing team moving forward. The Executive Producer supervises the look and content of multiple newscasts in order to ensure accuracy, quality, and adherence to ratings and research strategies. Responsible for generating coverage ideas, creating and improving newscast elements, and reviewing scripts. Will also be involved in a wide array of newsroom decisions and projects as a member of a collaborative news management team.
The EP is responsible for year-round performance management of our producers and associate producers, and must have a demonstrated track record of strong coaching and direct feedback. Other projects and responsibilities as assigned by news director. Must be willing to work long or unusual hours as news needs require, including occasional nights, overnights, weekends, and holidays.
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications or related field. Minimum five years producing newscasts. Two years as Executive Producer or Supervising Producer preferred. INews proficiency, computer and newsroom software. Excellent Benefits.
To apply, click here to get to the Meredith Careers site.
EOE
Executive Producer, KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA:
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA is seeking a full-time Executive Producer to lead our top-rated morning news. You might be thinking “morning?!” Yak! “Spokane?! Isn’t that where it rains all the time?” You need to see this in person. Our morning show has more resources than markets three times our size (3 live reporters, 2 anchors with a decade of tenure, and more toys than you could play with). And take it from a Florida boy, the inland northwest is a winter wonderland with plenty to keep you busy indoors too. The summers are simply unbeatable. As for the job: you should be able to handle the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, working closely with producers and reporters to shape coverage; but a qualified candidate will also make sure we stay true to brand by staying in front of breaking news and driving our interactive coverage. We also want someone who can develop, train and coach producers, reporters, and editors to cover the effects of a story, not just the event. Oh, and there’s the typical stuff like overseeing staff work schedules and establishing new workflows that save everyone time.
Qualified candidates please apply online and/or email resume to Neal Boling, Executive Director of Content and Operations: neal.boling@khq.com
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/12/13)
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)
KXNV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (2 Openings, AM EP & Special Projects, new listing this week)
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)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 1/19/13)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (PM EP, listed 1/19/13)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 1/19/13, see ad above!)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (PM EP, listed 1/6/13)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (2 openings, listed 11/3/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 1/19/13, see ad above!)
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)
Obituaries:
Fink
DANIELLE FINK, a longtime assignment editor for WKYC-TV in Cleveland died last weekend in a car accident in North Olmsted, OH. She was 48, and had spent more than 20 years working for the NBC affiliate, which paid tribute to her in this story. Danielle had earlier worked at WEWS-TV in Cleveland.
BOB NORMAN, a former news director and anchor in Hartford, CT, died Saturday, January 19th, at the age of 77. He later went into politics and served three terms as mayor of East Haven, CT.
PAUL POHLMAN, a longtime faculty member for the Poynter Institute, died last week after a brief illness. He was 70.
Our sympathy to WCNC-TV (Charlotte, NC) News Director CORRIE HARDING on the death of his father. JOHN HARDING died last Wednesday in Cleveland after a two year battle with lung cancer. Corrie’s also been an ND in Pittsburgh, and worked in Columbus, OH, Washington, DC, Dallas and Cleveland. A sympathetic note would reach him at: charding@wcnc.com
Situations Wanted:
No takers this week on our free Situations Wanted listing. 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:
Mason
Longtime CBS News executive LINDA MASON has announced her retirement. She’s been with CBS for 47 years, starting as a radio desk assistant. She’s currently Senior VP of Standards and Specials. Linda was the first female producer on the CBS Evening News. Click here to read more about her remarkable career.
WWAY-TV (Wilmington, NC) News Director SCOTT PICKEY was arrested this week for for failing to obey a traffic officer during the Martin Luther King parade in Wilmington. The station reported on his arrest, which you can see here.
LES VANN, a former ND and anchor in Springfield, IL, who’s been a GM in a variety of markets, has been named VP/GM of LIN Media’s WJCL/WGTS in Savannah, GA.
KSNV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, says it plans to drop all its syndicated programs in favor of local news by 2016. If that holds true, the station would air only news and information programming from 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with the lone exception of Days of our Lives.
MISSION OF HOPE, a documentary produced by longtime news manager DAN COHEN, premieres this week on PBS (as they say, check your local listings.) It’s about the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia, the loss of all seven astronauts, including the first Israeli astronaut and what he was carrying. Dan’s worked as a producer and EP in Washington, Miami, and Orlando.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Friday, January 25, 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
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
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville TN 37228 (see ad above!)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108
WXIX-TV 635 W. Seventh St. Cincinnati OH 45203
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV 444 E. Britton Rd. Oklahoma City OK 73114 (see ad above!)
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
KWCH-TV 2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67209 (see ad above!)
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
KETY-TV 730 Miramonte Dr. Santa Barbara CA 93109 (see ad above!)
KRIS/KZTV 301 Artesian St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd. Rockford IL 61105
WVVA-TV Rte. 460 Bypass Bluefield, WV 24701
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse St. Jackson TN 38301
* Spanish language station