July 28, 2024
Thursday, August 1, 2024:
Greetings:
It didn’t take long for CBS to announce its plans for the post-Norah O’Donnell version of the CBS Evening News.
I arrive in Chicago and NABJ later this morning. Hope to see many of you there.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
LOTS of ND changes this week!
SIX (count ’em, SIX) jobs were filled while FOUR positions opened up, including ONE in the number ONE market.
So, our list of open ND jobs drops to 38.
We have TWO ads for very similar…but different…jobs in a top ten market. Check them out below.
If you are going to the upcoming Texas Association of Broadcasters convention, be sure to stop by the Octopus booth and say hi to former Houston news manager SCOTT FITZFERALD. He’ll show you the latest innovations in newsroom technology with Octopus Newsroom. Learn more in the ad below.
NO obituaries this week.
THREE GM changes, including one in Detroit and TWO at Nexstar stations.
The list of National EMMY News and Documentary nominees is out…we have the very long list.
Also in Names in the News, a FOUR time California ND returns to Sacramento but this time he’s working for the state, not covering it. There are TWO management moves for Hispanic news managers who work at English language stations. And TWO former news directors have written what look like intersting new books.
Read on for details!
Newly Named News Directors:
Whitmire
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL…in a move we first reported in a Tuesday UPDATE, DOUG WHITMIRE has been promoted to VP/News for this ABC o-and-o. He’s been the Assistant ND there since 2021, EP for 14 years before that, and joined the station in 2003 as a news writer. Doug replaces the only boss he ever had there, JENNIFER GRAVES, who retired last month after an amazing 22+ years as ND there.
Oliphant
WWJ-TV, Detroit, MI…Wednesday’s UPDATE told you that KENNAN OLIPHANT is moving across Southfield (a Detroit suburb) to become VP/News and Station Manager for this CBS o-and-o. Kennan’s been the Senior Director of News at Scripps’ WXYZ-TV (ABC) since 2022. It’s the first move by newly appointed Regional GM JENNIFER LYONS (more on that below.) PAUL PYTLOWANY, who had been the ND, becomes VP/Director of News Content and Special Projects.
Tierney
KGW-TV, Portland, OR…in a move we did NOT tell you about in an UPDATE (because we just learned about it today!), JOHN TIERNEY has been promoted to ND for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND for the last six years, and came to KGW in 2014 as the multi-platform EP, overseeing investigative and political reporting. He replaces GREG RETSINAS who was promoted to GM earlier this year.
Wood
WTIC-TV, Hartford CT…TERRY WOOD returns to the ND chair at this Tegna owned FOX affiliate. He’s been the assistant ND for Scripps’ WGBA-TV (NBC) in Green Bay, but earlier had been an ND in Odessa, TX. Terry has lots of major market experience. At WTIC, he replaces DANA ROSENGARD who left in March after less than a year as ND and not quite two years at the station.
Roldan
KXMB-TV, Bismarck, ND…this Nexstar owned CBS/CW affiliate has hired STEVE ROLDAN as its next news director. It’s a return to North Dakota for Steve, who earlier worked in Fargo but has spend the last seven years at KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver. His (not yet deleted) KMGH profile page lists his roles there and his career history. He’s replacing JOE RINALDI who left earlier this year
Downing
KCWY/KGWN-TV, Casper/Cheyenne, WY…these Marquee Broadcasting stations have hired JEREMY DOWNING to oversee the news departments. Here’s the staff memo from Marquee COO GENE STEINBERG. He’s been the assistant ND for KIVI-TV in Boise, and earlier worked as an ND for another Cheyenne station.. He replaces TIFFANY LOGAN. KCWY serves Casper as an NBC affiliate, while KGWN is a CBS and NBC affiliate for Cheyenne.
New News Director Openings:
Collins
WXTV, New York,NY…LUISA COLLINS has left this Univision owned station after three years as VP of Content. The change was first reported by Media Moves. She’s also worked for Entravision and seven years as a news director for Univision in Colorado.
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC…this Tegna owned CBS affiliate is looking for a Morning News Director. LIZ GARCIA had held that role.
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI…you learned above that KENNAN OLIPHANT is leaving this Scripps owned ABC affiliate (where his title was Senior Director of News) to join Detroit’s CBS o-and-o, WWJ-TV, as VP/News and Station manager.
Gulden
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH…BECKY GULDEN has left this Sinclair owned ABC/FOX operation. She’s been the ND there since August 2020, and earlier and worked there for five years as a producer, EP, and assistant ND (though not at the same time, presumably). You’ll learn in this Linkedin post that she’s joining a local school district as the PIO.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Morning Broadcast Executive Producer, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:
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As the Executive Producer, you will guide the broadcast team to deliver engaging content across platforms, ensuring alignment with our brand pillars. Collaborating with News Managers, you will set the editorial direction, foster a strong newsroom culture, and leverage new technology to keep our content innovative.
You will oversee the onboarding and training of new producers, aiding them with script writing and newscast crafting. By using showcasing skills, you will help create compelling newscasts and ensure cohesive content delivery across all platforms. Your news judgment will be critical in reacting to breaking news and adjusting coverage priorities seamlessly. You will advocate for content that resonates with our diverse audience and addresses community issues, ensuring active community engagement from our content and talent.
The ideal candidate has experience as a producer in a large-market TV news operation, creative writing skills for news promos and teases, and strong copy-editing abilities. Familiarity with Augmented Reality and proficiency in Edius and other editing programs are essential. Exceptional leadership, creative and editorial judgment, and strong communication skills are required.
Preferred qualifications include experience as an Executive Producer and a degree in Journalism or Communications.
To apply: Please send your resume to: Managers of Content and Coverage, MCCKPRC@kprc.com
Visit Click2houston.com to view learn more.
Evening Broadcast Executive Producer, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:
KPRC 2, a leader in innovative news broadcasting, is seeking a Morning Broadcast Executive Producer. This dynamic role is ideal for a leader passionate about enhancing newscasts and nurturing talent.
As the Executive Producer, you will guide the broadcast team to deliver engaging content across platforms, ensuring alignment with our brand pillars. Collaborating with News Managers, you will set the editorial direction, foster a strong newsroom culture, and leverage new technology to keep our content innovative.
You will oversee the onboarding and training of new producers, aiding them with script writing and newscast crafting. By using showcasing skills, you will help create compelling newscasts and ensure cohesive content delivery across all platforms. Your news judgment will be critical in reacting to breaking news and adjusting coverage priorities seamlessly. You will advocate for content that resonates with our diverse audience and addresses community issues, ensuring active community engagement from our content and talent.
The ideal candidate has experience as a producer in a large-market TV news operation, creative writing skills for news promos and teases, and strong copy-editing abilities. Familiarity with Augmented Reality and proficiency in Edius and other editing programs are essential. Exceptional leadership, creative and editorial judgment, and strong communication skills are required.
Preferred qualifications include experience as an Executive Producer and a degree in Journalism or Communications.
To apply: Please send your resume to: Managers of Content and Coverage, MCCKPRC@kprc.com
Visit Click2houston.com to view learn more.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 7/21/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/1/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 7/21/24)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 7/28/24)
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 7/21/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 6/2/24)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 7/7/24)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 7/28/24)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 7/14/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 6/16/24)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/21/24)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 7/21/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (listed 4/28/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (relisted 7/21/24)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 7/28/24)
WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA (AM EP, listed 7/28/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, listed 6/16/24)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Morning Broadcast EP, listed 7/28/24 (see ad below!)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Evening Broadcast EP, listed 7/28/24) (see ad below!)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 7/28/24)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 6/23/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (relisted 7/21/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 6/16/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 7/21/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 5/27/24)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/1/24)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 7/1/24)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 7/21/24)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 7/21/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 6/2/24)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (AM EP, listed 7/28/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/21/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 6/9/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 7/21/24)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 7/1/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/21/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listing modified 7/1/24)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Executive Digital Producer, listed 7/7/24)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (listed 6/9/24)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 6/9/24)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 7/21/24:
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Digital Director)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (Digital Director)
Relisted 7/21/24:
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)
Obituaries:
No obituaries this week, fortunately.
Names in the News (and other stuff):
NATAS announced the nominees for the 45th Annual News and Documentary awards. The list is long, so get your favorite beverage before you click here.
Veteran ND JONATHAN SHELLEY is back in a newsroom, at least temporarily. He’s filling in at Tegna’s WZDX-TV (FOX) in Huntsville. He’s been an ND in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Ft. Wayne.
Chapuis
Former ND turned GM ED CHAPUIS has a new job. Ed was kind enough to tip me to his new role in an email. And you can find out what that job is in his Linkedin post. It’s a return to Sacramento for Ed, who most recently was the GM for Scripps’ KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, a job he left in January. He’s twice been an ND in Sacramento as well as in Oakland, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
A number of moves at Spanish language stations as first reported by Media Moves:
PHIL LANDEROS has been promoted to manager of content and coverage at Graham Media’s WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando. He’d been the PM EP there.
And VERA CASTILLO joins WSPA-TV (Nexstar/CBS) as an EP, overseeing a lifestyle show. She’d been working for WTVJ-TV (NBC) and co-owned WSCV-TV (Telemundo) as Senior EP of programming.
Two former news directors have new books.
Barnes
One time Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle ND (and consultant) JOE BARNES has released Social Media Safety: What Parents and Teens Need to Know. The Kindle version is available now on Amazon. Joe tells mt the paperback version will be out in mid-August.
And longtime Toledo news manager ANTHONY KNOPPS is out with an interesting new book: “The No-Fail Mission” focuses on the stories of ten men and women who served the “Office of the President.” These military leaders are often found in the background, but they are “in the room” when history happens. Proceeds go to a scholarship fund for military families. Learn more (and order) the book on Anthony’s website.
General Manager News and Notes:
Lyons
We hinted above at JENNIFER LYONS new role as a Regional GM for CBS. She’ll continue to oversee WBBM-TV in Chicago and will now have that same responsibility for WWJ-TV in Detroit. More details here.
Nexstar named new GMs for two of stations, WHNT-TV in Huntsville and KLBK-TV in Lubbock. Both come from sales backgrounds.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 28, 2024:
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
WXTV 500 Frank W Burr Blvd Ste 6. Teaneck, NJ 07666
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington, DC 20016
WXYZ-TV 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, Michigan 48075
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
Spectrum News Texas (based in Austin, TX)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64112 (Station Mgr. & ND)
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WJAR-TV 23 Kenney Drive Cranston, RI 02920
WATN-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KATV 10 Turtle Creek Lane Little Rock, AR 72202
WKEF/WRGT-TV 2245 Corporate Place Miamisburg, OH 45342
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KATC-TV, 1103 Eraste Landry Road in Lafayette, LA 70506
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KWES-TV 11320 West County Rd. 127. Odessa, TX, 79765
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
KPAX-TV 1049 West Central Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Ave N., Billings, MT 59101
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
**: Spanish language station