March 18, 2018
Thursday, March 22, 2018 UPDATE #2:
If it’s the second UPDATE of the same day, you know it’s a big story.
You be the judge.
Kiernan
JEFF KIERNAN is returning to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee as Senior Director of Local Content. (You and I might call that news director.) The full story is here.
As you know, Jeff is currently the news director for WBBM-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Chicago…a job he’s held since 2009. But his first ND job was at WTMJ. And he’s a graduate of Milwaukee’s Marquette University.
After leaving WTMJ in 2003, he spent four years as ND for CBS’s WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, just less than two years as CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston, before moving to Chicago nine years ago. (Jeff is from the greater Chicago area.)
Of note…his GM at WBBM, MARTY WILKE, surprised many by announcing her retirement last week. Her last day is tomorrow.
At WTMJ, Jeff replaces JANET HUNDLEY who left this Scripps owned NBC affiliate at the end of 2017.
A really full newsletter awaits you this weekend!
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Thursday, March 22, 2018 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another day, another news director moving to the GM chair.
Neves
Today it’s DANA NEVES, the long time (well, at least since 2006) news director for Meredith’s WFSB-TV (CBS) in Hartford. Here’s the news release with more details.
Ever heard the phrase: “Be nice to the intern. You might end up working for him/her.”?
True in this case…Dana began at the station as an intern in 1995, and worked her way up to assignment manager, managing editor and assistant news director before being named ND 12 years ago.
Dana replaces KLARN DePALMA who was promoted to Executive Vice President of MNI Targeted Media.
As you know from yesterday’s UPDATE, it’s been a busy week. We’ll recap these items…and many more…in our full report this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Lots of activity today.
Minnaugh
The largest market news involves WFLA-TV’s (Nexstar/NBC) ND job in Tampa, which will be filled by RYAN MINNAUGH, currently ND for Tribune’s WTKR-TV in Norfolk. And guess who his GM was at WTKR? Why, it was SKIP VALET, now GM at WFLA. Here’s the news release.
Ryan’s been ND at WTKR for three years, and has also worked in Cleveland, Denver, Indianapolis, and CNBC. He’s replacing longtime ND BILL BERRA who is retiring next week.
Congratulations to a news director moving into a GM chair.
Weeks
WLBT/WDBD-TV (Jackson, MS) ND HATTON WEEKS returns to KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR as GM. He was the ND at KAIT for eight years before moving to Jackson three years ago. Here’s the staff memo. Both stations are owned by Raycom Media.
Quick hits:
Speaking of Raycom, LEE MEREDITH, GM of the company’s WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, has announced his retirement, as has SUSAN McELDOON, GM for Tegna’s KHOU-TV in Houston. Both stations are CBS affiliates.
Edwards
The long expected departure of CAMILLE EDWARDS as ND for WABC-TV in New York finally happened. More here.
WHAS-TV in Louisville is advertising for a new news director. DAVID SEALLS had been the ND for this Tegna owned ABC affiliate for almost four years.
Head
PASCALE HEAD has been promoted to news director for WJAX/WFOX-TV in Jacksonville, FL. That’s the Cox Media owned CBS/FOX duopoly there.
Bradshaw
And veteran ND ADAM BRADSHAW heads to KFDX/KJTL-TV (Nexstar) in Wichita Fallas, TX, as ND.
More on all these stories (and much more) in our full report later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
I hope that your NCAA Bracket is in better shape than mine, though, given some of the upsets, I’m guessing that no one’s bracket is in great shape.
In better shape (REALLY stretching here) is this week’s newsletter, with TWO new news director openings, bringing our count of open jobs to 28. (To my knowledge, there were NO news directors hired this week….please let me know if I’ve missed anything.)
THREE of those openings are among our SEVEN paid help wanted ads this week, along with ads for a corporate news position at a major broadcaster and THREE ads for news management openings in a variety of market sizes.
There are TWO obituaries for longtime broadcasters, including one who spent almost 50 years working in Atlanta. Just ONE Name in the News, though we have details on the retirement of TWO General Managers (one a longtime newsman), and details about the appointment of a new GM in Las Vegas.
Newly Named News Directors:
To the best of my knowledge, there were NO news directors hired this week.
There will be at least ONE named in the week ahead, and we’ll have that for your in our next full newsletter next weekend.
New News Director Openings:
Picken
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL…SCOTT PICKEN has resigned as news director for this Nexstar/Mission Broadcasting ABC/FOX operation. He’s been the ND here since September, 2012. He’s been a News Director in Rockford (twice), Boise, ID twice, Cedar Rapids, IA, Omaha, NE and Honolulu, HI, and has also worked in Kansas City and Green Bay.
Greg S.
KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID…GREG SCHIEFERSTEIN has left this NBC affiliate (owned by Idaho Broadcast Partners) after not quite two years on the job, his second time as ND here. Greg’s also been a news director in Peoria, Augusta, GA, and Missoula, MT and has worked in Seattle, Toledo and Rockford, IL.
Please note there are ads for THREE news director openings in our Paid Help Wanted Ads section below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA:
WFXR, WWCW and VirginiaFirst.com in Roanoke-Lynchburg, Virginia (Market 70) is seeking an experienced News Director who is an innovative and dynamic leader, possessing excellent news judgment, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to be the best.
The market has great local diversity with healthcare, education, agriculture and tourism all playing significant roles in the economy. Our community hosts and is surrounded by over 20 institutions of higher learning that range from renowned liberal arts colleges to Virginia Tech. In addition, the market is an outdoors and sports enthusiasts dream come true. Nestled just south of Skyline Drive, 3 hours from Washington DC in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains this area offers a fantastic quality of life for all.
We are seeking a leader with a proven track record of team, product, content and community growth leading to ratings growth.
Click here to learn more about the requirements for this position.
This is a tremendous opportunity to join one of the fastest growing broadcast and digital companies in the industry while leading the successful growth of a talented team of journalists.
Interested candidates apply by sending email to mtaylor@virginiafirst.com and by completing our online application which is here.
WFXR WWCW and Nexstar Broadcasting Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
News Director, WETM-TV, Elmira, NY:
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. is looking for a News Director with a history of success to lead its broadcast and digital news operation in Elmira, NY.
This is an opportunity to lead a very dominant news station in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. WETM-18 is the market leader, consistently producing 80 shares in news. In addition to our downtown Elmira main studio, we have a satellite studio in downtown Corning. We host congressional and state senate debates, as well as numerous other local projects throughout the year. We are not satisfied with an 80% share, and we continue to work aggressively to grow our audience share and length of viewing, as well as driving growth to our website, the top media website in the region, www.mytwintiers.com.
This position requires someone who is aggressive and excited about local news on-air and online, is out to win and will not accept any other option, is adept at leading and inspiring others to perform — and someone who is extremely organized to manage the myriad details required to keep the team organized and focused, to manage budget, and to ensure station compliance with rules and regulations applicable to FCC, local, state and federal laws.
If you are interested please forward your resume and a short biography regarding your professional history to Marci Daniels, VP and General Manager, Nexstar Broadcasting, 101 E. Water St., Elmira, NY 14901, or email to marcidaniels@wetmtv.com.
Or Apply here!
Assistant News Director, Spectrum News, Los Angeles:
Spectrum News Los Angeles is looking for an Assistant News Director to be responsible for planning, development and production of all news programming, and provide day-to-day management of the newsroom; Participates in coordinating coverage of major stories, breaking news and specials; Guides the development of coverage plans, including anticipating special news or sports events, ensuring comprehensive, well-rounded coverage.
Spectrum Networks is looking for passionate, talented and driven individuals with an eagerness to join the best and most dedicated in gathering, producing and delivering stories that make a difference within a 24-hour breaking news environment. Our commitment is to engage viewers with relevant and timely news that is important to the local communities we serve.
Spectrum Networks is a growing organization, home of 27 Local News Channels nationwide and 9 Local/Regional Sports Channels, inclusive of 3 Los Angeles based Sports Networks. Spectrum Networks is the news and sports division of Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR), the leading broadband communications company and the second-largest cable operator in the United States.
Apply online by clicking here.
Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:
Would you like to be a leader in a news operation with a commitment to excellence and the resources you need to succeed?
WRAL, the dominant television station in the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville market, is seeking a strong Morning Executive Producer to oversee the presentation and look of WRAL’s 4 ½ hours of morning news. We’re looking for a leader who will coach the producing staff, write and approve scripts, review topical and image promotion, enhance weather and traffic content, and contribute to special coverage.
The ideal candidate will find new ways of presenting digital content in our newscasts while working closely with our graphics, promotion, and news management teams. We are looking for a person with outstanding communication skills, superb news judgment who excels at breaking news and continuous coverage, and has an eye for details.
If you have a vision for graphics and a passion for memorable, creative and topnotch newscasts, this is the job for you. A proven track record demonstrating ratings growth is essential. WRAL is locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a community-oriented company that offers some of the best benefits in the business.
Requirements include five years of experience in producing newscasts, two years of news management experience and a four-year college degree.
A pre-employment drug screening is required.
All candidates must apply online.
EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free.
Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.
Morning Executive Producer, KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT:
KSTU Fox 13, the Fox affiliate in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah, is looking for a creative, dynamic and experienced broadcast journalist to oversee our top-rated morning newscast.
The morning Executive Producer must be a proven newsroom leader who knows how to win breaking news on all platforms, maintain a strong sense of urgency with our newscast production and newsroom culture, and knows how to balance serious journalism with lighter moments critical to the success of our morning news.
This position will involve training and mentoring younger journalists while also collaborating with some of the most experienced television news personalities in the market.
PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT: tribunemedia.com/careers and enter job #2018-47120 under keyword search.
KSTU is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Director, Local Content Development, Nexstar Broadcasting:
Nexstar Broadcasting is seeking an accomplished news manager to help lead local content initiatives across the group and complement a dynamic Corporate Content team.
The position of Director of Local Content Development will work with our growing group of stations to advance our strong multi-platform approach by providing leadership with our broadcast news products, web and mobile content initiatives, and in social media engagement. Position will work closely with the rest of the Operations team to build on our Company’s approach to “Local” while working with our Senior Management on projects, brand development and market evaluations. Content is the key to drive “Local” and the development of group wide content initiatives to grow ratings and revenue is essential across all local markets.
At Nexstar, we have a dynamic group that believes in the quality of our local product. We’re looking for someone who understands local television and how to be successful at it and is not afraid to get it done.
If you are looking for a job that doesn’t involve travel, this is not the job for you. Ideal candidate should have at minimum 5 years of News Management experience.
To apply, just click here.
News Director, KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID:
KMVT is the dominant news source for Twin Falls, Central Idaho and the Wood River Valley. Twin Falls offers great scenic views and diverse recreation opportunities. Year-round in Idaho brings the opportunity for outdoor sports, and our station is close to World Class skiing, fishing, biking, hiking and kayaking.
KMVT, the premiere CBS, FOX and CW Affiliates in Twin Falls, Idaho seeks a news leader who loves news, loves to teach, loves to produce and loves to innovate. Must have a strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, understand sound journalistic principles, oversee all content gathering and presentation in a visual and viewer-oriented storytelling style.
The News Director is responsible for planning big event coverage such as elections, parades, and rodeos, as well as daily duties for the MMJ team, those duties include:
* The management of editorial flow, assigning MMJs, photojournalists, for daily coverage.
* Supervise and schedule personnel.
* Review content on all platforms for journalistic balance.
* Participate with station staff in the development of local issue and event coverage plans.
* Work closely with the staff to distribute content on all platforms.
* Knowledge and proficiency in posting content to websites and social media.
* Knowledge and proficiency in the use of social media to enhance newsgathering and customer engagement.
Applicants should have at least 2 years of newsroom management experience, and a 4-year college degree is preferred.
Click here to apply.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
Spectrum News, Los Angeles, CA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted this week)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (relisted 1/28/18)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (relisted this week)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/21/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, relisted 1/21/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 1/21/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (2 openings, AM & PM, listed 3/11/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 1/21/18)
Obituaries:
Franklin
Longtime Atlanta newsman GARY FRANKLIN died Wednesday at the age of 75. He’d been battling lung cancer. In a career that ranged about 50 years, much of it spent with WXIA-TV, Gary held a variety of positions, ranging from writer to photographer to reporter to producer. When he retired from WXIA in 2016, he was the station’s overnight assignment editor. The station remembered him in this story.
Loewen
RON LOEWEN died (also on Wednesday) at the age of 70. His TV career began at KAKE-TV in Wichita where he held a variety of positions, including in house legal counsel, news director, and station manager. He later joined Cosmos Broadcasting (later Liberty Broadcasting) as a GM in Lake Charles and Columbia, SC. Ron then moved to corporate, then President of Liberty Life Insurance, before returning to broadcasting. He also worked at KRON-TV in San Francisco. (Personal note: Ron was one of the smartest and funniest people I knew.) More about his life and accomplishments in this obituary.
Names in the News (and other items):
Williams
APRIL WILLIAMS, a veteran of the Washington market, joins her FIFTH DC news operation as she becomes executive producer at Fox o-and-o WTTG-TV. She’d spent the last ten years at WRC-TV, the NBC o-and-o there, most recently as Senior Producer. April has also worked at WUSA-TV, WJLA-TV, and NewsChannel 8, as well as in Raleigh and Boston.
General Manager News and Notes:
Wilke
MARTY WILKE surprised many with her announcement this week that she’d be retiring as General Manager of CBS o-and-o WBBM-TV in Chicago. Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER has more. Marty’s last day will be next Friday. She spent six years as GM of WBBM, and 16 years at Chicago’s WGN-TV, the last four as GM before moving across town to WBBM.
Stutz
News director turned corporate executive turned GM MIKE STUTZ is retiring as GM of News Press and Gazette’s operations in Palm Springs, CA. With one click here, you can read both Mike’s note to the staff and the email from corporate to the troops. Mike first joined NPG as Director of News and was promoted to GM in 2011. He’s been an ND in San Diego and Jacksonville, FL, and worked in Denver, St. Louis and Milwaukee. One of the good guys in the business, you can wish him well via an email to: michael_stutz@cox.net
LARRY STRUMWASSER will be the new general manager for Sinclair’s KSNV/KCVW-TV (NBC and CW) is Las Vegas. He’s been the GM for Sinclair’s Milwaukee duopoly, and replaces AUDRA SWAIN who left last September to become GM for CBS’s WJZ-TV in Baltimore.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 18, 2018:
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
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Drive. Dedham, MA 02026
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WFLA-TV 200 S. Parker St. Tampa FL 33606
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTMJ-TV 720 E Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WJAX/WFOX 11700 Central Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32224
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019 (see ad above!)
WNEM-TV 107 N. Franklin St. Saginaw, MI 48607
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
WTVO/WQRF-TV P.O. Box 470 Rockford, IL 61105
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901 (see ad above!)
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301 (see ad above!)
**: Spanish language station