May 2, 2021
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A Sinclair promotion sends a Utah news director across country to a new job.
Garber
MIKE GARBER is leaving KUTV in Salt Lake City to become Director of Content for Sinclair’s “The National Desk” in Washington. That operation produces newscasts for stations that don’t have a news department. Mike will oversee the five hour program now being produced, as well as an evening expansion scheduled for later this year.
Here’s the note from KUTV GM KENT CRAWFORD to the staff. And Mike shared this with me via email:
“I am very excited to make this pivot in my career to serve a national audience. We have truly enjoyed Salt Lake and its beauty. The National Desk has endless possibilities and I look forward to exploring all of them while also getting us closer to family.”
Mike’s been the ND at KUTV for just over four years, He’s been an ND in Dallas, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, FL, and Columbia, SC. He began his career as a sports producer for stations in Tampa and San Francisco.
It’s been a busy week and we’ll recap it all in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, May 3, 2021 UPDATE #2:
Greetings:
There’s a new news director today at a CBS owned station in Miami.
Cavanaugh
KERRI CAVANAUGH, a former news director who’s been working as a consultant for Magid since October, 2018, will be the next news director for CBS’s WFOR-TV in Miami. Here’s the news release from the company.
Kerri returned to her home state of Florida when she joined Magid, leaving WTTV/WXIN-TV (CBS/FOX) here in Indianapolis. During her time there, WTTV gained the CBS affiliation and she led the effort that launched a new team in fewer than five months while working inside the existing WXIN building.
She’s also been an ND in Grand Rapids, MI (WXMI-TV/FOX) and for WSFL-TV in Ft. Lauderdale. Kerri’s also worked in Tampa and West Palm Beach.
At WFOR, she succeeds LIZ ROLDAN who left in December to become ND for KHOU-TV (CBS) in Houston. Kerri’s hire will lighten the load on TIM WIELAND, ND for sister CBS o-and-o in Denver, who’s been filling in as interim ND for WFOR since Liz left.
Stay tuned!
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, May 3, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another consolidation this morning as Gray Television buys all of Meredith’s television stations. Here’s the announcement from Meredith and here’s the release from Gray.
Gray will have to divest one station…and says it will sell WJRT-TV (ABC) in Flint/Saginaw. It will hold onto Meredith’s WNEM-TV (CBS)
Meredith will concentrate on its magazines.
More later!
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
The number of open ND Jobs continues to grow, reaching 36 openings this week after FIVE more jobs opened up. And we have TWO new news directors to tell you about, both a result of promotions within the new ND’s current company.
THREE of those 36 openings are among our FOUR Paid Help Wanted ads.
Otherwise it was a slow week, with ONE obituary to share (a former St. Louis news director). There are just TWO items in Names in the News, and no news about GMs on the move.
I suspect we’ll have more items in next week’s edition.
Newly Named News Directors:
Aslam
WABC-TV, New York, NY…Thursday’s UPDATE brought first word of REHAN ASLAM’s appointment as VP/News for this ABC o-and-o. Details here. He’s been the ND at sister ABC o-and-o KTRK-TV in Houston since September, 2019 and spent five years as the Assistant ND there before moving up. He’s also worked in Chicago and for two stations in Cleveland. Rehan replaces CHAD MATTHEWS who was promoted to GM in February.
Nygren
KYLY/KXJB-TV, Fargo, ND…RENEE NYGREN is also the benefit of a promotion as she becomes ND for the Gray TV operation. She’s a six year veteran of the station, the last four as the Assistant ND. The other beneficiary of this move is IKE WALKER, who had been both GM and ND here. He now will concentrate on the GM position. Ike joined as ND in 2014, added the GM duties in 2019, and is a former ND in Columbus, OH, and Topeka, KS.
New News Director Openings:
KTRK-TV, Houston, TX…we shared above that REHAN ASLAM has been promoted to ND for sister ABC owned WABC-TV in New York. Rehan worked here six years, first as Assistant ND before his promotion in September 2019. Interesting fact: At both WABC (CHAD MATTHEWS) and KTRK (WENDY GRANATO) he replaced news directors who were promoted to GM.
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY…this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate is starting a news department. The Paid Ad Below has all the details about this rare opportunity.
Mahon
WWTV/WWUP-TV, Cadillac, MI…SEAN MAHON has left this CBS affiliate owned by Heritage Broadcasting. Sean was working in his second stint here, first as chief photographer from 1996-2000 before working for three Detroit stations as a photographer. He returned as news director in 2016. WWTV is located in Cadillac, and WWUP is in Sault Ste. Marie, all part of the Traverse City Market.
Stepanek
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT…after almost 28 years as news director here, JON STEPANEK is leaving this Scripps owned CBS affiliate. Jon told me tonight that he’ll be joining a marketing company run by a former colleague this July. Jon was also news director at WDAZ-TV in Grand Forks, ND, and began his career in in radio as a news and sports director in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Wagner
KSAN/KLST-TV, San Angelo, TX…this Nexstar operation has a posting online for a new news director. My records shows that DAVID WAGNER has been the ND here for more than ten years and had anchored at the station before leaving for a fund raising job. Nexstar owns KLST and operates Mission Broadcasting owned KSAN under a shared services agreement.
And while it’s not a new opening, check out the Paid Help Wanted Ad below for the opening at KETK-TV in Tyler, TX/
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY:
Ever dreamed of building your own news department from the first hire up?Well, stop dreaming and get ready for the opportunity of a lifetime!
Fox 56 in Lexington, Kentucky, has an immediate opening for an experienced News Director who will help us launch full blown news. We’re talking new set, all new technology… the works!
This is a rare opportunity for a News Director who possesses a passion for local news with network level standards. The ideal candidate will be an expert recruiter, a visionary, and a problem-solver. This job will require someone who is detail-oriented but also can look ahead.
If you love BREAKING NEWS & WEATHER, digital, and a challenge- this might be the best ad you’ve ever read.
News Director, KETK-TV, Tyler, TX:
Heads up! Exceptional opportunity alert!
KETK in Tyler, Texas has an immediate opening for a News Director. Join the LARGEST TV ownership group in the country- #NexstarNation – in the Lone Star state (Market 110.)
The last News Director is moving to a news director’s job at a Top 20 station in the company. Not too shabby.
The ideal candidate will be a dynamic coach and leader who loves to collaborate with the team. We are all about local news. We tell the stories that matter to our viewers, keep them safe, and are always up for a good football game.
If you love the idea of belonging to a community, rather than just covering it – this could be the exact job you are looking for…
News Director, WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL:
#NexstarNation has an immediate opening for an experienced News Director at WHBF TV in Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities) in market #103.
This is an incredible opportunity to join the largest TV ownership group in the country. The ideal candidate is a coach and mentor who loves to serve the local community with impactful and compelling news.
The Quad Cities market is just three hours from Chicago and Des Moines, and five hours from Indianapolis. It’s home to the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic Golf Tournament, minor league baseball, breweries, farmers markets, museums, and all kinds of outdoor trails for hiking and biking.
If you love news and the Midwest- this one’s for you! Apply here:
Assistant News Director, KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN:
KTTC, the dominant NBC affiliate in Rochester, Minnesota has an immediate opening for an Assistant News Director.
Rochester is a beautiful city in southeast Minnesota, home to the Mayo Clinic and consistently ranked one of America’s best places to live.
Don’t believe that? Then check this out.
We are seeking an energetic, news leader who thinks outside the box and excels at driving coverage in breaking news and weather coverage situations. The ideal candidate is someone thriving in their current role and eager for the opportunity to help manage a great team of talented Journalists.
The Assistant News Director should understand the importance of our digital platforms and assist in driving coverage on those platforms. We have a modern studio and all the tools and toys to produce award winning newscasts. Our team is looking for someone who can utilize our equipment and technology to its fullest and teach and train other team members to excel on all levels.
If you want to live in a beautiful city, just down the road from Minneapolis, at a great station with a super team, what are you waiting for?
Email your resume to mgors@kttc.com or via mail to:
Michele Gors
News Director
KTTC Television
6301 Bandel Rd. NW
Rochester, MN/55901
Please no phone calls. KTTC is an EEO employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 4/4/21)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (listed 4/25/21)
WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 4/18/21)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 3/28/21)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 4/25/21, see ad above!)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 4/18/21)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Special Proj./Investigations, revised 3/21/21)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 3/7/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listing revised this week)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 3/28/21)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 3/28/21)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (Lifestyle show, listed 3/7/21)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 4/18/21)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (Digital EP, listed 3/28/21)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 3/14/21)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (relisted 3/28/21)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (new listing this week)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Digital EP, listed 4/11/21)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (new listing this week)
KTAL-TV, Shreveport, LA (relisted 3/21/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 4/18/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 4/25/21)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (new listing this week)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, listing revised 3/28/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 3/14/21)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 4/11/21)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 2/28/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 4/18/21)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 4/25/21:
Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content
Listed 4/18/21:
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (Digital Content Director)
Listed 3/28/21:
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL. (Digital Content Manager)
Obituary:
Brady
JAMES BRADY, who was the first news director at KTVI-TV in St. Louis, died Saturday, April 24th, at the age of 90. After leaving KTVI, he went on to a long career as news operations manager for powerhouse St. Louis radio station KMOX-AM. He later worked in public relations for the St. Louis County Police Department and as a loaned executive for United Way. More details about his life (and love of golf) are here.
Names in the News:
In case you missed it, Allen Media Broadcasting is spending 380 million dollars to buy a numbers of stations as part of the Gray TV acquisition of Quincy Media. Details here.
Stimson
Congratulations to longtime KCRA-TV (Sacramento) Assistant News Director JIM STIMSON who’s been awarded the Governors’ Citation from the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of NATAS. He’s been at this Hearst owned NBC affiliate for 46 years! Details about his career and the award in this story from the KCRA website.
General Manager News and Notes:
No news about GM movement this week, to the best of my knowledge. If I’ve missed something, please send me an email: rick@rickgevers.com
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, May 2, 2021:
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
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
WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th Street New York, NY 10019
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017
News Nation 2501 West Bradley Place Chicago, IL 60618
KTRK-TV 3310 Bissonnet Houston TX 77005
KNXV-TV 515 North 44th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008
KING/KONG-TV 1501 1st Ave. South Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98134
KOMO-TV 140 4th Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
WFOR-TV 8900 NW 18th Terrace, Doral FL 33172
WBFF/WNUV-TV 2000 W 41st Street Baltimore, MD 21211
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WVIT-TV 1422 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WKRG-TV 555 Broadcast Dr. Mobile, AL 36606
WDKY-TV 836 Euclid Ave. #201 Lexington, KY 40502 (see ad above!)
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd. Charleston, WV 25301
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens Street, Suite 600 Columbia, SC 29201
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Road McAllen TX 78501 **
WHBF-TV 231 18th Street Rock Island, IL 61201 (see ad above!)
WFXG-TV 3933 Washington Road Augusta, GA 30907
KETK-TV 4300 Richmond Rd, Tyler, TX 75703 (see ad above!)
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Macon, GA, 31201
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627. Cadillac Michigan 49601
KIII-TV 5002 South Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi TX 78411
WKBT-TV 141 South 6th Street La Crosse, WI 54601
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave. Duluth MN 55802
WDIO-TV 10 Observation Road Duluth, MN 55811
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KOSA-TV 4101 E 42nd St. Ste 107 Odessa, TX 79762
KTXS-TV 4420 N. Clack Abilene, TX 79602
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Road. Bowling Green, KY 42101
KSAN/KSLT-TV 2800 Armstrong St., San Angelo, TX 76903
**: Spanish language station