November 10, 2012
Thursday, November 10, 2012 UPDATE:
News today of an ND change that results in TWO openings in the same top 30 market, and THREE openings within the same company.
Finch
KEVIN FINCH has left WRTV, the Scripps owned ABC affiliate here in Indianapolis. He’s been the ND there since April, 2011. Kevin previously worked for two other Indianapolis stations, as ND for WISH-TV and as a producer and EP/special projects for WTHR-TV. He’s also worked in Champaign, IL.
His replacement will be the sixth news director in about nine years for WRTV.
This means there are openings here in Indianapolis at both WRTV and WISH-TV, and it’s the third ND opening in Scripps, with opportunities at both KNXV-TV in Phoenix and KSHB-TV in Kansas City.
We’ll have more in our full newsletter later this week.
Greetings:
Hard to know what’s going on out there, but our list of open ND positions drops to a near-record low of 21 positions. (My records aren’t great, but I know it’s been in the high teens in the past.)
That’s because we have THREE new hires to report this week, with NO new openings. But we’ll tell you about one station which is stepping up the search for a new ND.
We have a new ad for an opportunity at The Weather Channel, as well as repeating an ad for an open ND job in the midwest and two EP openings in Florida.
We have an obit for the mother of a longtime ND, the retirement of a longtime Los Angeles newsman, and a few other items in Names in the News.
That…and more…is below.
Kinda-Sorta New News Director Openings:
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV…while technically not a new opening, VP/News BOB STOLDAL tells me he is stepping up the search and asks that anyone who applied to resubmit their application. He hopes to have the position filled by February.
Newly Named News Directors:
Sabato
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL…STEVE SABATO returns to a newsroom as ND for this Caulkins Media owned ABC affiliate (listed in the Tampa market.) Steve’s a former ND in Nashville, Hartford, Louisville, and for WWJ-TV in Detroit (though, if memory serves, the news department never actually got a newscast on the air before CBS pulled the plug). He’s also been a GM in Flint/Saginaw, and has operated his consulting firm for the past few years. Steve replaces GENE ROSS who left the station in September after two years as ND.
Maulden
KOLR/KOZL-TV, Springfield, MO…CHUCK MAULDEN will be the next ND for this duopoly. He most recently spent five years as the ND for Gannett’s KTHV-TV in Little Rock. Chuck previously worked (for ten years) as Director of News Operations for Gannett’s KSDK-TV in St. Louis, and has also worked in Birmingham, Kalamazoo, and Jonesboro, AR. His predecessor at KOLR was POLLY VAN DOREN-ORR who left a few months ago to become ND for WKBW-TV in Buffalo, ND, after 14 years as ND.
Weimer
WAGM-TV, Presque Isle, ME…CHRIS WEIMER is assuming additional duties as news director for this CBS/FOX operation. He currently anchors the evening shows. Chris began at the station in 2009 as a reporter, later worked in sports, and then moved to news anchor. LAURA THOMAS, who’s been the ND there since August, 2011, just returned from maternity leave and will stay on at the station as an anchor.
Help Wanted Ads:
Director, Content Development, The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA:
The Weather Channel is looking for an experienced Director, Content Development. This position will oversee daily content development for Live Programming, as well as oversee the execution of that content throughout all shows within Live Programming. The ideal candidate will ensure overall execution of content mission and will work with other managers to create the overall content strategy. Will oversee tactical editorial operations while ensuring the highest levels of journalistic, legal, TV production and standards are maintained. The Director, Content Development will be responsible for supervising Executive Producers and editorial teams.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record for compelling television journalism, enterprise reporting, contemporary presentation and proficiency in multi-platform news delivery is required. Strong work ethic, positive attitude and leadership qualities with the ability to handle multiple tasks and set priorities are a must.
Candidates must have a minimum of ten years electronic news media experience with at least five years in television news as Asst. News Director, Managing Editor or Executive Producer. A B.S. Journalism, or equivalent knowledge, is required.
If you meet the above requirements, please send resume to bgoodfellow@weather.com
No Phone Calls. EOE M/F/D/V
VP News & Interactive Content, WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO:
WDAF TV FOX 4 is looking for an experienced management professional to lead our seasoned News Department. If you are a mature, collaborative and thoughtful news expert looking to work at one of the strongest FOX stations in the country, in one of the most affordable and vibrant cities in the Midwest, this may be the job for you.
Qualified candidates will have extensive management and motivational abilities. Integrity, good judgment and people skills are a must. This person must be a superb motivator and communicator in addition to being a creative news strategist.
Essential duties include: newsroom leadership, talent recruitment and retention, budget administration, personnel development, ratings strategy, develop-ment of social media/web and mobile platforms and local programs. The VP of news will oversee and critique daily news product and talent performance. This position is also responsible for setting and maintaining professional guidelines and standards of the news team. Superior understanding of libel laws and professional journalist’s rights and responsibilities required. Ability to interact appropriately with the public in person and through correspondence regarding news matters is required.
Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of news management experience. Excellent communication skills and strong time management skills. A commitment to community involvement, teamwork and an open honest management style is essential for success in this role.
If you meet the above requirements, please send a resume to
Kim Stripling
Administrative Assistant
WDAF-TV
3030 Summit
Kansas City MO 64108
or via email to kim.stripling@wdaftv4.com
No Phone Calls. EOE M/F/D/V
AM Executive Producer, WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL:
First Coast News, (WTLV/WJXX), the Gannett owned NBC/ABC duopoly in Jacksonville, Florida, has an immediate opening for an AM Executive Producer. This position will oversee the multi-platform content delivery newscasts, executing growth opportunities, and managing the staff. This position will be minimally supervised because the individual must be an independent-thinker, who has priority say in coverage direction and can generate and execute ideas. The incumbent must be able to communicate fluently in English in order to effectively communicate with staff and others. The candidate must have at least five (5) years professional broadcasting experience as a producer, management experience helpful; Bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications or related field, will need excellent computer skills and proficient in ENPS.
The candidate must have excellent problem solving and time management skills, news content gathering and organizational skills; good editorial judgment, knowledge of journalistic ethics and libel laws. Attention to detail, time limed processes and an accountability mindset are critical. Must be able to collect and analyze information, schedule staff, deliver performance reviews, create and develop training guides and approved planning guides. Communication skills in order to take a lead role in editorial meetings, meet with staff and others involved in the production of news. Must be able to post content and video online, must be able to work effectively under pressure & meet deadlines. Must have experience with creative social media execution on digital and on air platforms. Must be able to plan big events and breaking news with clear social media goals in mind.
Please send your resume and cover letter to klwilliams@firstcoastnews.com or via mail to:
Kathy Williams
News Director
First Coast News
1070 East Adams Street
Jacksonville FL 32202
Nightside Executive Producer, WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL:
First Coast News is seeking a visionary news leader who understands rich, unique, local news content on multiple platforms, embraces social media and can lead for the future in an experienced newsroom. The successful candidate “gets” the First For You brand and will share in moving it forward to the next level of community service and success. Must have experience with creative social media execution on digital and on air platforms. Must be able to plan big events and breaking news with clear social media goals in mind.
Requirements:
The successful candidate must have at least 5 years mid to major market producing experience, be an expert at helping drive great content in newscasts and on digital properties around the clock, including but not limited to:
Breaking news coverage, newscast production/review, anchor and report guidance/script review, and photojournalist evaluation.
Must be a team player dedicated to continuous improvement, staff engagement and driven to perform at a superior level.
Excellent news judgment, writing, newscast production and organizational skills required.
Video editing a plus.
Please send your resume and cover letter to klwilliams@firstcoastnews.com or via mail to:
Kathy Williams
News Director
First Coast News
1070 East Adams Street
Jacksonville FL 32202
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 10/28/12)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 9/22/12)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 9/14/12)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (listed 9/1/12)
WLNE-TV, Providence, RI (listed 9/14/12)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted 9/14/12)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (listed 9/22/12)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/22/12)
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 9/14/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 9/14/12)
KTVT-TV, Dallas, TX (EP of Special Projects/Investigations, listed 9/14/12)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (Nightside EP, listing modified 11/3/12)
WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, listed 10/5/12)
WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL (AM EP, listing modified this week)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (Senior EP, listed 10/5/12)
KPTV/KPDX-TV, Portland, OR (Nightside EP, relisted 9/30/12)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 9/1/12)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (AM EP, listed 9/22/12)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 9/14/12)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (TV Content Mgr., listed 10/19/12)
KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK (PM EP, listed 9/30/12)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM & PM EPs, relisted 10/19/12)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted 9/9/12)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (2 openings, listed 11/3/12, see ads above)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, listing revised 9/14/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 9/14/12)
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV (Morning EP, relisted 10/19/12)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 9/14/12)
KTVT-TV, Dallas, TX (listed 9/14/12)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/28/12)
Situations Wanted:
No talers this week on our free Situations Wanted listings. 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.
Obituary:
BETTY JEAN SMITH, mother of WCYB-TV (Bristol, VA) News Director KEN SMITH, died November 1st at the age of 78. Ken tells me doctors found lung cancer during tests before heart surgery in July. Ken’s been ND at WCYB since May, 2011. He started the news department at WZTV in Nashville, and spent nine years there. Ken’s also worked for three other Nashville stations, and in Cincinnati, Greensboro, NC, Shreveport, and Knoxville. He was also ND for the Health Network in Orlando. Ken’s email address is ksmith@wcyb.com
Names in the News:
Longtime KTTV (Los Angeles) Managing Editor LARRY CRONER has announced his retirement effective next month. He first joined the station in 1990 as a producer, and was upped to Managing Editor in 1993.
Former consultant and news director BILL TAYLOR won re-election to a state house seat in South Carolina. He was unopposed.
The University of Missouri’s REYNOLDS JOURNALISM INSTITUTE announced a $30 million dollar grant this week from the Reynolds Foundation. The Institute is devoted to innovation, collaboration and research in media industries. The Foundation was formed after the 1993 death of DON REYNOLDS who founded the Donrey Media Group.
Collins
One project at RJI is being headed by Missouri’s Radio-Television Journalism Faculty Chairman KENT COLLINS. Kent’s working with KETC-TV, the PBS station in St. Louis, to produce a new style of public affairs journalism with a heavy dose of social media. Learn more about the project in this story from the RJI website.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, November 10, 2012.
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
WTXF-TV 330 Market St. Philadelphia PA 19106
KNXV-TV 515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AX 85013
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave. Cleveland OH 44114
WPXI-TV 4145 Evergreen Road Pittsburgh PA 15214
WISH-TV 1950 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46202
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108 (see ad above!)
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510
KTHV-TV 720 Izard St. Little Rock 72201
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
WMTV 615 Forward Dr. Madison WI 53711
KHGI-TV 13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KBOI-TV 140 N. 16th St. Boise ID 83702
KION/KCOY 1550 Moffett St. Salinas CA 93905
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843
KSWT-TV 1301 Third Ave Yuma AZ 85364
KFBB-TV P.O. Box 1139 Great Falls, MT 59403