November 28, 2021
Monday, November 29, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Linton
As is often its custom, Hearst wasted little time filling an open ND job, and, as is often the case, from within the company.
STEPHANIE LINTON will make the trek up I-95 to Orlando where she will be the next news director for WESH-TV (NBC). She’s been the ND for the company’s WPBF-TV (ABC) in West Palm Beach since early 2019. More details in this news release from the station. Stephanie’s also worked in San Francisco, Miami and Charlotte.
At WESH, Stephanie replaces KIRSTEN WOLFF who left to become the next ND for NBC’s WBTS-TV in Boston. Kirsten was ND at WESH for eight years and worked there for 15, part of a 33 year career with Hearst.
We’ll see you next weekend for our full report.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
There was more activity in a holiday shortened week that I expected, with FIVE new news directors named and TWO new openings.
That leaves our always unofficial list of open jobs at 39 stations.
ONE of those 39 is among our FOUR paid ads this week. There are TWO ads for jobs in stations in top 25 markets. while the other is for a faculty position at Syracuse University.
Just ONE GM change this week, that at a Gray station in Ohio.
In Names in the News, a new assistant news director in New York City, a new EP in Los Angeles, a Houston news manager (and three time former ND) changes stations, and there’s a new EP in a Florida newsroom.
Hope your Thanksgiving was better than a remarkable sports weekend here in Indy. Went to all three of these games, all of them losses for the home team. đ
Wednesday:
Pacers vs. Lakers and Lebron James (2020 NBA Champs)
Lakers won in OT.
Sunday:
Colts vs. Buccaneers and Tom Brady (2021 Super Bowl Champs)
Colts blew a 24-14 lead, lost on a Tampa TD with :29 left.
Pacers vs Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021 NBA Champs)
Bucks won by 18. We left early.
Hope your team(s) did better. Have a great week.
Newly Named News Directors:
Smith
WTTW-TV, Chicago, IL…he started at the station as a production assistant, and now, 32 years later, he’s the news director. That’s the story of JAY SMITH who was named ND for this public station this week. Chicago media writer ROBERT FEDER has more in this story. Jay replaces HUGO BALTA who left the station in February in a dispute over some of his social media posts.
Tang
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI…STANTON TANG returns to West Michigan as ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. He’s a former ND at WZZM-TV (Tegna/ABC) in Grand Rapids who has been ND for Gray’s KOLO-TV (ABC) in Reno for 7+ years, ending a revolving door there (eight NDs in the previous 12 years). He’s also worked in Phoenix, Sacramento, and Las Vegas and replaces DAN BOERS, who left in June to cross the street to become ND for Scripps’ WXMI-TV (FOX).
Laughrin
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI…JOHN LAUGHRIN is on the move…but not moving, as he moves across town to take over the newsroom for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. John was ND for Scripps’ WGBA-TV (NBC) for 2 1/2 years before leaving last month. John replaces DAVID LEE who left last month for a job with Cascade Public Media in Seattle.
Miller
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL…ANDY MILLER also has a new job but he’ll still report to the same place. He’s returning to his former job as ND for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate, a job he held for eleven years until he was named Director of Local Content Development for Nexstar in 2016. That position was recently eliminated. He replaces RICH FLESCH who left in June after 5 1/2 years as ND.
Young
KBAK/KBFX-TV, Bakersfield, CA…congratulations to DIONNE YOUNG who gets her first news director job at this Sinclair owned CBS/FOX duopoly. She’s been an EP there since joining the station in 2018, and has also worked in Atlanta and South Bend. More in the station’s news release. Dionne served as the interim news director after JEFF LENK left the station in October. Jeff was ND there for 5 1/2 years and worked a total of 14 years at the station.
New News Director Openings:
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV…you learned above that STANTON TANG is leaving this Gray owned ABC affiliate after 7 1/2 years. He’s going back to West Michigan as ND for Nexstar’s WOOD-TV (NBC) in Grand Rapids.
Van Slyke
KAPP-KVEW-,TV Yakima, WA/Kennewick, WA…MATT VAN SLYKE is leaving this Morgan Murphy owned duopoly (both ABC) for a new job at a tech PR agency. He was here for just over three years, was an Assistant ND at KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo and has worked in San Francisco (two stations), Seattle and Sacramento. Learn more about this opening in the Paid Help Wanted Ad below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KAPP-KVEW-TV, Yakima, WA/Kennewick, WA:
Ready to lead a newsroom that values people-powered journalism and community impact?
KAPP-KVEW TV, the local ABC affiliate in the Yakima/Tri Cities market of Washington state, is seeking an experienced and innovative News Director to lead our news team in overseeing all aspects of daily news operation including developing quality multi-platform content for coverage of our local communities.
Yakima, WA and Kennewick, WA are ideal markets for new journalists to launch their careers, so you must have the ability to lead, coach, motivate and develop the news team while fostering an environment of creativity, teamwork, and high ethical standards.
The Tri-Cities is a booming metropolitan area in southeast WA where the sun shines 300 days of the year! Tri-Cities offers amazing outdoor views, cultural diversity and is known as the âHeart of Washington Wine Country.â
We are a family-owned, people-first newsroom. Our community is at the core of what we do and who we are, and we believe it is our duty to inform and inspire.
For a full description of the job and application instructions, click here.
Assistant News Director, WXIN-WTTV, Indianapolis, IN:
WXIN-TV/WTTV-TV, the Nexstar-owned stations and #1 newsroom in Indianapolis is searching for its next Assistant News Director.
Are you ready to help lead a newsroom of more than 150 hard-working journalists as we produce nearly 100 hours of weekly local programming for two affiliates? If the answer is yes, apply now!
FOX59 and CBS4 lead the market in news, sports, investigations and community involvement and you could be a part of that continued success.
Indianapolis is a great city in which to live and work. It is the state capital and host to some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the Indianapolis 500.
If you are a strong leader who excels during the big story, this is the job for you. Here is the link to apply:
Executive Producer, Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC:
Are you ready to make a change in your career and join a news organization that values true storytelling and quality content? Ready to showcase your leadership skills in a fantastic, fast-growing market?
Spectrum News currently has an Executive Producer opening in our Charlotte Newsroom and weâre hiring immediately.
Click the link for specificsâbut we want Journalists who believe in what we are all about. We are looking for someone with 5+ years of management experience who excels at leading and coaching a multi-generational workforce.
Weâre innovative. Weâre growing. Weâre different.
If you havenât yet considered Spectrum Networks for your next jobânow is the time!
Questions? Email Mike.bothwell@charter.com
Assistant Professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY:
Youâve made your mark in journalism. Well done! Now you have the chance to train the next generation of journalists!
Syracuse Universityâs S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications seeks a tenure-track professor to teach students in one of the preeminent Broadcast & Digital Journalism programs in the country.
This full-time position will support the Newhouse Schoolâs goal of producing highly-skilled and ethical journalists who can work across multiple platforms in different roles for both traditional and innovative news organizations. Teaching students how to report on diverse communities is also a priority of the Newhouse School.
Candidates who can also demonstrate experience managing other journalists working across multiple platforms are especially encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will demonstrate an enthusiasm and aptitude for teaching, whether through prior teaching experience or similar professional roles mentoring/supervising young journalists. They will also demonstrate their potential to bring national visibility to the school through academic scholarship and/or creative activity.
For the full description and online application instructions, click here.
Review of applications will start at the priority deadline of December 3, 2021. The position is open until filled. Applications from women and minority candidates are especially encouraged. Syracuse University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, listed 10/24/21)
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/3/21)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 10/24/21)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21, see ad above!)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake, UT (11/7/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 10/24/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 10/3/21)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 10/24/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 10/3/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Morning EP, relisted 10/31/21)
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 10/10/21)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/26/21)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (EP, Lifestyle Show, listed 10/3/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21, see ad above!)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/10/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/3/21)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 10/10/21)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listed 10/3/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted this week)
WDSU-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 9/12/21)
WGNO/WNOL-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 10/10/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/21/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted this week)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, listed 10/24/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 10/24/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/24/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, listed 9/26/21)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (listed 10/3/21)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (listed 10/3/21)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)
KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR (listed 10/10/21)
More News Management Openings:
Relisted this week:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Listed 11/21/21:
Syracuse University (Assistant Professor, see ad above!)
Relisted 11/21/21:
New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Relisted 10/31/21
Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)
Listed 10/24/21:
E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Director of Community Connection and Inclusive Journalism)
Relisted 10/10/21:
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 10/3/21:
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)
Names in the News:
Lightfoot
KEVIN LIGHTFOOT joins WCBS-TV in New York as its next Assistant News Director. Here’s the memo to the staff from WCBS News Director SARAH BURKE. It’s a homecoming for Kevin, who was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. More recently, he was an EP for ABC’s KTRK-TV in Houston, and he’s also worked in Orlando (three times) and Jackson, MS (twice).
Radin
KTLA-TV, Nexstar’s CW station in Los Angeles, has filled its open morning executive producer position by hiring ROBIN RADIN. News Director PETER SAIERS told the staff about the hire via this email. Pete’s note tells some of her background, while her Linkedin page gives you the rest of the story. She’s worked for two other Los Angeles stations, for stations in San Diego and Cincinnati, but much of her career has been spent in program development and consulting.
Haldeman
Veteran newsman CHARLIE HALDEMAN is on the move, but he doesn’t have to move. He’s left Houston’s KTRK-TV (ABC owned) to become the Assistant Digital Director for Tegna’s cross-town CBS affiliate, KHOU-TV (CBS). Here’s the staff note from Digital Director RANDY KLEIN. Charlie’s a former ND in Lake Charles, LA, and Waco and Sherman, TX, who began his career in radio.
DEVIN KIDD joins WWSB-TV (Gray/ABC) in Sarasota, FL, as Executive Producer. He’s been the Assignment Manager for Allen Media’s WSIL-TV in Harrisburg, IL, but previously worked for two different stations in Orlando.
General Manager News and Notes:
Rieffer
After naming TWELVE new general managers last week, this week Gray Television filled just ONE position with the hiring of JENNIFER RIEFFER to run Gray’s FOX affiliate in Cincinnati, WXIX-TV. She’s been the GM for Sinclair’s WSMH-TV in Flint, MI, and previously ran Sinclair’s Lexington, KY, station, WDKY-TV.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 28, 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
News 12 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797
WDCW-TV 2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW #350 Washington, DC 20007
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW. Atlanta, GA 30318
KPHO/KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
WESH-TV 1021 N. Wymore Road, Winter Park, FL., 32789
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento California 95815-5008 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas, NV 89109
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WBAY-TV 115 S Jefferson St Green Bay, WI 54301
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
WTVG-TV 4247 Dorr St. Toledo, OH 43607
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336 (see ad above!)
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW Rochester, MN 55902
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503
**: Spanish language station