October 10, 2021
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 UPDATE #2:
Greetings:
UPDATES do breed UPDATES!
FOUR items of note in this second report today, including new news directors at TWO network owned stations in top 20 markets. Meanwhile, another news director becomes a GM, and there’s a new GM at a top ten o-and-o.
Wiederrich
Congratulations to JAKE WIEDERRICH who’s been promoted to VP/News Director for KCPQ-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Seattle. Here’s the news release. Jeff’s been the Assistant ND there for the last three years four months. He’s also worked in San Francisco, Portland, OR, and for another Seattle station. He replaces ERIK BREON who left in July, citing health reasons, after 16 months.
Strain
KCNC-TV, Denver, CO…KRISTINE STRAIN, who’s worked at this CBS o-and-o for 21 years, will now be the news director here. She’s been the Assistant ND for the last 17 years and will continue to report to TIM WIELAND who was promoted to GM earlier this year after 17 years as ND. Here’s Tim’s note to the staff. Kristine has worked in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, for two stations in Kansas City, and in Wichita and Topeka, KS.
Terri C.
TERRI COPE-WALTON has been named VP/GM for Graham Media’s WJXT/WCWJ-TV (independent/CW)in Jacksonville, FL. Terri’s been the ND for Scripps’ WRTV (ABC) in Indianapolis since 2013. She first joined WRTV in 1998 as a producer, ran the community affairs department and served as Assistant ND. In Jacksonville, she replaces BOB ELLIS who was promoted to GM for Graham’s WDIV-TV (NBC) in Detroit.
Brown
Finally, TODD BROWN will be the next general manager for Cox Media Group’s WFXT-TV (FOX) in Boston. He had been the SVP and Chief Revenue office for (the about to be sold to Gray) Meredith Corporation until leaving in 2020, and spent 16 years at the company’s Las Vegas station, KVVU-TV (FOX), the last six as general manager. He’s also worked in Fresno as a general sales manager.
A busy day today, which means a full newsletter this weekend.
We’ll see you then.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
In auto racing, there’s a saying “Yellow flags breed yellow flags.”
Perhaps UPDATES breed UPDATES.
Dahl
Our second UPDATE in two days (after four weeks without) brings news that JEN DAHL has left Meredith’s (but soon to be Gray’s) Phoenix duopoly, KPHO/KTVK-TV (CBS/independent) after just over two years as news director. It was Jen’s second stint here, as she’d been a producer at KTVK. She’s a former regional ND for Sinclair and a news director in Salt Lake City. She had been out of TV for three years before returning to Phoenix.
The timing seems odd, with the anticipated closing of the Gray acquisition of Meredith expected by the end of the year.
More on this story and the rest of the week’s developments in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Our first update in almost a month brings word of a new news director in a top 10 market.
Palefsky
JOSH PALEFSKY has been promoted to the top job at Nexstar’s KRON-TV (MyNetwork affiliated) in San Francisco.
He’s been the Assistant ND there for the last three years. Josh first joined the station in 2011 as an associate producer and worked his way up the ranks. You can see all of his different jobs by checking out his Linkedin page.
Josh replaces his former boss, AARON PERO, who left KRON in July after 15 years as ND and 20 at the station.
Finally, apologies to new WALB-TV (Albany, GA) News Director JERRY GOODMAN for using the wrong name in the caption under his picture in the emailed version of last week’s newsletter.
We’ll have all this week’s news in our full newsletter this Sunday.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
This week’s report is perhaps as slow as last week’s was busy. though we do have a busy Names in the News section.
Just ONE new news director was named, with TWO new jobs opening. Our always unofficial list of open ND jobs increases slightly to 42.
TWO of those ND openings are among FOUR paid help wanted ads.
We have ONE obituary for a long time Oregon anchor and one time news director. And there’s ONE new general manager to tell you about.
And in Names in the News, reaction to last week’s TY CARVER column on hiring and retiring people in news. A longtime NBC recruiter is leaving the network, and a longtime media company is selling its magazines and digital properties not long after selling its broadcast stations. And we have some news managers on the move.
All that and more below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Goodman
WALB-TV, Albany, GA…JERRY GOODMAN gets his first news director’s job at this Gray owned NBC/ABC operation. He’s spent the last 21 months as the Assistant ND for Gray’s KSLA-TV (CBS) in Shreveport. Jerry’s resume is lengthy and includes time in Georgia at WSB-TV in Atlanta as an EP. He replaces NICOLE CYPRIAN who left to become ND for KATC-TV in Lafayette, LA after almost four years as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Hamblen
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO…after almost 35 years, the last three as news director LISSA HAMBLEN is leaving this Mission Broadcasting owned but operated by Nexstar CBS affiliate. She first joined KOLR in 1987 as a creative services producer, left for a while, but returned as a news producer, rising to executive producer, then assistant ND in 2000.
Weinrich
WSIL-TV, Carterville, IL…JEFF WEINRICH is leaving this Allen Media ABC affiliate after two years as ND, though 14 at the station. Jeff emailed: (I’m) taking a communications-marketing job with a local health care group. Sad to leave this place that has been my home for so long, but it was time for a change of pace. I’m excited about what’s next. He was the Ass’t. ND before his promotion. He’s also worked in Columbia, MO.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, News 12 Westchester, Westchester, NY:
Imagine running a multi-platform content operation and newsroom in Americas #1 market without stressing the commute to Manhattan.
News 12 is the leader in hyperlocal news, weather, traffic, politics, and investigative news delivering 24/7 award-winning coverage in the NY/NJ/CT areas.
News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley is one of seven newsrooms in the NY/NJ/CT region servicing a cable audience of more than 4.5 million and we’re looking for our next news director. It’s a large New York viewing area encompassing Westchester and Rockland County and the Hudson Valley.
This is a multi-location news operation with top-flight veteran journalists and a hungry staff waiting to break that next big news story and focus on important local issues. This News Director will interact with the VP of News and SVP/GM along with executive management in the development and implementation of network content, policies, priorities and short-and long-term strategic planning for the news station. In partnership with our network executives, the News Director will market the product, enhance/innovate ad sales opportunities, and direct the digital, social media and OTT strategies for the channel.
Seeking 10+years in journalism, including 8+ in television news and television management. Knowledge of libel laws and executing ethical journalism is a must.
Proficiency in current and emerging newsgathering and production technologies is critical.
Experience with programming and production budgets is expected.
Oh- and bring your fun side, too!
Please send resume and contact information to Caprice Henry via email to: caprice.henry10@alticeusa.com
We’re part of the Altice USA family, America’s fourth largest cable network and partners with Cheddar, the business focused cable channel.
News Director, WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI:
WFRV-TV, the CBS affiliate in the Green Bay/Appleton, WI market (DMA #69) is seeking a forward thinking, energetic, and competitive journalist for the position of News Director.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who has a proven track record for mentoring, coaching and developing talent, solid journalism skills, and a passion for delivering relevant daily news content across multiple platforms. The News Director must be proficient in daily news operations, budgeting, communicating with personnel, contract management, and collaborating with other department heads.
Our coverage of local community events, local programming, and of the Green Bay Packers, is a priority, with a vision for unique storytelling and content.
This is a great opportunity to join Nexstar Media Group, Inc. the largest local television broadcast station group in the US, with 199 stations across 116 television markets.
Assistant News Director, WLS-TV, Chicago, IL:
Here’s your chance to help lead a top newsroom in one of the best news towns in the country: Chicago!
ABC 7 Chicago is looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and innovative leader to join our team as assistant news director. You’ll supervise the daily operation of this award-winning newsroom and guide coverage across all platforms. You’ll collaborate with top-notch reporters, executive producers, producers, assignment editors, photographers and editors. You’ll oversee our investigative unit and special projects. We’re committed to creating high-impact content that serves the Chicagoland community.
ABC 7 Chicago is one of eight ABC/Disney-owned local stations in the country.
Assistant News Director, WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI:
WDJT-TV, Weigel Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate in Milwaukee Wisconsin is looking for an Assistant News Director .
We are a family-owned company committed to storytelling in our local communities. We don’t have corporate must-run stories or mandates. We have an entrepreneurial spirit and are dedicated to digging deep into what our local viewers want to know about.
We offer a comprehensive benefit package including health and welfare benefits, no cost life insurance and in person counseling, generous 401k match, paid time off and relocation assistance!
Visit CBS58 Openings to learn more and apply!
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/3/21, see ad above!)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 8/8/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 10/3/21, see ad above!)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 10/3/21)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/12/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 9/5/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 8/22/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 8/22/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (relisted 9/12/21)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 9/19/21)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA, (Weekend AM EP, listed 8/29/21)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Morning EP, listed 8/29/21)
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted this week)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/26/21)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 9/12/21)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (EP, Lifestyle Show, listed 10/3/21)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (listed 9/12/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (2 openings, listed 8/8/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/3/21)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listed 10/3/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 9/26/21)
WDSU-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 9/12/21)
WGNO/WNOL-TV, New Orleans, LA (new listing this week)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/12/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 9/12/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 9/12/21)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 9/12/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 9/12/21)
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)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 9/12/21)
KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR (new listing this week)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (relisted 8/29/21)
More News Management Openings:
Relisted this week:
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 10/3/21:
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 9/19/21:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Listed 9/12/21:
New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
Listed 9/5/21:
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (Digital Manager)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 8/15/21:
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital Content Manager)
Obituary:
Walker
DAVID WALKER, a longtime anchor in two Oregon markets, and news director in one, died Monday after a long illness. He was 67. David spent ten years as ND at KCBY-TV in Coos Bay, OR, before moving to sister station KVAL-TV in 1999 as an anchor and reporter. He was active in the community as you’ll learn in the station’s remembrance.
Names in the News:
Meredith, which is selling its broadcast properties, has reached a deal to sell its magazines and digital properties to Dotdash. This New York Times article (a subscription may be required) has more details.
Carver
As anticipated, a number of you reached out to comment on TY CARVER’s recent post about the challengers facing anyone trying to hire in television. We shared that with your last week Obviously he got a lot more response, which he has compiled into a lengthy post.
It was great to see the huge reaction to the original article, but here’s my question.
Who, if anyone, is going to actually do anything about the problem?
If you’re a corporate executive, I’d be happy to republish any thoughts you’d like to share with readers.
Email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
Elena N.
Longtime NBC talent recruiter ELENA NACHMANOFF is leaving the network at the end of the year after 31 years there. More details in this story from Deadline.com
A few quick items:
JARRETT SHUSTRIN moves within Nexstar to become the morning EP for WPIX-TV in New York. Jarrett spent 23 years at KTVI/KPLR-TV in St. Louis in a WIDE variety of jobs. He also spent two years as a sports producer for KMOV-TV in St. Louis.
Russo
ALISON RUSSO returns to Nexstar’s WIVB-TV (Nexstar/CBS) in Buffalo as morning executive producer. She spent almost six years there before leaving in 2012. Alison most recently worked as a digital assignment editor for Scripps’ KSHB-TV (NBC) in Kansas City.
JEFF BARND is returning to Arlington Public Media as ND for ACMI News. He left Delta News in Mississippi late last month after one year as ND.
TOM LEYSNA joins WEEK-TV (NBC) and HOI-ABC in Peoria as Assistant News Director for both stations. He most recently was the Assistant ND for WOWK-TV in Charleston/Huntington, WV, and has also worked in Omaha.
Lee
As promised, we can now tell you about DAVID LEE’s new job. We shared last week that he was leaving WFRV-TV (Nexstar/CBS) after not quite two years as ND. David followed through this week: “I am heading to Seattle to be the Executive Editor of Cascade Public Media“. Thanks to David for following through, and congrats.
General Manager News and Notes:
German
KMTV in Omaha is getting a new general manager. It’s DAVE GERMAN, who’d been the general manager for KPEJ-TV (Mission Broadcasting owned/operated by Nexstar/FOX) in Odessa, TX. He’s a former GM for a duopoly in Anchorage, AL, and also worked for many years in his hometown of Savannah, GA. KMTV is owned by Scripps and is a CBS affiliate.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 10, 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 Westchester, 6 Executive Plaza Yonkers, NY 10701 (see ad above!)
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan Street, # 1900 Dallas, TX 75201 **
KRON-TV 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
WBTS-TV 189 B St., Needham, MA 02494
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCNC-TV 1044 Lincoln, Denver, CO 80203
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento California 95815-5008
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
KUAN-TV 9680 Granite Ridge Drive San Diego, CA 92123
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
KTBC-TV 119 East 10th Street Austin TX 78701
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive; Knoxville, TN 37919
KATV 401 Main St. Little Rock, AR 72201
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main Street , Dayton , OH 45409
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301 (see ad above!)
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KINT-TV 5426 North Mesa Street El Paso,TX 79912 **
KLKN-TV, 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac, MI 49601
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
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KPAX-TV 1049 West Central Avenue Missoula MT 59801
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