October 17, 2021
Monday, October 18th, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
TWO items today, including a former ND turned GM moving to a top 50 market.
First, Sinclair Broadcast Group has issued this news release on what it describes as a ‘cyber security incident’ impacting its operations. It’s a rapidly evolving story which is being covered by mainstream media, including this recent article from the Associated Press.
Neelly
And congratulations to MIKE NEELLY who’s been promoted to General Manager for Hearst’s WDSU-TV (NBC) in New Orleans. Mike’s a longtime Hearst employee who most recently has been GM for the company’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS, where he had earlier worked as a photojournalist and producer. Mike also served as a news director for Hearst station’s in Cincinnati (WLWT-TV/NBC) and Louisville (WLKY-TV/CBS).
At WDSU, he replaces JOEL VILMENAY who left to become GM for CBS’s KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles.
As always, more details in our full newsletter this weekend. We’ll see you then.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
We’ve had a lot of reaction the past two weeks to TY CARVER’s posts (re-published here) about salaries and retaining employees.
Last week, I offered any corporate types (and MANY read this newsletter) the opportunity to tell us what they plan to do to solve a very real problem.
Reprinted here, in their entirety, are their responses.
Yeah, none.
Crickets.
Silence.
The offer is still good if any corporate execs want to share their thoughts.
On to our normal business. ANOTHER busy week, with SIX open positions filled, but another FIVE opened up. That leaves our count of open ND jobs at 41.
THREE of those filled jobs were in top 20 markets.
And FIVE of the SIX were filled with assistant ND’s getting moved up, while the sixth was a promotion within the same company.
ONE of those openings are among our THREE paid ads.
In Names in the News, a well-known Tegna executive is retiring at the end of the year. Read her note looking back…and forward. We also have a few news managers on the move, TWO new GMs in Boston, and some other GM appointments, as well.
And we have an obituary for a long time (and long ago) Ohio news director.
It’s another busy week…read on and enjoy.
Newly Named News Directors:
Palefsky
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA…our Tuesday UPDATE told you that JOSH PALEFSKY had been promoted to news director for this Nexstar owned MyNetwork affiliate. He’s been the Assistant News Director there for the past three years. Josh joined the station in 2011 as an associate producer. He replaces AARON PERO, who left in July. Aaron was there 20 years and news director for the last 15.
Wiederrich
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA…if you saw our Wednesday UPDATE, you learned that JAKE WIEDERRICH has been promoted to VP/ND for this FOX o-and-o. He’s been the assistant ND for four months, and has 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. (We called him JEFF in that update. He was good natured in accepting our apology, saying it was usually his last name that was butchered.)
Strain
KCNC-TV, Denver, CO…that same Wednesday UPDATE told you that KRISTINE STRAIN has been promoted to ND here after 17 years as the Assistant ND. But she still has the same boss, GM TIM WIELAND who’d been the ND there before his recent promotion to the corner office. Tim’s note to the staff is here. She’s also worked in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, for two stations in Kansas City, and in Wichita and Topeka, KS.
Kevin M.
KTBC-TV, Austin, TX…this FOX o-and-o wasted little time replacing longtime ND PAM VAUGHT by promoting Assistant News Director KEVIN McPHERSON to the top job after 22 years as the #2. He’s in this THIRD stint there: he began as a photographer, moved to Dallas as a photographer, back to KTBC as Managing Editor, then to Fox News Channel as a producer, before rejoining KTBC in 1999. Pam was ND here for 23 years.
Nolte
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE…alert readers will see a pattern here as ANOTHER assistant ND is bumped up. Here it’s STEFFANI NOLTE who just joined the Standard Media ABC affiliate two months ago. She had been the Chief Photographer for KMTV in Omaha. Steffani’s also worked in Des Moines, LaCrosse, WI, and Florence, SC, where she worked as a multimedia journalist for a newspaper. At KLKN, she replaces JENNIFER HARDY who left earlier this summer after 13 months.
Gamboa
KYTX-TV, Tyler, TX…MATEO GAMBOA stays with Tegna and within Texas as he becomes the new ND for this CBS affiliate. Mateo spent the last 5 1/2 years at Tegna’s WFAA-TV (ABC) in Dallas as a producer and senior producer. He’s also worked for KXAS-TV (NBC) in Ft. Worth and for KCEN-TV in Temple, TX. My records show the last ND here was ZOLTAN CSANYI-SALCEDO who left in September 2019 after nine months.
And apologies to JERRY GOODMAN, the new ND for WALB-TV in Albany, GA, whose photo had the wrong caption (only in the emailed version of the newsletter) last week in reporting his hire.
New News Director Openings:
Dahl
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ…in what was a busy week for UPDATES, our Wednesday report told you that JEN DAHL has left this Meredith owned (sale pending to Gray) CBS-independent duopoly. She was ND here for three years in her second stint (earlier as a producer for KTVK). She’s a former regional ND for Sinclair and an ND in Salt Lake City. Jen had been out of TV for three years before returning to Phoenix.
Cope-Walton
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN…one of our TWO Wednesday updates brought the good news that TERRI COPE-WALTON is leaving this Scripps owned ABC affiliate to become GM for Graham Media’s WJXT/WCWJ-TV (independent/CW). Terri spent 23 years at WRTV in a variety of roles before ascending to ND in 2013. She’s also worked in Dayton. In Jacksonville, she replaces BOB ELLIS (himself a former ND) who was promoted to GM for Graham’s WDIV-TV (NBC) in Detroit.
Watson
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH…MEL WATSON is retiring December 17th as news director for this Gray Television owned ABC affiliate. She’s been the ND there for three years, but spent most of her career in Cleveland at WEWS-TV and WOIO-TV. She and her husband (who is retiring from Sherwin-Williams the same day) will move to Tennessee. The company has had a commuter marriage for the three years Mel’s worked in Toledo.
KBAK/KFBX-TV, Bakersfield, CA…JEFF LENK left this Sinclair Broadcasting owned CBS/FOX duopoly in early September. He’s been the news director for the last five years. Jeff worked here for 14 years, first as a producer and then executive producer before being promoted to ND.
Snead
KCBD-TV, Lubbock, TX….the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Really? How many avalanches ARE there in Lubbock?) is reporting that ND BENJI SNEAD and GM DAN JACKSON were dismissed by Gray Television for violating Gray’s Covid vaccination policies. They were apparently among six employees shown the door. More here from the Avalanche Journal (just wanted to say that again!)
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
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WSIL is a recently acquired Allen Media Broadcasting property.
Assistant News Director, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:
Come live in the land of scarlet and gray, the best damn band in the land, great midwestern manners and no shortage of scandals involving former football coaches, the zoo or politicians and energy corporations. There’s always news and always something to do in Columbus!
The Assistant News Director leads the day-to-day production of editorial content across 10TV’s multiple platforms with a specific eye toward coaching the reporters and multiskilled journalists on staff. Through careful coaching, this role elevates their storytelling, writing, crafting, and execution daily – to lift all the 10TV platforms higher. Daily responsibilities include overseeing the editorial process, the on-air execution of newscasts and directing newsroom operations. The Assistant News Director will also train, develop and coach the entire newsroom team while also source and recruit journalists to join the 10TV team.
Requirements:
– 10 years news industry experience, 7 years management experience
– Strong organizational and communication skills
– Proven track record of achieving results and hitting goals
– Ability to plan and execute breaking news and weather coverage
– Four-year degree in journalism or communications
– Field reporting experience is strongly preferred
You can apply for this position here.
Executive Producer, KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT:
Are you a show doctor?
Can you take any story, and tell it in a way that will make viewers want to watch?
Can you teach producers how to take a decent newscast and make it great?
Can you work with reporters to make sure each of their stories are focused, while striving to go after enterprise and exclusive content?
Do you have a passion for digital content, to make sure we are covering every big story on our mobile app, website, and social media?
KUTV, the CBS affiliate in Salt Lake City, is looking for a Daytime Executive Producer to join our winning news team! The ideal candidate will have solid news judgment, be a compelling and accurate writer and be able to multitask and manage their time in order to put together an exciting and informative newscast.
The candidate must also /have strong leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to execute news strategies and goals in daily newscasts. Flexibility and on-the-spot problems solving abilities are a must.
Job Responsibilities:
Determining the content and flow of newscasts
Writing stories with relentless attention to detail
Use of graphics creatively and effectively
Producing content for multiple platforms, including TV, internet, mobile, etc.
Working with management and reporters to generate stories
Meeting daily deadlines in a high energy working environment
Other responsibilities as assigned
Send resumes to Mike Friedrich, News Director at mfriedrich@sbgtv.com or Apply here:
When applying online, please include a recent web link of your work.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/3/21)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 8/8/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 10/3/21)
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 10/10/21)
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 (listing revised this week)
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 (new listing this week, see ad above!)
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 (listed 10/10/21)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/12/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 9/12/21)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (new listing this week)
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)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (new listing this week)
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)
KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR (listed 10/10/21)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (relisted 8/29/21)
More News Management Openings:
New Listing this week:
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)
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)
Obituary:
Dunster
GEORGE DUNSTER, who spent 25 years as the news director for WLIO-TV in Lima, OH, died last Monday. He was 89 years old. After leaving the station in 1999, he remained VERY involved in a large number of organizations in Lima. Among his six children was son SEAN DUNSTER who was a news director for several stations. Much more in this obituary.
Names in the News:
Dennis
Veteran Tegna executive (almost 44 years!) PATTI DENNIS is retiring at the end of the year. She’s currently Director of Recruiting but may be best known for her long tenure as ND for Tegna’s KUSA-TV (NBC) in Denver. Patti sent me this note looking back at her past and what her plans are for the future.
Sandoval
LOURDES SANDOVAL has been named VP of News Operations, Public Affairs and Engagement for Entravision. She replaces LUISA COLLINS who moved to Univision in New York. More from Media Moves.
St. Peter
KEITH ST. PETER joins KNXV-TV in Phoenix (Scripps/ABC) as Senior Executive Producer. He most recently was the ND for Nexstar’s WBRE/WYOU-TV in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he job he left in July after two years. He’s also worked in Dayton, OH, and Jacksonville, FL.
ANDREW BIRKLE has been promoted to Digital Manager at WLNS-TV in Lansing, MI. He had been a digital reporter for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate.
General Manager News and Notes:
TWO new general managers in Boston to share with you:
Brown
In one of our TWO updates Wednesday, we told you that TODD BROWN would be the next GM for Cox Media Group’s WFXT-TV (FOX) in Boston. He’s been the interim GM there and previously worked for Meredith, first in Las Vegas at KVVU-TV, where he spent 16 years, the last six years as GM, and later as an SVP and Chief Revenue Officer.
Draper
And there’s a new general manager for CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston. JUSTIN DRAPER returns as GM for this o-and-o. He’d been the controller there from 2006-2010 before the network sent him west to become GM for KOVR/KMAX-TV in Sacramento. He’s also worked for CBS owned stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis.
TWO GM related items in our ‘New News Director Openings’ section above.
You learned above that TERRI COPE-WALTON is leaving her job as news director at WRTV (Scripps/ABC) in Indianapolis to become GM for WJXT-WCWJ-TV, Graham Media’s duopoly (independent/CW) in Jacksonville, FL.
And we also reported that DAN JACKSON was out (with five others) at Gray’s KCBD-TV in Lubbock, TX, for violating Gray’s Covid policy.
Finally, BROOK ARNOLD has been named general manager for Morgan-Murphy’s KOAM-TV (CBS) in Pittsburg, KS/Joplin, MO. She replaces longtime KOAM GM DANNY THOMAS who is leaving after 26 years as GM and 34 at the station. More in this news release.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 17, 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
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan Street, # 1900 Dallas, TX 75201 **
WBTS-TV 189 B St., Needham, MA 02494
KPHO/KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento California 95815-5008
WRTV 1330 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46202
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
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 St. Dayton, OH 45409
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
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
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918 (see ad above!)
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 **
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac, MI 49601
KBAK-TV 1901 Westwind Dr. Bakersfield, CA 93301
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
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