October 8, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another new news director for a CBS o-and-o, and we have a clarification/correction on an item from Sunday’s full newsletter.
Fernandez
MIGUEL FERNANDEZ returns to WFOR-TV as VP/News Director. He spent more than 22 years at this CBS owned station before leaving almost five years ago to be the Assistant ND at WLTV-TV, the Univision station in Miami. He began his career as a writer for WSVN-TV (FOX) in Miami. President/GM KIM VOET sent this note to the staff within the hour. And here’s the news release from CBS.
Miguel replaces KERRI CAVANAUGH who stepped down in August while on leave for a personal matter. Kerri was ND here for about two years.
I want to update an item from the last full newsletter.
KLKN-TV in Lincoln, NE, is hiring an Executive News Director. as we reported. But STEFFANI NOLTE remains at this Standard Media owned ABC affiliate as ND. The Executive News Director will supervise all broadcast and digital programs at KLKN and supervise the company’s FOX affiliate in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Apologies to Steffani and to you.
We’ll see you this weekend with our full newsletter.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
We have a lot in this week’s edition.
That includes THREE new news directors and TWO new openings.
33 stations have news director openings, according to my unofficial list. There’s TWO Paid Ads this week, ONE for an Assistant ND job in Los Angeles and the other for an EP job in New York state.
Among our other ads this week, a new music image campaign from our longtime supporters at Stephen Arnold Music. Their ad is just below. And Sciline has a number of new interview opportunities detailed as you read on.
I’m sorry to report the death of longtime Little Rock News Director JIM PITCOCK who died this morning. Details are below.
Also below, lots of stories in Names in the News, including more changes at the top of CBS News, a new broadcast faculty member at Poynter, efforts to televise former President Trump’s election conspiracy trial, and a number of news managers on the move.
There’s more, too, so read on and enjoy!
Newly Named News Directors:
Aponte
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA…SIMONE APONTE has been promoted to ND for this FOX owned station. She first joined KTVU in 2014 and has been the managing editor, executive producer, and, for the last two years, the Assistant News Director. She’s also worked for three stations in San Diego. Simone replaces AMBER EIKEL who was promoted to general manager for FOX’s KCPQ-TV in Seattle in August after six years as ND here.
TWO new news directors for NBC owned properties in Washington, and both will report to VP/News MIKE GOLDRICK, who detailed the promotions in this staff email.
At WRC-TV, MATT GLASSMAN has been elevated to news director. He’s been the Assistant ND for ten years. He’s a 23 year veteran of the station who’s held a variety of other jobs there.
And at WZDC-TV (Telemundo), DANIELA LLARGUES has been promoted to ND.
One other note: In our complete list of ND openings below, I’ve removed KFTV in Fresno, CA. I’m told the ND at the Univision station in Sacramento, VLADIMIR ARAYA will oversee both stations.
New News Director Openings:
Clenney
WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL…ANDREA CLENNEY is stepping down as ND for this Tegna owned FOX affiliate, in part due to some on-going health challenges. GM LARRY AUDAS (who also oversees Tegna’s WFMY-TV in Greensboro), notified staffers via this email. Andrea’s been here for six years, has been a news director for two stations in Gainesville, FL, as well as in Columbus, GA, Wilmington and Greenville, NC, and has worked in several other markets.
Nolte
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE…this Standard Media owned ABC affiliate is looking for an executive news director. UPDATE: 10/10/23: STEFFANI NOLTE continues as the news director there, a job she’s he’d since October, 2021, after two months as the assistant news director. The Executive News Director will supervise all broadcast and digital programs at KLKN and supervise the company’s FOX affiliate in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Assistant News Director, KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA:
NBC4 & T52 is looking for an Assistant News Director to lead the second largest duopoly newsroom in the country. The candidate will run day-to day editorial coverage for T52 and NBC4. The Assistant News Director must have strong news judgment and the ability to lead and inspire a highly talented news team. The job will require someone who is able to go beyond established goals and who will perform these functions within the context of the duopoly objectives, policies, and procedures. This position will report directly to the VP of News for T52 and NBC4.
Responsibilities Include:
Manage day-to-day coverage, major events, and breaking news across all NBC4/T52 broadcast and digital platforms
Implement strategies and tactics to increase ratings and performance
Oversees planning and execution of special projects coverage for the duopoly
Provides leadership to news professionals, driving culture of creativity and excellence in a multi-platform environment
Manage script approval process as delegated to individual managers
Ensures daily goals are communicated to the entire duopoly staff
Implements and has working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws impacting editorial operations
Enforces newsroom’s policies and procedures, including deadlines and style
Back-up for VP of News for T52 and NBC4, as needed
Qualification / Requirements:
Minimum 3 years experience as a Broadcast News Director, Assistant News Director or similar leadership role in a mid to large market
Minimum 5 years experience as a news manager
Bachelors degree in Journalism, Communications or equivalent work experience
Desired:
Bilingual – Spanish/English
Click here to learn more and apply!
Morning Executive Producer, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:
WIVB/WNLO in Buffalo, NY is searching for a hands-on, passionate journalist for the position of Morning Executive Producer.
WIVB-TV is stationed between historic downtown Buffalo and beautiful Niagara Falls. To those who are unfamiliar with Western New York, Buffalo may just be another “rising” city. But to all of us at WIVB-TV, we know it’s much more than just chicken wings and beef on weck. It’s the City of Good Neighbors, the Queen City, or simply – home.
From the ever-growing Waterfront development, the changing seasons, wine country, and pro sports (with passionate fans like you’ve never seen before) and the flavorful food, it’s pretty tough to beat the unique, local feel!
Our brand is “We’re 4 Buffalo” and we live it every day with local news coverage by our enthusiastic news team. We offer factual news and locally produced programming with market-wide digital delivery on https://www.wivb.com
We are looking for a creative leader who can teach and execute the importance of showcasing and tight, concise writing. The successful candidate will work closely with reporters on daily story development and script approval; with newscast producers on story selection, showcasing, meter management and tease writing; and with the assignment desk to help dispatch crews efficiently and aggressively. The successful candidate also will be required to line produce as needed, help manage producer staff schedules, give regular feedback to members of the news team, and work with other news managers to constantly refine and improve the entire newsroom operation.
Click here for more information and to apply.:
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
Experts available for Zoom interviews:
- Oct. 16: Fall vaccines with Dr. Kawsar Talaat (Johns Hopkins U.)
- Oct. 19: Fall lawn care and leaf management with Dr. Susan Barton (U. of Delaware)
- Nov. 15: Modernizing the electrical grid with Dr. Joshua Rhodes (UT Austin)
New expert videos – available for download/use in stories:
- Youth sports injuries
- Four-day school weeks
- School start time
- Waterway restoration and management
- Science of reading
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23, see ad above!)
WFOR-TV, Miami, FL (listed 9/3/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 8/20/23)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 8/20/23)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (relisted 9/10/23)
WNEP-TV, Scranton, PA (listed 8/20/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 8/20/23)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (listed 9/10/23)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (listed 8/13/23)
WJHL-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 10/1/23)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 9/10/23)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, listed 8/28/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 8/20/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 10/8/23)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul (listed 7/30/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 8/20/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/6/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, listed 8/20/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/8/23)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 9/10/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 9/10/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/10/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 10/8/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 9/10/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 8/20/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 9/10/23)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/10/23)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listing modified 9/17/23, see ad above!)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 8/20/23)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 8/20/23)
WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH (listed 8/20/23)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 10/1/23:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Assignment Desk Manager)
Listed 9/10/23:
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Digital Director)
Listed 8/20/23:
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)
Obituary:
Pitcock
JIM PITCOCK, a legendary newsman in Arkansas, died this morning (October 8th) after a short illness. He was 83. Jim spent more than 30 years as news director for Little Rock’s KATV, first joining in 1964. Later he wokred on the staff of MARK PRYOR, a one time Arkansas attorney general and U.S. Senator. KATV remembered him and the Arkansas Democrat & Gazette paid tribute here.
Names in the News:
RTDNA, SPJ, and many media groups are petitioning for some video and/or audio coverage of former President Trump’s trial on election conspiracy charges next year.
More upper level management changes at CBS including moves involving several people whose names you will recognize. More in this story from TV NewsCheck.
THREE Washington state TV general managers came together and wrote a column calling on the FCC to modernize rules covering streaming services and local stations.
LEONARD DOWNIE, JR., thinks local news is not dying but may be evolving. Downie is a former executive editor of The Washington Post. He points to the growth of a non profit news organizations and other developments. His opinion column is worth your time.
Quick hits:
Lupenski
KPRC-TV (Graham Media/NBC) in Houston has promoted TIFFANI LUPENSKI to Digital Transformation Director. She tells me she’ll oversee both the website and streaming efforts. Tiffani’s a multi-time ND who began as a reporter in Lake Charles, LA.
MICHAEL GENDRON will be the next Assistant ND for Hubbard’s WDIO-TV in Duluth, MN. Michael is a non-traditional hire: check out his background here.
ERIC WARREN joins Morgan Murphy’s WKBT-TV in La Crosse, WI, as an EP. News Director JASON WALKER told the staff via this note.
Speight
KERWIN SPEIGHT joins the faculty at Poynter where he will concentrate on TV and broadcast journalism. This news release from Poynter details Kerwin’s extensive background at stations all over the country.
General Manager News and Notes:
JAKE MANSHIP becomes the latest member of his family to helm the eponymous company which owns WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, among other stations.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 8, 2023:
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
KRIV-TV 4261 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77027
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WDIV-TV 550 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
WFOR-TV 8900 NW 18th Terrace Doral, FL 33172
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Drive Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WATE-TV 1306 North Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1 Roanoke, VA 24019
WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, AL 35801
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, IL 61265
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502
WFIE-TV 1115 Mt. Auburn Road Evansville, IN 47720
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
WLOX-TV 208 DeBuys Road, Biloxi, MS 39531
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, MS 39301
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
KTVH-TV 100 W Lyndale Ave. Ste A. Helena, MT 59601
KNOP-TV 402 S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101
**: Spanish language station