September 15, 2024
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Big changes this week at CBS owned stations…and they are a big departure in the way stations are managed.
Wieland
Today, TIM WIELAND was named a Regional GM for KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. He will continue to serve as GM for KCNC-TV in Denver, a job he’s held since 2021 (and where he formerly served as news director). Tim will move to Los Angeles. I have yet to see a news release from CBS, but here are stories from Broadcasting and Cable and TVNewsCheck. Tim replaces JOEL VILMENAY who sent this note to the staff.
KRISTINE STRAIN, who’s been ND at KCNC since Tim was promoted to GM, has been given the new title of Station Manager and News Director.
Tim’s promotion is the second such move this week.
Green, Jr.
JOHNNY GREEN, JR., who’s been the General Manager for WCBS-TV in New York since 2021, has also been named a Regional General Manager, adding oversight of WBZ-TV in Boston (where he had once served as news director). Haven’t seen a news release on this change, either .He replaces JUSTIN DRAPER: we told you last weekend that Justin, a long time CBS employee, was leaving.
And earlier this summer, WBBM-TV (Chicago) GM JENNIFER LYONS (also a former ND) added oversight of CBS’s struggling Detroit station, WWJ-TV.
As one observer put it in an email to me, glad to see CBS is trying these changes in such small markets (#1, #2, #3, #8. #14, and #16).
Who knows what the rest of the week will bring….but we’ll endeavor to bring it to you with UPDATES (if warranted) and in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
For the second week in a row, THREE new NDs. but just ONE new opening.
These changes take our list of open ND jobs to 35.
We have TWO paid ads for management level jobs with Spectrum in two pretty desirable markets, Raleigh and Austin, TX. Weather coach TIM HELLER is back with an ad for his services, and Sciline has some good opportunities to learn more about science coverage.
After a long career at CBS, one of its o-and-o GMs is leaving his post. That’s below. along with details about an upcoming retirement for Tegna’s SVP of News, ELLEN CROOKE
All that and more below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Frack
KATU-TV, Portland, OR…native Oregonian DANIELLE FRACK has been promoted to ND at this Sinclair Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. A nine year veteran of the station, Danielle has most recently been the Assistant ND, one of many jobs she’s held there. Danielle replaces YVONNE SIMONS who left in July to become ND for Sinclair’s WZTV (FOX) in Nashville, a move that gets her closer to family in Michigan,
Campbell
Spectrum News, Austin, TX…JEREMY CAMBPELL moves from Spectrum’s NY1 to become Senior News Director for this cable news operation. In addition to his time in New York, Jeremy was a news director in Knoxville (WBIR-TV), and also worked in Tampa, Atlanta, Birmingham, and Lafayette, LA, where he started on air, as you’ll learn on his Linkedin page.
Rizzo
WFFF/WVNY-TV, Burlington, VT…JOHN RIZZO moves within Nexstar to become the next news director for this FOX/ABC operation. He’s been the Digital EP for the company’s WTEN-TV in Albany, NY. John replaces ROB TAYLOR who left last month to move within Nexstar as the Assistant ND for WSYR-TV in Syracuse.
September SciLine events
Zoom – All events are free
On September 18th (2-3 p.m. ET), SciLine is offering a Zoom-based science “crash course”—designed specifically for editors. This free course will teach basic principles about how science works, how to integrate it skillfully into your outlet’s journalism, and strategies for making sure the science is right during the editing process.
Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Dr. Tori Espensen will together lay out key do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when editing a news story that includes scientific information or sources. Their insights are based on decades of experience working with reporters, editors, and scientists.
Forty-five minutes of interactive teaching will be followed by a 15-min open Q&A.
MORE FROM SCILINE:
MEDIA BRIEFINGS
- September 18th (1-2 p.m. EDT): Hurricane aftermath: Damage to infrastructure, health, and the environment
- September 25th (2-3 p.m. EDT): Voter demographics, access, and turnout
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
New News Director Openings:
Avery
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, Montana…CHRIS AVERY is leaving these Sinclair owned NBC affiliates after six years (branded as NBC Montana) to return to Salt Lake City where he’ll be the Assistant ND at sister Sinclair station KUTV. (CBS). It’s completes the Salt Lake City hat trick for Chris, who’s also worked at KSTU-TV and KTVX-TV.
Also: a correction from an item from last week.
In our report about WCIV-TV (Charleston, SC) ND CATHY HOBBS‘ new job taking over her company’s True Crime Team, we had the wrong company. It’s Sinclair, not Gray, as I reported.
Apologies to all.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Managing Director, Spectrum News. Austin, TX:
As Managing Director, you’ll direct the assignment of editorial content and leads a team of journalists. Your voice will be heard in the newsroom, as you determine the choices that will promote quality and engage audiences. You will lead, develop, and train teams to attract talent to the organization. It is a cycle of constant improvement as you oversee the Managing Editor, providing newsroom-wide mentorship. You’ll make data-informed decisions about what’s resonating to connect our audience with the stories that matter.
WHAT OUR MANAGING DIRECTORS ENJOY MOST
Working closely with Managing Editors and Executive producers to help grow and develop them into great leaders.
Managing high-performing teams by inspiring, guiding, educating, and coaching skillfully to draw in and nurture potential.
As a part of Spectrum News, you’re creative, highly technical, and ready to bring the character-driven stories of those in your community to life in our newsroom. You value accuracy and want to leverage your curiosity and storytelling abilities to share inspiring news across multiple platforms. Each day is a fast-paced and constantly evolving work environment with new stories to tell and perspectives to uncover.
We are focused on fostering a healthy, inclusive, and people-first team culture to effectively address challenges together. If you’re a nimble, passionate team player, you’ll find a home on our team.
To apply please visit the website below!
Spectrum News – Managing Director – Austin, TX
Executive Producer, Spectrum News, Raleigh, NC:
As Executive Producer, you’ll own the vision for the newscast. You’ll lead your team through story creation to produce compelling, timely, and accurate newscasts. You’ll be responsible for building a positive team culture, while generating story ideas that reflect your local community. You’ll make data-informed decisions to connect your audience with the stories that matter.
WHAT OUR EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ENJOY MOST
Uniting a team of storytellers
Overseeing projects start to finish, including breaking news coverage and issue-driven special programming.
Hands-on management and training opportunities involving graphics, cameras, and cross-newsroom workflow.
As a part of Spectrum News, you’re creative, highly technical, and ready to bring the character-driven stories of those in your community to life in our newsroom. You value accuracy and want to leverage your curiosity and storytelling abilities to share inspiring news across multiple platforms. Each day is a fast-paced and constantly evolving work environment with new stories to tell and perspectives to uncover. We are focused on fostering a healthy, inclusive, and people-first team culture to effectively address challenges together. If you’re a nimble, passionate team player, you’ll find a home on our team.
To apply please visit the website below!
Spectrum News – Executive Producer – Raleigh, NC
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 8/18/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 7/21/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 9/8/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 7/21/24)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/11/24)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 7/28/24)
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 7/21/24)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 7/7/24)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 9/15/24)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 9/8/24)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/21/24)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 7/21/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (relisted 8/11/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (relisted 7/21/24)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 7/28/24)
WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA (AM EP, listed 7/28/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, relisted 8/11/24)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Morning Broadcast EP, listed 7/28/24)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Evening Broadcast EP, listed 7/28/24)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/2/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 7/28/24)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 8/11/24)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Lifestyle show EP, listed 9/15/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (relisted 9/15/25, see ad above!)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/18/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 7/21/24)
WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 8/11/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 8/11/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 9/15/24)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 8/11/24)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 7/21/24)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (listed 8/11/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem NC, (Weekend EP, listed 8/11/24)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (AM EP, listed 7/28/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/21/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 9/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (relisted 8/11/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 7/21/24)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 9/2/24)
KOLR/KRBK-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 9/8/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/21/24)
WMTM-TV, Portland, ME (listed 8/11/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listing modified 7/1/24)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 9/15/24)
KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT (relisted 9/2/24)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 9/2/24)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 9/15/24:
Spectrum News, Austin, TX (Managing Director) See ad above!
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (Digital Media Director)
Listed 7/21/24:
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Digital Director)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (Digital Director)
Names in the News (and other stuff):
Crooke
ELLEN CROOKE, who’s the SVP of News for Tegna, has announced her retirement in January 2025. Ellen joined Tegna’s management team in 2014 and moved into her current role in 2021. She’s a former news director in Atlanta, Buffalo, and South Bend, and also worked in Louisville. More in the Tegna news release.
General Manager News and Notes:
Draper
He spent about three decades at CBS, and worked at many of its owned stations, but that will come to and end at the end of the month when JUSTIN DRAPER leaves his job as GM for WBZ-TV in Boston. The Boston Globe has more. He also served as a GM for KOVR/KMAX-TV in Sacramento, and also working at o-and-o’s in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, and an earlier stint in Boston.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 15, 2024:
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
WXTV 500 Frank W Burr Blvd Ste 6. Teaneck, NJ 07666 **
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
KOMO-TV 140 4th Ave. N.Seattle, WA 98109
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Rd, Sacramento, CA 95820
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WJXT-TV 4 Broadcast Pl, Jacksonville, FL 32207
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WJAR-TV 23 Kenney Drive Cranston, RI 02920
WATN-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KATV 10 Turtle Creek Lane Little Rock, AR 72202
WDTN-TV 4595 S Dixie Dr. Dayton, OH 45439
WGBA-TV 1391 North Rd Green Bay, WI 54313
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
WCIV-TV 88 Allbritton Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KWES-TV 11320 West County Rd. 127. Odessa, TX, 79765
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WTRF-TV 96 16th St, Ste 2, Wheeling, WV 26003
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, 340 W. Main St. Missoula, MT 59802
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Ave N., Billings, MT 59101
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
**: Spanish language station