September 6, 2020
Greetings:
We’re early this week to give you plenty of time to read a newsletter chock full of news.
There are THREE newly named News Directors, TWO as the result of promotions. And there are THREE new openings in medium and smaller markets.
As such, our count of open ND jobs stands at 26. TWO of those open ND jobs are among our EIGHT Paid Help Wanted ads this week.
A veteran broadcaster who held several ND jobs, several GM positions, as well as a corporate gig is retiring later this year. That’s in our GM section, also with news of a new GM at a station which covers parts of SIX states and another new GM who went from morning meteorologist to ND to GM at the same place.
And in Names in the News, a new job for a veteran digital EP, new jobs for TWO former news directors, and details on a health scare for a man who taught at both Kansas and Missouri.
Finally, thanks to those of you who helped my friend and former employee LINDA WHITE with a survey for her Ph.D. mentioned here last week. She was pleased with the response, but as with any research project, she could use more. One note: the survey is for current news directors only. Thanks to those of you who asked.
Just click on the graphic below. Linda (and I) appreciate your help.
Newly Named News Directors:
Morales
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA…NAOMI MORALES moves across Pennsylvania to take her first news director job at this Tegna FOX affiliate. The release is here. She’s been the EP at NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, where she’s worked for eleven years. Naomi’s also worked in Tampa and Miami. She replaces MATT MCCONICO who left the station January after 4+ years as ND.
WALA-TV, Mobile, AL…RANDY MERROW, a 29 year veteran of this Meredith owned FOX affiliate, has been promoted to news director here. Here’s the note from GM COREY HANSON. Randy’s been the Assistant ND here for more than 20 years. He started at the station as a senior producer. He succeeds SCOTT FLANAGAN who was promoted to ND for Meredith’s sister station, KCTV (CBS) in Kansas City earlier this summer. Scott was ND here for six years.
Roberson
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY…another promotion moves PERNA ROBERSON to the ND job at this Sinclair Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. Here’s part of a note from Sinclair’s SCOTT LIVINGSTON. Perna’s been the Assistant ND here for the past two years, and has also worked in Birmingham, Atlanta, Little Rock, and Jackson, MS, where she began as a photographer/reporter. She replaces CHRIS GEGG who left earlier his year (after three years as ND) for the same job at WVEC-TV in Norfolk.
New News Director Openings:
Lovell
WATN/WLMT-TV, Memphis, TN…LISA LOVELL’s last day at this Tegna owned ABC/CW affiliate will be Friday, September 11th. Lisa told me she couldn’t discuss her next move but will let me know when she can, and I’ll pass that along then. She’s been at the station for 16 years, first as EP and as ND for the last 7 1/2. She’s also been an ND in Binghamton, NY, and previously worked in Scranton, PA.
Norred
WFRX-TV, Roanoke, VA…KAY NORRED has left this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate after just more than two years as news director. She previously was the ND at another Nexstar operation, WRBL-TV in Columbus, GA, for almost three years. Kay’s been an ND for WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, VA and has also worked in Tampa, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Pensacola, FL.
Lucas
WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL…this Quincy Media owned NBC and ABC operation is looking for a new news director to replace LON LUCAS who wants to be closer to family. Lon has been ND here for about 2 1/2 years and will stay while the search for his replacement continues. He earlier was an Executive Producer in Las Vegas, and has also worked in Toledo, Cincinnati, and Baton Rouge. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.
And a reminder that there’s one more ad for a news director position…that for KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO. That’s below, as well.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL:
WEEK, Quincy Media’s successful station in Peoria, Illinois is seeking a veteran, dynamic leader for its news operation. Owning both the NBC and ABC affiliates in the market, WEEK serves Central Illinois with two separate award-winning news operations.
We need someone able to provide outstanding leadership to train, coach and inspire our journalists to create and deliver great stories in a multi-platform environment. Our next news director must know the importance of delivering on the brand promise and forging a strong connection with our viewers and users to grow ratings.
Responsibilities:
Foster a performance culture with an emphasis on winning, excellence and innovation.
Communicate the vision and strategy to newsroom and provide the daily direction on major stories, weather events and breaking news.
Ensure ethical, balanced presentation through compliance with Quincy Media policy, FCC policy, federal and state laws, industry standards and our brand promise.
Strong recruiter and team builder
Prepare and execute annual newsroom financial plan.
Qualifications:
Broad understanding of newsroom operations and equipment.
Advanced oral and written communication skills.
Proven leadership which empowers others. Ability to resolve conflict quickly and directly.
3-5 years’ experience in newsroom management.
Strategic thinking – can identify market opportunities and capitalize on them.
Demonstrated team builder
WEEK is proud to be a Quincy Media station. Learn why our family owned broadcast group has a reputation as one of the best companies to work for in our industry by visiting: www.careersatquincy.com. Send your resume to:
Mark DeSantis
VP/General Manager
WEEK-TV
2907 Springfield Rd.
East Peoria, Illinois 61611
Executive Producer, WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA:
Meredith Corporation has an immediate opening for an Executive Producer.
This is a great opportunity to be part of not only putting a quality product on the air, but creating a great work environment for employees. The Executive Producer directs and supervises all aspects of station’s news programs, including development and execution of show content and program format. This position works closely with Producers, Reporters and Assignment Editors in developing and maintaining high quality newscasts. The Executive Producer oversees story selection, pre-production and Producer rundowns. The incumbent proofs and edits scripts on a daily basis. In addition, the Executive Producer helps reporters craft their stories and oversees brand management and content for the show. Prior experience as EP required.
WGCL-TV is a CBS affiliate in the # 10 television market in the United States. The station delivers over 32 hours of weekly news product. WGCL-TV & WPCH TV are owned and operated by the Meredith Local Media Group.
Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com) has been committed to service journalism for more than 115 years. Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile, tablets and video – to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Meredith’s Local Media Group includes 17 television stations reaching more than 10 percent of U.S. households. Meredith’s portfolio is concentrated in large, fast-growing markets, with seven stations in the nation’s Top 25.
Please visit our website for complete details and to apply online.
Meredith Corporation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.
News Director, KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO:
Are you interested in a rare opportunity to help shape the television journalists of the future? Want to create and produce great television news with bright young journalists so excited about the future they’re willing to pay for the chance to work at your station?
Then consider the news director position at KOMU Channel 8 in Columbia, MO, an NBC affiliate where students at the world’s greatest school of journalism learn to report and produce the news under the watchful eye of a great faculty.
The job is a challenging one. You’ll report to two bosses – the journalism dean and the station manager. And commercial and ratings demands are just as great here as they are at any network affiliate. And management of student learning is as important as supervising good journalism. This is not a “victory lap” kind of job.
Still, the job is special. The students are the best in the country. The facilities are first class, and the faculty editors who help teach the students are terrific.
The benefits are many:
Faculty status.
At least four weeks vacation per year free from KOMU and faculty duties.
Better-than-average health care benefits.
Regular and often intense interaction with leaders of the television journalism profession, seeking our graduates and our research into best practices of local television news.
Professional status and recognition far above the 137th DMA rank of KOMU.
If you want to work in the spotlight at a locally owned TV station that will help determine the future of television journalism, please visit here to access the online application system.
We are an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer.
Assistant News Director, WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA:
The Assistant News Director is one of the most critical positions in the newsroom. The successful candidate need to understand, embrace and implement newsroom long term and short term strategy. This position provides leadership in the newsroom. The Assistant News Director plays a critical role in story development with reporters and reviews scripts for accuracy, legal issues, content, value, relevance, grammar and overall direction. This role is actively involved in recruiting newsroom personnel and oversees hiring for certain job categories. The Assistant News Director serves as the primary point of contact in the newsroom when the News Director is unavailable. This position actively engages in putting content on the web and directs the newsroom to support a multi-platform environment.
CBS46 (WGCL-TV) is the largest of Meredith’s 17 owned or operated television stations broadcasting station, broadcasting 35+ hours of local news weekly as well as top prime and high profile sports programming. Employees enjoy a great work environment and flexible benefits. The station is located in Midtown Atlanta- a great place to work, shop, or live.
Please visit our website for complete details and to apply online.
Meredith Corporation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.
AM Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:
WBNS in Columbus, OH seeks a creative, ambitious newsroom leader to transform our morning show and guide a talented team on and off the air. The EP will help craft impactful content that is highly engaging and memorable. If you are a visionary that looks beyond the norm and takes risks, we want you on our team!
Other skills and tasks:
· – Work with the digital and desk teams to identify and assign content appropriately for each platform
· – Encourage innovation, risk-taking and powerful storytelling in crafting great newscasts
· – Oversee multiple newscasts to ensure the brand promise and strategies are met
· – Regularly critique newscasts with the staff, both as a team and with individual producers
· Identify daily opportunities to have our news get noticed and reach new audiences
· – Work collaboratively with other managers and perform tasks as required by News Director and Digital Director
– Skillfully use social media and digital tools to research, discover and distribute content
Qualifications:
· – 3+ years newsroom leadership experience preferred as an EP, assistant news director, or news director
· – Experience successfully leading teams through content transformation
· – Strong understanding of the tenets of professional journalism
· – Knowledge of ENPS, Edius, photojournalism, editing, and content management systems a plus
· – Organizational skills and the ability to work under constant time-sensitive deadlines
· – BA/BS in journalism, communications or related a plus
Click here to apply:
Executive Producer of Innovation, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:
WBNS in Columbus, OH is looking for a motivated, innovative leader to oversee the creation and management of engaging, compelling content for all platforms. The Executive Producer of Innovation will be part of the newsroom leadership team and will work collaboratively with all dayparts as well as sales and marketing on projects. This person will oversee newsroom projects such as podcasts, digital episodic content and other media as we look to meet our audience where they are and elevate our brand. The ideal candidate will identify engaging content opportunities within the newsroom and understand where that content best aligns with emerging product goals and our brand.
The EP of Innovation Will:
· – Manage multiple cross-platforms projects for emerging media such as podcasts, episodics and more
· – Oversee the transformation of early and late evening newscasts, as well as content on all platforms
· – Utilize analytics and data to track success and shape strategy
· – Encourage innovation, risk-taking and powerful storytelling
· – Be a newsroom leader and a bold voice in editorial discussions
· – Challenge the norm
· – Use creative production techniques such as graphics and new forms of media to enhance content across platforms
· – Oversee multiple media projects to ensure the brand promise and strategies are met
· – Identify daily opportunities to have our news get noticed and reach new audiences
· – Perform other tasks as required by station leadership
Click here to apply:
Assistant News Director, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV:
Nexstar Media Group has an immediate opening for an Assistant News Director at our station in Charleston, West Virginia (Mkt 74).
If you have a passion for rugged mountains, wild and scenic rivers and rails-to-trails this is the place to come and raise a family.
The ideal candidate already has some management experience, knowledge of newscast production, and an appreciation of the hard work your MMJ’s and photographers provide.
This is your opportunity to take the next step in television news management and team building.
If you are ready, apply here:
Digital Content Manager, WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV:
Nexstar Media Group has an immediate opening for a Digital Content Manager at our station in Charleston, West Virginia (Mkt 74).
If you have a passion for rugged mountains, wild and scenic rivers and rails-to-trails this is the place to come and raise a family.
The ideal candidate will lead a team of six digital producers and reporters and oversee the content and development of our web and social media platforms while coordinating the efforts of the news, sales and creative services departments.
A minimum of two years producing digital content and management is required.
This is your opportunity to take your next step in television news management and team building.
If you are ready, apply here:
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20, see ad above!)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/2/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 7/19/20)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (new listing this week)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 8/23/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (listed 8/9/20, see ad above!)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 8/2/20)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (new listing this week)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (2 jobs, EP & Digital EP, listing revised 8/30/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 8/9/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 7/19/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 7/5/20)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital EP, listed 8/9/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20, see ad above!)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP of Innovation, listed 8/30/20, see ad above!)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 8/23/20)
WHTM-TV Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, listed 8/23/20)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (new listing this week)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted 8/9/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 8/2/20)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, listed 8/16/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 8/16/20)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (new listing this week)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (listed 8/2/20)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 8/16/20)
More News Management Openings:
New Listing this Week:
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)
Relisted this week:
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)
Listed 8/23/20:
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager, see ad above!)
Relisted 8-16-20:
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)
Listed 8/9/16:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
Listed 7/26/20:
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN (Digital Media Manager)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)
Names in the News (and other items):
Tavss
JEFF TAVSS is the new Digital Executive Producer for Scripps’ KSTU-TV (FOX) in Salt Lake City. He most recently was the Executive Producer of Digital Media and Special Projects for WPLG-TV (ABC) in Miami, where he began his career as a sports producer. Jeff’s also worked for two other Miami stations and helped NBC Sports’ Olympic team with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Pederson
According to his Linkedin page, ANDY PEDERSON has landed as the 6:00 producer for Nexstar’s WKRN-TV (ABC) in Nashville. We told you in March that he’d left Lockwood’s Charlottesville operation, WCAV-TV, after three months as news director. Andy previously spent 2 1/2 years as ND for KTVE/KARD-TV, in Monroe, LA. He began his career as a photojournalist.
Mecham
Former news director JOHN MECHAM has a new job: This from Linkedin:
I can happily announce I am the new Communications Director for the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies! I started this week. I can work remotely from Seattle for now but will end up back in the DC area probably around the first of the year. We are excited to make the move and start this new adventure!
He’s a former ND in Altoona, Boise, and also worked at stations in Tucson, Seattle, Miami, Pittsburgh and Waterloo, IA.
Nelson
Longtime educator and former news director DICK NELSON is back home and on the mend after falling during a vertigo attack a few weeks ago. That fall sent him to the hospital several days for treatment of a cut on his head that took seven staples to fix. And all the happened in the middle of a move from his home to a condo. Dick taught for many years at both Kansas and Missouri, where he was the ND for KOMU-TV. He was a news director in several other markets and worked in Oklahoma City as well. Friends can cheer up up by sending him an email.
General Manager News and Notes:
Morrissey
One-time news director turned long-time general manager TIM MORRISSEY will retire later this year from his job as GM for WJCL-TV, Hearst’s ABC affiliate in Savannah, GA. He’s been GM there since 2014. Tim began his career with Hearst’s WISN-TV (also ABC) in Milwaukee, rising from production assistant to news director. He’s also served as VP of News for the NY Times Broadcast Group, was a GM in Charlotte, Oklahoma City, and Ft. Smith, AR, and news director in Baltimore, Wilkes-Barre, and also worked in New Orleans.
Ossenfort
KELO/KCLO-TV, Sioux Falls and Rapid City, SD…MARI OSSENFORT has been promoted to General Manager for this Nexstar owned CBS operation. This news release says it’s one of the largest coverage areas in the country, covering parts of SIX states. Mari’s been the General Sales Manager her since 2017 and replaces JAY HUIZENGA who is retiring after 40 years at the station, the last 13 as GM.
Webb
And congratulations to JAY WEBB, news director for WHSV-TV (ABC) and WSVF-TV (CBS/Fox) in Harrisonburg, VA, who is assuming additional duties as GM for this Gray Television owned operation. More details here. What the news release doesn’t mention is Jay’s unusual background: before his 2015 promotion to ND, he was the morning and noon meteorologist there. He’s also forecast weather in Roanoke.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 6, 2020:
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
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
WTVJ-TV 15000 SW 27th Street Miramar, FL 33027
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N Shelby Oaks Dr. #101, Memphis, TN 38133
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, Texas 79922
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KVAL/KMTR-TV 4575 Blanton Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611 (see ad above!)
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201 (see ad above!)
WETM-TV 101 East Water St. Elmira, NY 14901
WLFI-TV 2605 Yeager Rd. West Lafayette, IN 47906
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001
**: Spanish language station