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May 27, 2011

Greetings:

Happy Memorial Day to all.  Here in Indianapolis, of course, that means the Indianapolis 500.  If you’re going, a few newsies will be meeting at 10:30 race day morning at the base of the media tower.  We’d look forward to saying hi to you if you’re at the race.

Lots of activity for you to contemplate if you’re not going to the race.  There are FOUR new NDs and FOUR new ND openings this week.  Our list of open ND jobs now stands at 32.

We have a paid ad for one of those newly opened jobs, as well as an ad for an EP in Reno.  There are a few updates to our list of Other News Management Jobs, and, in Names in the News, a longtime ND gives up on retirement and heads north for a new challenge.

That’s all below, after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

Roman

WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH…ANDI ROMAN has resigned after two years as news director for this Raycom-owned CBS affiliate.  She was promoted to ND in May, 2009, from her previous role as Assistant ND.  She spent a total of ten years at the station, and told the staff she was leaving to spend more time with her two teenage sons.  Her replacement will be only the sixth ND in 32 years here (full disclosure:  I was one of those six, from 1983-1993.)

Sullivan

WJCL/WTGS-TV, Savannah, GA…veteran ND MICHAEL SULLIVAN has left this duopoly after almost four years in his second stint as ND here.  He rejoined the station in 2007 after serving a consultant to the stations.  He’d also been ND here from 2003-2006.  Michael’s also been an ND in Kansas City and Toledo (where we competed against each other).  This ABC/FOX duopoly is owned by New Vision Television.

WOAY-TV, Oak Hill, WV…longtime newsman BOB BRUNNER is retiring in August.  He’s been ND and anchor for this Thomas Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate since 2005.  He spent many years as an ND in the Charleston-Huntington, WV, market, served as an ND in Montgomery, and also worked in Knoxville.  He’s a past President of RTNDA (that role is now called Chairman).

WLUC-TV, Marquette, MI…is advertising for a new news director.  My records list BRIAN CABELL (formerly of CNN) as the ND here since 2004.  WLUC is an NBC affiliate and is owned by Barrington Broadcasting.

Newly Named News Directors:

KLUZ-TV, Albuquerque, NM…CARLOS RUBEN ZAPATA will be the next ND for this Entravision-owned station.  He’s worked in several markets as a reporter and anchor, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Hartford.

WCYB/WEMT, Bristol, VA…KEN SMITH returns to a newsroom as ND for this NBC/FOX duopoly in the Tri-Cities area.  Ken’s been helping care for his mother for most of the time since he left WZTV in Nashville as ND in August, 2009.  But his mom’s doing better and Ken’s back on the job.  He was the startup ND at WZTV, and spent nine years there. He’s also worked for three other Nashville stations, as well as in Cincinnati, Greensboro, NC, Shreveport, and Knoxville.  Ken also served as ND for the Orlando-based Health Network.   At WCYB, he replaces STEVE HAWKINS who left in March after more than 25 years as ND for this Bonten Media owned operation.

KUPB-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX…another Entravision owned-station has a new news director.  ALEJANDRO PARIENTE is a former ND in Chihuahua, a former anchor in Juarez, and the former Assistant Attorney General for Juarez.

Baldner

KHQA-TV, Quincy, IL…NORA BALDNER has been promoted to ND for this Barrington-owned CBS affiliate.  Longtime KHQA ND CAROL SOWERS is being promoted to VP of Public Affairs and will continue to anchor evening newscasts.  Sowers has been ND since 1996.  Baldner joined the station last August.  She’d earlier worked for competitor WGEM-TV and spent a short time running the Arthritis Foundation.  Nora’s also worked in Springfield, IL, and Columbia, MO.

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Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH:

WTOL-TV, Toledo’s News Leader, seeks an experienced News Director with a track record of effective team building, aggressive news coverage including demonstrable skills online and strong leadership skills.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss mobile strategies and the effective use of social media in the contemporary broadcast environment. The successful candidate will have examples of creative approaches to executing an established news brand and experience managing financial, technical and people resources. The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long range planning, special news coverage and station projects.

The News Director leads the station’s Content Department—the largest single department in the station– and is expected to work closely with other Department Heads. Candidates should have at least two years previous News Director experience and at five years previous experience in newsroom leadership roles.

WTOL is part of Raycom Media and is a CBS Television affiliate. Send resume and a letter of introduction to Steven Ackermann, Raycom Media Regional News Director via email to SAckermann@Raycommedia.com

No phone calls. EOE.

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Executive Producer, KRXI-TV, Reno, NV:

FOX 11 News in Reno, NV is look for an experienced Executive Producer for our 11@11 Local News. This news manager must have proven ability to lead our team to an even higher level of success.

Must have strong leadership and people skills, good news judgment, strong producing skills, an eye for maximizing unique web and social media content and know how to execute branding within a newscast. The Executive Producer will report to the General Manager and work closely with Creative Services.

FOX 11 News is part of COX Media Group. EOE

Email resume to: steve.cummings@coxinc.com

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Other News Management Openings:

Assistant News Director:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/22/11)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/15/11)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 5/8/11)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/1/11)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 4/22/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 4/15/11)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (listed 5/8/11)
WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY (new listing this week)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 3/31/11)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 2/25/11)

Executive News Producer:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (Weekend EP, listed 5/13/11)
KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 3/12/11)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 3/31/11)
KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, listed 5/8/11)
Northwest Cable News, Seattle, WA (AM & PM EP, listing revised this week)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/25/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, listed 3/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 4/9/11)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN  (relisted 4/15/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (2 openings, AM & afternoon, listing revised 4/15/11)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, relisted 4/15/11)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (AM EP, relisted 4/15/11)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 3/31/11)
KRXI-TV, Reno, NV (PM EP, listed 5/20/11, see ad above!)

Special Projects Producer:

WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (listed 5/20/11)
WSVN-TV, Miami, FL (relisted 4/15/11)

Managing Editor:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 4/15/11)

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Names in the News:

Harris

JOHN HARRIS decided retirement wasn’t his thing, so he’s back in the fray.  John retired from WRAL-TV in 2009 as Director of Programming.  He’d also been ND there, of course, as well as in Orlando and Greenville, South Carolina.  He’s now working as Station Manager for WAOW-TV in Wausaw, WI, part of the Quincy station group.  The move reunites John with his former boss in Raleigh, TOM ALLEN, who’s GM of the Quincy station in Madison, WI.  Friends can say hi via email to John at: jharris@waow.com

Veteran investigative reporter KARL IDSVOOG has co-authored a new book: Access with Attitude: An Advocate’s Guide to Freedom of Information in Ohio. Karl tells me while it focuses on the Ohio Public records law, the strategy sections of the book can be applied in any situation.

Old friend DAN DEVLIN of the Devlin Design Group (and a supporter of this newsletter) has been nominated for two of four Gold Award Finalists in the Promax/BDA Local Awards.  DDG was nominated for the company’s work for WHAM-TV in Rochester, NY, and WDAF-TV in Kansas City.  Winners will be named next month in Las Vegas.

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The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, May 27, 2011.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KMEX-TV 5999 Center Dr.                                  Los Angeles CA 90045  **
KTTV/KCOP-TV 1999 S. Bundy Dr.                Los Angeles CA 90025
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy.          Minneapolis MN 55427
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd.                 Denver CO 80203
KOIN-TV   222 SW Columbia St.                      Portland OR 97201
WTNH/WCTX-TV 8 Elm St.                              New Haven CT 06510
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St.                                     Portsmouth VA 23705
WPMI-TV 661 Azalea Road                              Mobile AL 36609
KMSB-TV     1855 N. 6th Ave.                             Tucson AZ 85705
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Road                           Flint MI 48503
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St.                   Toledo OH 43604
WMTW-TV 99 Danville Corner Road           Portland ME 04210
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St.                               Syracuse NY 13057
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St.                                          Columbia SC 29201
WJCL/WTGS-TV 10001 Abercorn St.      Savannah GA 31406
KVAL-TV   4575 Blanton Road                          Eugene OR 97405
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin                            San Luis Obispo CA 93405
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd.                     Rockford IL 61105
KTKA-TV   2121 SW Chelsea Dr.                       Topeka KS 66614
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave.                               Wausau WI 54403
WFXL-TV 1211 N. Slappey Blvd.                       Albany GA 31707
WOAY-TV Rte. 16 South                                 Oak Hill WV 25901
KIMT-TV 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave.                 Mason City IA 50401
WJHG-TV 8195 Front Beach Rd.                      Panama City Beach FL 32407
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St.                              Gainesville FL 32653
WUTR/WPNY/WFXV-TV 5956 Smith Hill Rd.  Utica NY 13502
KSWT-TV 1301 Third Ave.                                  Yuma AZ 85364
KYMA-TV 1385 S. Pacific Ave.                          Yuma AZ 85365
WLUC-TV 177 US Highway 41 East            Negaunee MI 49866
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                       Laredo TX 78045
KFBB-TV   3012 Highwoods Blvd.                    Great Falls MT 59403
KSAN/KLST-TV 2800 Armstrong                     San Angelo TX 76903

** Spanish language station

May 21, 2011

Greetings:

Qualifying for this year’s Indianapolis 500 begins tomorrow, but I’ve managed to step away from the anticipation to produce this week’s newsletter.

It wasn’t hard…there aren’t many changes.

Just ONE new ND opening, and ONE new ND in this week’s report, so our list of openings remains at 31.

But do read on.  We have a new AD for an EP in the city known as The Biggest Little City in the World, and one for an EP opening for the Weather Channel.  There’s one new opening in our list of Other News Management Openings.  And in Names in the News, the retirement of a longtime consultant, some new management hires, and details about two books written by people you may know.  One’s about our industry, the other not.

You’ll have to read on to learn more.

New News Director Openings:

Samp

WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA…APRIL SAMP is returning to Iowa after not a quite a year as ND here.  She tells me she wants to be closer to family there, and to spend more time with her four year old son.  She has taken a job as Marketing Director for Jackson’s International Auctions and Appraisals, an art auction company.  Before moving to Norfolk, April spent three years as ND for KWQC-TV in Davenport, IA, and two years as ND for KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids.  WAVY is an NBC affiliate owned by LIN Media.

Newly Named News Directors:

KTVE/KARD-TV, Monroe, LA…JOHN WALTON is the new ND for this Nexstar owned NBC/FOX duopoly.  He’s the ninth news director in less than ten years here. John has been an EP for Central Florida News 13, and earlier worked for News 10 Now, another cable news channel in New York.  He’s also worked in Baton Rouge, Austin, and Beaumont, TX.  BONNIE VAN‘s last day as ND here is this Friday (May 27th).  She’s leaving to follow her husband to a promotion in Shreveport after one year as ND here.

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Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, KRXI-TV, Reno, NV:

FOX 11 News in Reno, NV is look for an experienced Executive Producer for our 11@11 Local News. This news manager must have proven ability to lead our team to an even higher level of success.

Must have strong leadership and people skills, good news judgment, strong producing skills, an eye for maximizing unique web and social media content and know how to execute branding within a newscast. The Executive Producer will report to the General Manager and work closely with Creative Services.

FOX 11 News is part of COX Media Group. EOE

Email resume to: steve.cummings@coxinc.com

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Weekend EP, The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA

I.  OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for all aspects of Weekend Morning live programming.

II. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Determine daily editorial content, overall production elements, graphic support and contributions from bureaus and affiliate partners.  Supervise, coordinate, schedule, teach, guide, coach and work hand in hand with individual show producers.  Script approval on studio copy, pre-produced packages and series and live content from field reporters and meteorologists.  Producing in a control room, including multiple live shots from various locations.  Consult with Meteorologists during daily briefings.

III.  QUALIFICATIONS –

A.  KNOWLEDGE 10-15 years experience in live television news production.  Bachelor’s degree in communications, or related subject preferred.  Control room experience producing live news programs that contain live remote elements.  Must be able to work in a team environment with minimum supervision.  Advanced knowledge of computer newsroom systems.

B.  SKILLS REQUIRED Must be a leader.  Excellent writing skills.  Organizational skills.   Management skills.  Strict attention to detail.  Creativity.  Ability to work within deadlines and within a team environment.  Must be able to  clearly communicate with live crews in the field, providing clear directions and scripting information as well   studio talent and the broadcast operations crews.  Work well with others especially under stressful situations

Please email resumes to Rashida Jones (rjones@weather.com) for consideration.

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Other News Management Openings:

Assistant News Director:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/22/11)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/15/11)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted this week)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/1/11)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 4/22/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 4/15/11)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (listed 5/8/11)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 3/31/11)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 2/25/11)

Executive News Producer:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (Weekend EP, listed 5/13/11, see ad above!)
KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 3/12/11)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 3/31/11)
KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, listed 5/8/11)
Northwest Cable News, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 5/1/11)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/25/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, listed 3/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 4/9/11)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN  (relisted 4/15/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (2 openings, AM & afternoon, listing revised 4/15/11)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, relisted 4/15/11)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/15/11)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (AM EP, relisted 4/15/11)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 3/31/11)

Special Projects Producer:

WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (new listing this week)
WSVN-TV, Miami, FL (relisted 4/15/11)

Managing Editor:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 4/15/11)

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Names in the News:

Rodgers

JOHNATHAN RODGERS, a onetime ND at KNXT-TV (now KCBS-TV) in Los Angeles and a GM for WBBM-TV in Chicago is retiring in July.  He’s currently President of TVOne, a channel that targets an African-American audience.  During a long career in TV, Johnathan’s job ranged from reporter to head of the CBS stations division.

Northcott

Longtime consultant BRUCE NORTHCOTT is retiring.  He’s the ‘N’ in the CJ&N consulting firm which he helped found in 1998.  Before that, he spent 20 years with Frank N. Magid Associates, eventually rising to president there.  He’ll continue on the board of directors of CJ&N, and will occasionally work with some clients on a selective basis.  You can wish him well via an email sent to: bnorthcott@cjni.com

Jones

DAVE JONES is the new Assistant ND for WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA.  He’s currently an Assignment Editor for WSOC-TV in Charlotte.  It’s a return to Pennsylvania for Dave, who worked as a reporter in Johnstown and Erie and later worked on the Assignment Desk for WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh.  He later went on to manage the Washington Bureau for Sinclair Broadcasting before they closed that operation in 2009.

KRNV-TV in Reno has named MIKE LAFAVE as its new executive producer.  He’s currently the Senior Producer for KNOE-TV in Monroe, LA.  He’s also worked in Utica, NY.

Priddy

Two time RTNDA (now RTDNA) Chair BOB PRIDDY has released his fifth book, The Art of the Missouri Capitol. It’s a lavishly illustrated look at the varied decorations by some of the nation’s finest artists, sculptors, stained glass artisans and tapestry makers inside the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.  That’s where Bob is News Director of Missourinet, a statewide radio news network.  Learn more about the book (and place your order) by clicking here.

There’s a new book out that aims to help aspiring videojournalists how to work alone as a reporter and videographer.  It’s titled  Going Solo: Doing Videojournalism in the 21st Century and presents useful tips on how to successfully multitask as a VJ:  performing interviews, shooting cover video as well as writing and editing a story–all while working alone.  It’s written by Hofstra’s G. STUART SMITH, who’s won awards for spot news, feature and investigative reporting as well as videography.  Click here to learn more about the book and order your copy.

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The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, May 20, 2011.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KMEX-TV 5999 Center Dr.                                  Los Angeles CA 90045  **
KTTV/KCOP-TV 1999 S. Bundy Dr.                Los Angeles CA 90025
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy.          Minneapolis MN 55427
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd.                 Denver CO 80203
KOIN-TV   222 SW Columbia St.                      Portland OR 97201
WTNH/WCTX-TV 8 Elm St.                              New Haven CT 06510
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St.                               Portsmouth VA 23705
KLUZ-TV 2725 F. Broadbent Pwky NE           Albuquerque NM 87107 **
WPMI-TV 661 Azalea Road                              Mobile AL 36609
KMSB-TV     1855 N. 6th Ave.                             Tucson AZ 85705
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Road                           Flint MI 48503
WMTW-TV 99 Danville Corner Road           Portland ME 04210
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St.                               Syracuse NY 13057
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St.                                          Columbia SC 29201
WCYB-TV 101 Lee St.                                         Bristol VA 24201
KVAL-TV   4575 Blanton Road                          Eugene OR 97405
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin                            San Luis Obispo CA 93405
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd.                     Rockford IL 61105
KTKA-TV   2121 SW Chelsea Dr.                       Topeka KS 66614
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave.                               Wausau WI 54403
WFXL-TV 1211 N. Slappey Blvd.                       Albany GA 31707
KIMT-TV 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave.                 Mason City IA 50401
WJHG-TV 8195 Front Beach Rd.                      Panama City Beach FL 32407
KUPB-TV 10313 W. Country Rd. #117             Midland TX 79706  **
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St.                              Gainesville FL 32653
WUTR/WPNY/WFXV-TV 5956 Smith Hill Rd.  Utica NY 13502
KSWT-TV 1301 Third Ave.                                  Yuma AZ 85364
KYMA-TV 1385 S. Pacific Ave.                          Yuma AZ 85365
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                       Laredo TX 78045
KFBB-TV   3012 Highwoods Blvd.                    Great Falls MT 59403
KSAN/KLST-TV 2800 Armstrong                     San Angelo TX 76903

** Spanish language station

May 14, 2011

Greetings:

We’re still in a rating period but there’s a lot of movement among news directors this week.

We have FOUR new openings to report, with THREE new NDs to introduce you to, although all three newly named NDs are not really ‘new’ news directors.

Those changes bring our list of available ND jobs to 31.

We have THREE new ads this week, including one for an EP opening at the Weather Channel.  And we have two ads from a top 15 market station which has producer openings.

Unfortunately, this week’s report includes FIVE obituaries.

And there’s just one Name in the News, so it may be time to remind you that we welcome your submissions via email.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

WPMI-TV, Mobile, AL…WES FINLEY is leaving to become ND for WKEF/WRGT-TV in Dayton, OH.  More on that below.  Wes has been ND for this Newport-owned NBC affiliate since November, 2008.

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY…longtime ND JIM TORTORA has left this Newport owned station where he’s been news director for almost ten years.  Jim was promoted to ND for this ABC affiliate in 2001.

WSAW-TV, Wausau, WI…SUSAN RAMSETT is leaving one Gray TV owned CBS station for another.  She’s been named ND of KOLN/KGIN-TV in Lincoln, NE.  More on that below.  She also anchors for WSAW, where she’s been ND for more than four years.

Cruz

KYMA-TV, Yuma, AZ…LUIS CRUZ is returning to an on-air job, joining KGTV in San Diego as a reporter after the current rating period.  Luis is leaving this Intermountain West Communications (formerly Sunbelt) owned NBC affiliate where he’s been the ND for three years.  It’s his second stint as ND here.  He previously had worked on-air for KYMA’s sister-station, KVBC-TV (now KSNV-TV), in Las Vegas, as well as in several California markets.  The move to KGTV reunites him with ND JOEL DAVIS, who was the ND when Luis worked for KFSN-TV in Fresno.

Newly Named News Directors:

Finley

WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH…as mentioned above, WES FINLEY will be the next ND.  Wes has been ND for WPMI-TV in Mobile for the last 2 1/2  years, but he worked in both Lexington and Louisville before that, and he tells me the move will bring him and his family closer to relatives in Kentucky.  Wes has also worked in Harrisburg, PA, where he was the Assistant ND for WHP-TV before being promoted within Newport.  He replaces PAT CASEY at this Sinclair owned ABC/FOX duopoly.  You’ll remember that Pat died in March after a long battle with a brain tumor.

Dennison

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, Va…DAN DENNISON returns to a newsroom as he’s been named ND for this Schurz Broadcasting owned CBS station.  Dan’s been an ND in Honolulu, Colorado Springs, and San Luis Obispo, CA, and also worked as a reporter for two stations in Denver.  Since December, 2008 (when he left KHNL-TV in Honolulu when his job was eliminated), Dan’s been working for the NOAA/Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in Hawaii, beginning as media coordinator and more recently as constituent outreach & partnerships coordinator. At WDBJ, he replaces AMY MORRIS who left the station in March after almost four years as ND.

Ramsett

KOLN/KGIN-TV, Lincoln, NE…as reported above, SUSAN RAMSETT has been promoted to News Director for this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate.  She’s currently the ND and anchor for Gray’s WSAW-TV in Wausau, WI.  She’s a Wisconsin native, has worked for two stations in the LaCrosse market, and also spent two years working for a medical foundation.  At KOLN/KGIN, she replaces JERRY HOWARD who left the station last month after more than three years as news director.

Finally, one clarification from last week.  We reported that BRAD NEUHOFF had left WIS-TV in Columbia, SC.  He is actually leaving that Raycom-owned NBC affiliate next month.

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Help Wanted Ads:

Weekend EP, The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA

I.  OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for all aspects of Weekend Morning live programming.

II. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Determine daily editorial content, overall production elements, graphic support and contributions from bureaus and affiliate partners.  Supervise, coordinate, schedule, teach, guide, coach and work hand in hand with individual show producers.  Script approval on studio copy, pre-produced packages and series and live content from field reporters and meteorologists.  Producing in a control room, including multiple live shots from various locations.  Consult with Meteorologists during daily briefings.

III.  QUALIFICATIONS –

A.  KNOWLEDGE 10-15 years experience in live television news production.  Bachelor’s degree in communications, or related subject preferred.  Control room experience producing live news programs that contain live remote elements.  Must be able to work in a team environment with minimum supervision.  Advanced knowledge of computer newsroom systems.

B.  SKILLS REQUIRED Must be a leader.  Excellent writing skills.  Organizational skills.   Management skills.  Strict attention to detail.  Creativity.  Ability to work within deadlines and within a team environment.  Must be able to  clearly communicate with live crews in the field, providing clear directions and scripting information as well   studio talent and the broadcast operations crews.  Work well with others especially under stressful situations

Please email resumes to Rashida Jones (rjones@weather.com) for consideration.

**** ***** ****

11:00 AM Producer, KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA:

Candidate must be an experienced journalist with extremely strong writing, producing and leadership skills to take over our 11am newscast Monday through Friday. Candidate must be plugged into the day’s news and ready to bring story ideas every morning. Candidate must work well under pressure, be aggressive with breaking news and willing to throw the rundown out the window.

We’re looking for someone who is imaginative and knows how to weave a newscast with a variety of stories. It’s crucial that candidate has strong skills in social media as it applies to broadcast. ***Do not apply for this position if you have not produced television newscasts in a medium market for at least 3 years*** Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Follow this link to our career website to view the complete job description and fill out the online application for this position.

No phone calls please and no physical resumes accepted.

**** ***** ****

Producer, KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA:

Candidate must be an experienced journalist with extremely strong writing, producing and leadership skills. Candidate must be plugged into the day’s news and ready to bring story ideas to the editorial meetings.

We’re looking for someone with outstanding writing skills who can produce compelling and creative newscasts with high production value. Candidate must be aggressive with breaking news and willing to throw the rundown out the window. Candidate must be able to work well under pressure.

We’re looking for someone who is imaginative and knows how to weave a newscast with a variety of stories.  It’s crucial that candidate has strong skills in social media as it applies to broadcast. ***Do not apply for this position if you have not produced television newscasts in a medium market for at least 3 years*** Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Follow this link to our career website to view the complete job description and fill out the online application for this position.

No phone calls please and no physical resumes accepted.

**** ***** ****

News Director, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:

BLOCKBUSTER DUOPOLY SEEKS M/F NEWS DIRECTOR FOR LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP

Denver, CO FOX/CW duopoly. 71 hours of live news and local per week. 140 professionals in the combined news staff. Ingest to playback HD. Building ratings and headed for the top.

Owned by a progressive private company and led by an experienced GM. Are you up for the challenge?

Send link or DVD of your current newscasts, a complete resume and qualified references to:

Mercedes Romero
FOX 31 KDVR and KWGN 2
100 E. Speer Blvd.
Denver, CO 80203

or via email to: mercedes.romero@kdvr.com

EOE M/F/V/D

**** ***** ****

**** ***** ****

Other News Management Openings:

Assistant News Director:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/22/11)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/15/11)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted this week)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/1/11)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 4/22/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 4/15/11)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (listed 5/8/11)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 3/31/11)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 2/25/11)

Executive News Producer:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (Weekend EP new listing this week, see ad above!)
KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 3/12/11)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 3/31/11)
KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, listed 5/8/11)
Northwest Cable News, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 5/1/11)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/25/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, listed 3/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 4/9/11)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN  (relisted 4/15/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (2 openings, AM & afternoon, listing revised 4/15/11)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, relisted 4/15/11)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/15/11)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (AM EP, relisted 4/15/11)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 3/31/11)

Special Projects Producer:

WSVN-TV, Miami, FL (relisted 4/15/11)

Managing Editor:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 4/15/11)

**** ***** ****

Obituaries:

Moen

Our best wishes to the family, friends, and co-workers of KOMO-TV (Seattle) producer TRICIA MOEN, who died Friday, May 6th, at the age of 39.  She battled colon cancer for more than two years. Tricia was graduated from Washington State University and also worked for KCPQ-TV in Seattle.   Here’s a link to an obituary the station aired.

One time CNN President BURT REINHARDT died Tuesday, May 10th, at the age of 91 after suffering a series of strokes.  He worked at CNN from 1979 to 2003, and served as President from 1982-1990.

Veteran network news executive JEFF GRALNIK died Monday, May 9, at the age of 72.  During a long career, he worked at ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC, and most recently served as a consultant to NBC News President STEVE CAPUS.

TINA GULLAND, a one-time bureau chief for Post-Newsweek’s Washington bureau, died Wednesday, May 11, from lung cancer.  She was 62 years old.  She spent most of her long career in Washington, including two radio news director positions.

MIKE FLANAGAN, husband of MARIE CURKAN FLANAGAN, died Sunday, May 9th, at the age of 61.  Marie is a former ND for KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, the first woman ND in the Gannett company. She also worked for Gannett in Minneapolis, where she met her Mike.  They were married for 22 years.  Marie also worked in Hartford/New Haven, CT.  She spent a number of years teaching after leaving KOCO, and now lives in Florida.  She retired from teaching at the University of South Florida last December.  I’m told she no longer uses email.

**** ***** ****

Name in the News:

Dankert

GEOFF DANKERT is headed south to become News Content Director for KPRC-TV, Post-Newsweek’s NBC affiliate in Houston.  He’ll report to VP/Managing Director, News DEB COLLURA who oversees KPRC’s newsroom in addition to her Post Newsweek corporate duties.  Geoff has been the Assistant ND for WFLD-TV in Chicago, where he spend 12 years in a variety of roles.  He’s also worked in Detroit (two stations), Tampa, Grand Rapids, MI, and Traverse City, MI.

**** ***** ****

The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, May 13, 2011.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KMEX-TV 5999 Center Dr.                                  Los Angeles CA 90045  **
KTTV/KCOP-TV 1999 S. Bundy Dr.                Los Angeles CA 90025
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy.          Minneapolis MN 55427
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd.         Denver CO 80203 (see ad above!)
KOIN-TV   222 SW Columbia St.                      Portland OR 97201
WTNH/WCTX-TV 8 Elm St.                              New Haven CT 06510
KLUZ-TV 2725 F. Broadbent Pwky NE           Albuquerque NM 87107 **
WPMI-TV 661 Azalea Road                        Mobile AL 36609
KMSB-TV     1855 N. 6th Ave.                             Tucson AZ 85705
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Road                           Flint MI 48503
WMTW-TV 99 Danville Corner Road           Portland ME 04210
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St.                         Syracuse NY 13057
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St.                                          Columbia SC 29201
WCYB-TV 101 Lee St.                                         Bristol VA 24201
KVAL-TV   4575 Blanton Road                          Eugene OR 97405
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin                            San Luis Obispo CA 93405
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd.                     Rockford IL 61105
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd.                  West Monroe LA 71292
KTKA-TV   2121 SW Chelsea Dr.                       Topeka KS 66614
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave.                         Wausau WI 54403
WFXL-TV 1211 N. Slappey Blvd.                       Albany GA 31707
KIMT-TV 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave.                 Mason City IA 50401
WJHG-TV 8195 Front Beach Rd.                      Panama City Beach FL 32407
KUPB-TV 10313 W. Country Rd. #117             Midland TX 79706  **
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St.                              Gainesville FL 32653
WUTR/WPNY/WFXV-TV 5956 Smith Hill Rd.  Utica NY 13502
KSWT-TV 1301 Third Ave.                                  Yuma AZ 85364
KYMA-TV 1385 S. Pacific Ave.                   Yuma AZ 85365
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                       Laredo TX 78045
KFBB-TV   3012 Highwoods Blvd.                    Great Falls MT 59403
KSAN/KLST-TV 2800 Armstrong                     San Angelo TX 76903

** Spanish language station

May 8, 2011

Greetings:

Happy Mother’s Day to all.

ONE new News Director opening this week, while THREE open positions have been filled, bringing our list of open ND jobs to 30.

We have a new paid ad for one of those openings (a duopoly in a top 20 market) along with a repeat of last week’s ad for an Assistant ND job in a top 30 market.

We have a handful of new listings in the list of Other News Management Openings, some news about two newsies working for in different roles at NBC, and details about the deaths of the mothers of two veteran o-and-o news directors.

You’ll find all that below, after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

WIS-TV, Columbia, SC…BRAD NEUHOFF is leaving this Raycom owned NBC affiliate next month.  He’s been ND there since September, 2008, and has previously worked in Minneapolis, Denver, Los Angeles, and Charleston, SC, where he was a sports anchor/reporter.

Newly Named News Directors:

Passman

KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM….Albuquerque native LAURIE PASSMAN returns to this Hubbard-owned NBC affiliate as ND.  Laurie started her career as an intern here, worked on the assignment desk and as a producer before moving to KTVK-TV in Phoenix as a producer in 1999.  She moved to KNXV-TV in Phoenix as a morning show EP, then returned to KTVK where she is currently both EP of the morning news and Assistant ND.  At KOB, Laurie becomes the sixth ND in eight years as she replaces JULIE SZULCZEWSKI who left the station last month after one year to become ND for WSOC-TV in Charlotte.

Brown

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…Oklahoma native MATT BROWN (he grew up 60 miles from Tulsa) becomes ND for this Newport-owned FOX affiliate at the end of the month.  Matt’s currently the Assistant ND for KXAN-TV in Austin, worked for KAKE-TV in Wichita, and spent 12 years at KXII-TV in Sherman, TX…where he was ND for almost five years.  He replaces TODD SPESSARD at KOKI. Todd left in March to become PM Content Director for KWTV in Oklahoma City.  Todd was ND there for about 2 1/2 years.

KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX…veteran ND JON McCALL is the new ND here and apparently has been for a few months.  He’d been filling since HENRY MEDRANO left the station last August after two years on the job.  Jon’s a former ND in Decatur, IL, Bangor, ME, and Harrisburg, PA.  KVEO is an NBC affiliate and is owned by Communications Corporation of America.

**** ***** ****

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:

BLOCKBUSTER DUOPOLY SEEKS M/F NEWS DIRECTOR FOR LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP

Denver, CO FOX/CW duopoly. 71 hours of live news and local per week. 140 professionals in the combined news staff. Ingest to playback HD. Building ratings and headed for the top.

Owned by a progressive private company and led by an experienced GM. Are you up for the challenge?

Send link or DVD of your current newscasts, a complete resume and qualified references to:

Mercedes Romero
FOX 31 KDVR and KWGN 2
100 E. Speer Blvd.
Denver, CO 80203

or via email to: mercedes.romero@kdvr.com

EOE M/F/V/D

**** ***** ****

ASS’T. NEWS DIR., WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN ( JOB #300-CW)

One of the country’s preeminent stations is seeking an Assistant News Director. Are you looking for a news organization committed to journalistic excellence? How about a company committed to giving you the resources to be number one?

Indiana’s News Leader, WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, seeks an Assistant News Director to help lead its dynamic and award-winning news team. The Assistant News Director oversees a large news staff and manages the day-to-day coverage on all platforms, and directly supervises reporters’ enterprising efforts. Indianapolis is one of America’s most affordable and livable cities. Ideal candidates must have a proven track record and a minimum of 5 years experience as a news manager. News Director experience is preferred.

Leading candidate must also demonstrate exceptional news judgment and newsgathering skills. Superior writing and storytelling skills are also required.

Qualified candidates may apply online here.

DISPATCH BROADCAST GROUP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

WE ARE A SMOKE-FREE AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.

**** ***** ****

Other News Management Openings:

Assistant News Director:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/22/11)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/15/11)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted this week)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/1/11, see ad above)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 4/22/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 4/15/11)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 3/31/11)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (new listing this week)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 3/31/11)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 2/25/11)

Executive News Producer:

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 3/12/11)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 3/31/11)
KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, new listing this week)
Northwest Cable News, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 5/1/11)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/25/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, listed 3/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 4/9/11)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN  (relisted 4/15/11)
WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 4/15/11)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (2 openings, AM & afternoon, listing revised 4/15/11)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, relisted 4/15/11)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/15/11)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (AM EP, relisted 4/15/11)
KVOA-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 3/31/11)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (relisted 4/15/11)

Special Projects Producer:

WSVN-TV, Miami, FL (relisted 4/15/11)

Managing Editor:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 4/15/11)

**** ***** ****

Names in the News:

Pena

Assistant News Director CHRIS PENA is leaving WMAQ-TV in Chicago for an as yet undisclosed job at NBC News, according to ROBERT FEDER’s blog.  Chris has been at WMAQ for more than two years, worked as an EP for NBC’s WTVJ-TV in Miami, and was ND for the Telemundo station in Houston.

CHRIS LICHT, EP of MSNBC’s Morning Joe program, has written a book about his experience with a brain hemorrhage.  What I Learned When I Almost Died will be released later this month and includes details about how Vice President JOE BIDEN got involved in his care.  Chris worked for two NBC o-and-o’s (KNTV and KNBC) before moving to MSNBC.

Our sympathy to two o-and-o news directors who’ve lost their mothers in the past few weeks.

HENRIETTA “BUNNY” GRAVES died April 30th, in her hometown of Belleville, IL.  Mrs. Graves was the mother of longtime WLS-TV (Chicago) News Director JENNIFER GRAVES.  She was 76 years old and died of cancer.  You can send Jennifer condolences by email to: jennifer.l.graves@abc.com.

LINDA CAROL WIELAND, mother of KCNC-TV (Denver) News Director TIM WIELAND, died suddenly April 22nd at the age of 66.  She had just visited Tim and his family (including a new grandson) a few weeks ago.  A note of sympathy would reach Tim at: twieland@cbs.com

**** ***** ****

The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Sunday, May 8, 2011.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KMEX-TV 5999 Center Dr.                                  Los Angeles CA 90045  **
KTTV/KCOP-TV 1999 S. Bundy Dr.                Los Angeles CA 90025
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy.          Minneapolis MN 55427
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 Speer Blvd.         Denver CO 80203 (see ad above!)
KOIN-TV   222 SW Columbia St.                      Portland OR 97201
WTNH/WCTX-TV 8 Elm St.                              New Haven CT 06510
KLUZ-TV 2725 F. Broadbent Pwky NE           Albuquerque NM 87107 **
WKEF/WRGT-TV 45 Broadcast Plaza            Dayton OH 45408
KMSB-TV     1855 N. 6th Ave.                             Tucson AZ 85705
WDBJ-TV 2807 Hershberger Road                Roanoke VA 24017
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Road                           Flint MI 48503
WMTW-TV 99 Danville Corner Road           Portland ME 04210
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St.                                      Columbia SC 29201
WCYB-TV 101 Lee St.                                         Bristol VA 24201
KOLN/KGIN-TV 40th & W Streets                Lincoln NE 68503
KVAL-TV   4575 Blanton Road                          Eugene OR 97405
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin                            San Luis Obispo CA 93405
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd.                     Rockford IL 61105
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd.                  West Monroe LA 71292
KTKA-TV   2121 SW Chelsea Dr.                       Topeka KS 66614
WFXL-TV 1211 N. Slappey Blvd.                       Albany GA 31707
KIMT-TV 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave.                 Mason City IA 50401
WJHG-TV 8195 Front Beach Rd.                      Panama City Beach FL 32407
KUPB-TV 10313 W. Country Rd. #117             Midland TX 79706  **
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St.                              Gainesville FL 32653
WUTR/WPNY/WFXV-TV 5956 Smith Hill Rd.  Utica NY 13502
KSWT-TV 1301 Third Ave.                                  Yuma AZ 85364
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                       Laredo TX 78045
KFBB-TV   3012 Highwoods Blvd.                    Great Falls MT 59403
KSAN/KLST-TV 2800 Armstrong                     San Angelo TX 76903

** Spanish language station

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