January 12, 2020
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A busy week for updates!
Big news from Nexstar today as the company announces it will launch a three hour prime time national newscast on its newly acquired WGN America. As you know, the company bought Tribune last fall and now owns WGN-TV in Chicago, and WGN America which is seen in 75 million homes.
Stasi
Lyons
The new newscast will be overseen by veteran WGN ND JENNIFER LYONS who’s been named VP/News for WGN America. She’ll be replaced as WGN-TV ND by DOMINICK STASI who’s been an EP at WGN for the past six years. He’s also worked at two other Chicago stations.
There are a lot more details in the company’s news release.
Who knows what the rest of the week will bring? Whatever it does, we’ll recap all this week’s news in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
gevers
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A first time news director will face a big challenges as she ascends to the ‘big chair’.
Wolfe
NICOLE WOLFE, currently the assistant news director for Scripps’s WFTS-TV (ABC) in Tampa-St. Petersburg, has been named ND for the company’s WSFL-TV in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, where she’ll oversee a startup news operation there. The news came in this email from GM BILL SIEGEL.
Nicole has been at WFTS for just under a year, but has considerable experience in large markets. Her Linkedin page has her story.
We told you last month that Bill would be the GM for this CW affiliate. He spent the last four years as senior director of content strategy.
One other item: SHAYLA TEATER has been promoted to ND for Tegna’s KTHV-TV in Little Rock
More on both these stories in our full report this weekend.
regards,
gevers
Monday, January 13, 2020 UPDATE:
A new job for a veteran news executive.
Swenson
HELEN SWENSON has been named Vice President, Content for Spectrum News NY1, the 24 hour cable news operation in New York. Details in this news release from the company this morning.
Helen most recently was an Executive Producer for TEGNA, working primarily on talk shows. She’s a former general manager (WIAT-TV in Birmingham), news director (KIRO-TV in Seattle and WPEC-TV in West Palm Beach), a consultant for Magid, and also worked in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Miami, and for the Weather Channel.
More in our full newsletter this weekend.
And…a slight correction to our obituary mention for former Indiana ND PHIL LENGYEL which we had in last night’s newsletter. He was ND for WSJV-TV which is in South Bend, IN, not Fort Wayne as I mistakenly told you last night. Apologies.
regards,
gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
This edition of our newsletter may have more news than the last three or four combined.
There are THREE new news directors and TWO new ND openings, but both were created by people being promoted to new jobs inside their current companies.
That brings our always unofficial list of openings to 31, with ONE of those openings featured in a paid help wanted ad.
Speaking of ads, we welcome both Devlin Design Group AND Stephen Arnold Music back for 2020 as supporters of this effort. We also shared earlier that Stringr! is back for another year. We appreciate their support and I encourage you to check out their ads when you see them.
As I mentioned, lots of news in every section. TWO obituaries, one of a former group head and another for a former Indiana news director who went on to have a long career in marketing at Disney.
Some news managers on the move in our Names in the News section, and interesting other stories, including one about a consultant who uses neuroscience testing in his training. And several GM items including a promotion for a New Orleans GM.
All that and more below!
Newly Named News Directors:
Lewis
KGTV, San Diego, CA…in one of TWO ND jobs filled by Scripps this week (and reported to you in an UPDATE), DORIS LEWIS has been upped to ND here. GM LEON CLARK shared the news with the staff. Doris has worked there 20 years, having joined as producer in 2000, moved to EP in 2006 and assistant ND in 2015. Doris replaces ED CHAPUIS who was promoted to GM of sister-station KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, CA, last month.
Lopez
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK…and the second Scripps ND hire found GERARDO LOPEZ moving from Assistant ND at sister station KMGH-TV in Denver to this NBC affiliate. He’s been the interim ND here since SCOTT FITZGERALD left in November after less than a year as ND. Gerardo becomes the fourth ND in less than three years here. He’s worked in many major markets in news management jobs.
Snuffer
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE…MIKE SNUFFER has been named news director for this Standard Media owned ABC affiliate. Mike just finished 16 years as ND for WSIL-TV in Harrisburg, IL. Mike’s a former ND for KLBK/KAMC-TV in Lubbock and KCEN-TV in Temple, TX. At KLKN, he replaces MARK HAGGAR who left the station late last year after 16 years as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Doerr
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA…we told you earlier this week that veteran broadcaster STEVE DOERR would be leaving this Meredith owned CBS affiliate after 2 1/2 years as ND. He’s been promoted to GM for the company’s Springfield, MA, operation which is branded as Western Mass News, aka WGGB-TV (ABC), WGGB-2 (FOX) and WSHM-TV (CBS) in Springfield, MA. The full story in this news release from the company which fills in some of Steve’s varied background.
Cooper
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA…after 24 years in the newsroom there, NOAH COOPER is moving to a new role with parent company Tegna. His last day as ND in this coming Friday and then he becomes Senior Content Recruiter. Noah tells me he will be focused on finding producers for all TEGNA stations.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
News Director WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA:
WCAV in Charlottesville, VA is seeking a highly motivated News Director to lead our talented staff.
Duties:
Plan, staff and train news department
Develop news coverage for station and digital platforms
Quality control news stories to correct errors and improve content
Develop strategy for news content to meet station goals while collaborating with Creative Services and Sales departments to ensure those goals are met.
Skills:
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Able to use Microsoft Office
Ability to meet deadlines and priorities (prioritize) assignments
Ability to work as a team leader for news staff
Excellent problem-solving skills
Be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Requirements:
5 years working in a newsroom
2 years working as a news director or assistant news director
Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or related field or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent news judgment, motivational skills, and the ability to find and develop talent.
Send resume to: John Cochrane at jcochrane@lockwoodbroadcast.com
Lockwood Broadcast Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Pre-employment drug test is required along with a background screen as allowed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (new listing this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (new listing this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/8/19)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 1/5/20)
WACH-TV, Columbia SC (listed 11/10/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted this week)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 12/8/19)
KRCG-TV, Jefferson City, MO (relisted 11/24/19)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 11/17/19)
KNPN/KNPG/KCJO-TV, St. Joseph, MO (listed 12/15/19)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 12/22/19)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 12/8/19)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/15/19)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 11/10/19)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 1/5/20)
Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (listed 11/24/19)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/22/19)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 11/17/19)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, relisted 12/1/19)
KSND-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/19)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/22/19)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 1/5/20)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (Dayside EP, relisted 12/1/19)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listing revised 12/22/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (2 openings, EP and EP/Innovation, revised 12/22/19)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 12/15/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, relisted this week)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (new listing this week)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 12/15/19)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (PM EP, listing revised 12/15/19)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 1/5/20)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listing revised 12/8/19)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (listed 12/8/19)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (relisted 1/5/20)
WKBN-TV, Youngstown, OH (new listing this week)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 12/22/19)
KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (listed 12/22/19)
WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV (relisted 11/17/19)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 12/8/19)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 1/5/12)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 12/1/19)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 1/5/20:
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (Assignment Desk Manager)
Listed 12/22/19:
E. W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Director of News Content Strategy)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)
WJET-TV, Erie, PA (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 11/17/19:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Content Manager)
Obituaries:
Chaseman
JOEL CHASEMAN, who held a variety of important and interesting jobs in his career, died yesterday at the age of 93. Cause was listed as complications from a fall. He spent 17 years as head of Post-Newsweek stations, ran Westinghouse Broadcasting, and was the GM for WINS-AM when that New York City radio station moved to an all news format. He also ran the company that produced The Steve Allen Show.
Lengyel
PHIL LENGYEL, who was a news director for WSJV-TV in Fort Wayne South Bend in the 80’s, died December 15th of cardiac arrest. He was 70. Phil was better known (outside of TV) as a longtime marketing executive for Disney. He spent 23 years at the company, joining as a senior publicist and rising to executive positions in marketing. He also spent six years here in Indianapolis in a marketing role for the company that owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500.
Names in the News (and other items):
Lots of items this week!
RTDNF named a whole bunch of winners of its First Amendment Awards this week. The two names perhaps most involved in local news management are Hearst’s Senior VP/News BARB MAUSHARD and former NBC NewsChannel President BOB HORNER. Click here to read all about each of the winners.
Former WBFF-TV (Baltimore/Sinclair/Fox) ND MIKE TOMKO is the new director of communications for the American Farm Bureau. He left WBFF in December after seven years as ND and 17 at the station.
Sheerin
BILL SHEERIN moves from WFXT-TV (Cox Media Group/Fox) in Boston to Hearst’s WCVB-TV (ABC) there as the Managing Editor. He spent the last 17 years as the night assignment editor at WFXT and earlier worked at WTVT-TV in Tampa.
JASON OLSON has been promoted to Assistant ND for Graham Media’s WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando. He’s worked there in a number of roles for eleven years, most recently as Assignment Manager. Jason’s worked in Tampa and for three other Orlando news operations.
Lopez-Isa
TONY LOPEZ-ISA joins KGTV in San Diego…that’s the Scripps owned ABC affiliate. there..as Senior Content Editor. He held the same job at Scripps sister station KSHB-TV in Kansas City. Tony’s also worked in San Francisco, Washington, Miami and Providence.
RICHARD WASHINGTON III leaves NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia (where he was an EP) to join Tegna’s WCNC-TV in Charlotte as Assistant News Director. Richard’s also been an EP in Baltimore.
JAMES GANLEY returns to Hearst, this time at WISN-TV in Milwaukee as an executive producer. He formerly was a producer for the company’s Sacramento station, KCRA-TV. In between, he worked in Flint and earlier worked in Rochester, NY.
NBC is shutting down Peacock Productions, which focused primarily on documentaries and news specials.
There’s one fewer voice covering local TV news with the announcement this week that longtime Dallas TV writer ED BARK was shuttering his website. Bark covered the TV beat for the Dallas Morning News for more than 26 years before launching his own website in 2006.
Newell
Finally, longtime TV consultant GRAEME NEWELL and his unique home office working situation are profiled in this column. And Graeme sent along this very short video explaining how he uses neuroscience testing to identify the most powerful elements in TV newscasts.
General Manager News and Notes:
Ingram
WVUE-TV (New Orleans) GM TIM INGRAM is being promoted at Gray Television. Effective with the retirement of BRAD STREIT, Tim will become Senior Vice President-Local Media for the company, overseeing a number of Gray’s stations. More details about his new role and Brad’s career in this news release.
Dalbey
After eleven years as general manager, PAT DALBEY retired Friday as GM for Scripps’ WLEX-TV in Lexington, KY. He and his wife plan to move to Hilton Head. More in this story from the station’s website.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 12, 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
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
WSFL-TV 500 E. Broward Blvd. # 800 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394
WFTV 490 E. South St., Orlando, FL 32801
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTTV/WXIN-TV 6910 Network Place Indianapolis, IN 46278
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave Norfolk, VA 23510
KTHV-TV 720 S Izard St, Little Rock, AR 72201
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
KREM-TV 4103 S Regal St, Spokane, WA 99223
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
WTAJ-TV 5000 6th Ave # 1, Altoona, PA 16602
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Road West Monroe, LA 71292
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
WCAV-TV 999 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (see ad above!)
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KHQA-TV 301 S 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
**: Spanish language station