April 22, 2011
Greetings:
THREE new openings, two of them created by departures of long tenured news directors, top the newsletter this week. And there’s ONE newly named news director, leaving our list of openings at 33.
We have the full list of Regional Edward R. Murrow Award winners, along with the story of a new job for the RTDNA Chair-elect. There’s one other item in Names in the News.
Also this week, obituaries of two former news directors, one from West Virginia and the other from California. We have a few new Assistant ND openings in our listing of Other News Management Openings, and repeats of ads for two news managers in top 15 markets.
All that and more about this week’s changes.
New News Director Openings:
Rios
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA…JOSE RIOS is being promoted within Fox. Beginning June 1, he’ll be the company’s VP of Digital News Applications. Jose has worked at the station since 1992, when he first joined as Managing Editor and was promoted to news director later that year. He’d previously been ND for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles.
Lindner
KARE-TV, Minneapolis, MN…we told you earlier this week that longtime ND TOM LINDNER was leaving this Gannett-owned NBC affiliate after 19 years at the station and 15 as ND. Tom’s staff paid tribute to him in this lengthy story which aired Thursday, certainly an unusual occurrence in a day and time when most stations refuse to acknowledge staff changes. Tom also served as Assistant ND here, worked at two other Twin Cities stations, and also worked for WMAQ-TV in Chicago.
Schermer
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA…DAVE SCHERMER, who’s been ND for this NBC affiliate since 2006, is leaving. He told the local newspaper he plans to stay in the area and focus on building informational websites. He’s also worked as a special projects producer in San Diego and as a reporter in Sacramento. He’ll stay at this Cordillera owned station for a few more weeks.
Newly Named News Directors:
Cisneros
KTAZ-TV, Phoenix, AZ…JULIO CISNEROS has been named ND for the Telemundo o-and-o. He has been Digital Production Director for Entravision in Phoenix, managing three websites. He’s a former ND and anchor for KREN-TV in Reno and has also worked in Sacramento. He replaces JUAN VILLA who left the station in January to become ND for KTVW-TV, the Univision station in Phoenix.
One clarification from last week’s edition. We reported MATT STEVENS was the new ND/Anchor for KFBB-TV in Great Falls, MT. Matt tells me he’s the interim ND there, and we have added that opening back to the list of open ND jobs. And the emailed version of this newsletter inexplicably omitted the last name of new WDAZ-TV ND CHRIS REGIMBAL in reporting his promotion last week. Apologies and congratulations again to Chris.
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HELP WANTED ADS:
Assistant News Director, KHOU-TV, Houston, TX:
KHOU 11, a Belo owned CBS affiliate in Houston, has an immediate opening for an Assistant News Director. We’re searching for a dynamic newsroom leader to oversee day to day operation of our enterprise driven news organization in market #10. Candidates should have previous news director, assistant news director, or executive producer experience in a medium to large market. The assistant news director must be able to devise and execute a winning strategy built around strong reporting and storytelling. We’re looking for someone who can teach and coach outstanding journalism in a newsroom that has won more awards for journalistic excellence than any other station in Texas.
Interested candidates will need a minimum of 10 years experience in television news, with five years being in a major market. Other skills needed include the ability to make good, sound, non-judgmental decisions with on-air programming, have analytical budgetary abilities, and the ability to interact productively and positively with fellow employees.
For more information, please visit www.khou.com.
For consideration, please submit resume to jobs@khou.com or mail to
KHOU 11
Attention: HR/AD
1945 Allen Parkway,
Houston TX 77019
Fax 713-284-8818
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Managing Editor, WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL:
WFTS-TV, a Scripps owned ABC affiliate in sunny Tampa is seeking an experienced dynamic leader for Managing Editor. Must have proven ability in medium to large market with positive impact on ratings and content quality. The Managing Editor is responsible for organizing and coordinating assignment desk staff and multi-media journalists to facilitate daily news coverage for multiple platforms.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Manage daily editorial flow, including assigning multi-media journalists, photojournalists and assignment desk staff to cover daily news stories and events
- Lead daily news planning and coverage
- Supervise and schedule Multi Media Journalists, Content Coordinators and assignment desk staff to manage overtime
- Review content, ensuring journalistic balance, for all platforms
- Implement and have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations
- Assist editorial staff in developing all news coverage plans
- Work closely with executive producers on distribution of coverage
- Complete and deliver performance evaluations for direct reports
- Knowledge of and proficiency in posting content to station websites
- Performs other duties as assigned
Skills:
- Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office
- Broad understanding of newsroom operations and equipment
- Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast paced environment
- Advanced oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work a varied schedule, including weekends and holidays.
Education/Experience:
Bachelors Degree in related discipline. Minimum 5 years news room management experience.
Apply to requisition #3478 online at www.scripps.com. No phone calls please.
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Other News Management Openings:
Assistant News Director:
WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (new listing this week)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/15/11, see ad above)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 3/12/11)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (new listing this week)
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)
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)
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, see ad above)
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Obituaries:
I’m sorry to report the passing of two former news directors.
MARK DAVIS, the former ND for WTRF-TV in Wheeling, WV, died at the age of 80 following a long illness. He also anchored and reported for this CBS affiliate, which remembered him in this story.
Young
GAYLEN YOUNG, who served as ND for KGET-TV in Bakersfield, CA, from 1985-1988, died yesterday (Thursday, April 21) of injuries suffered in a car accident in Utah. He was 59. Gaylen’s 16 year old son was behind the wheel and suffered minor injuries. Gaylen worked at KGET for 23 years, worked at another Bakersfield station for two years, and earlier had worked in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Here’s KGET’s story on his passing.
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Names in the News:
RTDNA announced the winners of Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards this week. Click here for the entire list. (Self serving promotional note. Among the winners is my client CHRIS DANIELS of KING-TV in Seattle, honored for best writing in that competitive market.)
Benz
RTDNA chair-elect KEVIN BENZ has a new job. He’s the Editor-in-Chief of CultureMap Austin, a daily digital magazine set to launch this summer. He had been ND for News 8 Austin for eleven years before leaving that job in December. As chair-elect of RTDNA, Kevin’s in charge of planning this fall’s RTDNA/SPJ convention in New Orleans.
WTVD-TV in Raleigh/Durham, NC, has a new executive producer. LORI DENBERG joins this ABC o-and-o from WKMG-TV in Orlando, where she was News Content Manager. Lori has also worked for WESH-TV in Orlando, and in Miami and West Palm Beach.
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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, April 22, 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
KLUZ-TV 2725 F. Broadbent Pwky NE Albuquerque NM 87107 **
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW Albuquerque NM 87104
KATV 401 Main St. Little Rock AR 72201
KOKI-TV 2625 S. Memorial Tulsa OK 74129
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
KVEO-TV 349 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
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