December 14, 2014
December 19, 2014 UPDATE:
Green
A shocker tonight from Tribune Media as Senior VP of News KATHERINE GREEN leaves the company after just seven months on the job.
In an email sent to Tribune’s news directors, she cited family and travel behind the decision.
Katherine joined Tribune in April after six years at CNN. When she left she was Senior Vice President/Managing Editor of the HLN Network.
Katherine spent nine years as an ND in Washington, and two years as a news director in Baltimore, after beginning her career as a reporter in Jacksonville, FL. She’s also worked in New York, Tampa, and Miami.
I’ll hope to have more on this surprising move in our full report later this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
TWO new news directors and ONE new opening in this week’s later-than-I-wish-it-was report.
That leaves, by my count, 25 stations looking for new news directors.
TWO of those openings are among the FIVE paid help wanted ads this week, including a rare ad for a promotion manager. That may not be YOUR goal, but I bet you know someone who would appreciate hearing about it.
We have funeral and memorial information for a legendary anchor who died this week. That’s below, along with lots of Names in the News and a big promotion for a ND turned GM.
Also this week, information about the next Kneeland Project seminar.
The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now
Apply today!
The Kneeland Project is accepting applications for their March 4-7 session in Austin, Texas.
Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news directors. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
Apply now by clicking here.
“The Kneeland Project was a life-changing experience. It was, by far, the best training I’ve ever received during my broadcasting career.” – Kerri Cavanaugh, Fox 59 news director, Indianapolis.
In a recent survey of Kneeland Fellows, 100% reported they still regularly use lessons learned at Kneeland, believe that time spent at Kneeland improved their career and said they have recommended Kneeland to a friend or colleague.
This spring’s participants will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make this a truly unique opportunity.
Most importantly, journalists will leave the program with a solid plan to guide their leadership decisions starting the day they return to their newsroom. This isn’t theoretical information that news managers will put on a shelf and neglect. Every participant will walk away with concrete action items to implement immediately that will make a difference in their station…and their life.
Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!
New News Director Openings:
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC…KAREN KOUTSKY is headed to Charlotte as ND for Fox’s WJZY/WMYT-TV in Charlotte. Karen’s been ND here for 14 years. Much more on her move below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Koutsky
WJZY/WMYT-TV, Charlotte, NC…as mentioned above, KAREN KOUTSKY will be the next ND for this FOX o-and-o. It’s a return to FOX for Karen, who worked for the company for eight years when it owned WGHP-TV in Greensboro/High Point, where she’s been ND since 2000. The move also reunites Karen with GM KAREN ADAMS, who was her boss at WGHP before she became GM here in 2013. Karen has worked in Atlanta, Toledo, Indianapolis, Wilmington, NC, and Raleigh-Durham. Karen told me she has family and a boyfriend in Charlotte so she’s excited about the move. She replaces the station’s first ND, GEOFF ROTH, who left in September to return to FOX’s KRIV-TV in Houston as Managing Editor.
Fries
WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL…KEVIN FRIES starts December 22nd as ND for this Diversified Communications owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND for WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, LA, the latest stop in a 25+ year career. His complete background is listed on his Linkedin page. Kevin replaces ANDREA CLENNEY who left the station in October to become news director for WLTZ-TV in Columbus, GA. Andrea was ND here for three years.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Executive Producer, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:
News 4 is seeking a top Executive Producer who loves to live news! A qualified applicant will be an experienced Executive Producer or Special Projects Producer or the best producer in your shop, who is a great writer and wants to help lead a team of the some of the strongest news people in the business.
You must be able to explain and then sustain our news vision. Some additional job requirements include; knowledge of graphics-use to enhance the value to our audience, know how to showcase a newscast and the ability to lead and enhance the performance of producers, reporters and anchors.
The ideal candidate will understand, use and be able to teach the value of social media and digital content. Great judgment and ethics along with the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule will contribute to your success in this position.
Education/Experience: A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, TV/film or the equivalent and at least 5 years experience in television or radio broadcast/production.
If you know how to bring value to viewers, love investigative journalism, understand the importance of weather and can work well under pressure, this may be the job for you!
WIVB/WNLO is a LIN Media station. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and offer competitive salaries and wages, and a standard benefit package that includes a 401K plan and medical and dental plans.
To apply online – click here.
EOE/MINORITIES/FEMALES/VETERANS/DISABLED
Promotion Manager, WTTV, Indianapolis, IN:
WTTV, a Tribune Broadcasting station is looking for a Promotion Manager to assist the Creative Services Director in all aspects of promotion and marketing for the station.
The ideal candidate will supervise the on-air writer/producers and is responsible for promotion production technologies as well as writing, producing and editing of all on-air promotional materials.
The successful candidate will assist Creative Services Director with the development of concepts and strategies for selected programming, including formulating a marketing strategy, creating themes, selecting media, assigning facilities and personnel, and coordinating all elements needed to produce effective advertising campaigns while working closely with news managers and reporters to effectively promote local news with topical and image promotion.
This position requires an undergraduate degree or equivalent related experience with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in local television or ad agency. To apply online click here.
News Director, WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS:
WLBT, the news leader in Jackson, Mississippi, has an immediate opening for a News Director to lead this award winning news department.
Jackson is the capitol and largest city in Mississippi. Jackson is known for its hospitality and the most welcoming people in the South. If you love great weather, outdoor activities, food, music and a diverse cultural experience then you will love living in Jackson.
WLBT has market leading anchors/reporters, a strong digital presence and the market’s only news helicopter.
News Director is responsible for producing 47 hours of news each week on the NBC and FOX stations.
We are looking for a visionary who has experience as a manager in local television news.
Applicants must have an eye on the future of broadcast and digital news.
We are looking for job applicants with a background in long-range strategic planning, competitive team development and budget management.
Strong communication and organizational skills are a must.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or University in Mass Communications or Journalism. Minimum 5 years management experience preferred.
Applications for employment are now submitted electronically. If you are interested in applying, please visit this website.
EOE – M/F/D/V
News Director/Anchor, WUTR/WPNY/WFXV, Utica, NY:
WUTR, WPNY and WFXV in Utica, NY seeks a News Director/Anchor who is aggressive, forward thinking and a creative journalist. We produce news product on three different channels and have the market’s only high definition news operation.
The successful candidate must have an understanding of what “local” news is and how to engage our viewers with relevant content. He/she will anchor, producer, hire, mentor and lead a team of skilled professionals. Solid news judgment, great communication skills and exceptional storytelling techniques are a must. 5-10 years of experience as a primary news anchor preferred. Knowledge of eMedia, social media and mobile website journalism is required.
The Utica market is an extraordinary place to live and work, offering diversity and a uniquely affordable living experience. It is home to a vibrant business sector, impressive colleges and universities, unparalleled hospitals, world-renowned museums and an AHL Hockey team. The market comprises an area rich in history and scenic beauty. Nestled at the base of the foothills of the Adirondack Preserve, the market is the geographical center of New York State and a short 4 hour drive to New York City, Boston, and the Canadian border.
Please send a web link, resume, cover letter and news philosophy to: sventura@wutr.tv
or via mail to:
Stephen J. Ventura
Vice President and General Manager
WUTR/WFXV/WPNY
5956 Smith Hill Road
Utica NY 13502
Managing Editor, WFXT-TV, Boston, MA:
It’s a new era and exciting time at WFXT, the Fox affiliate in Boston, which currently produces 52 ½ hours of news each week. Cox Media Group recently acquired this previously Fox-owned station and is adding staff to the newsroom.
To help the lead the newsroom, WFXT seeks a Managing Editor who will oversee the daily news operation and preparation of daily newscasts. This position, which is 2nd in command in the newsroom, will help make sure the best stories of the day are covered and are presented in the most engaging ways possible.
The successful candidate will always be thinking about and understanding news coverage on all platforms. This position works with reporters every day, overseeing their newsgathering efforts and being a final set of eyes on their copy. The Managing Editor works with all other positions in the newsroom to ensure coverage is accurate and competitive while also meeting research-based goals on all platforms.
Please apply directly via this website: and search for Job ID# 1411319.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 11/9/14)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/30/14)
KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (relisted this week)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 11/1/14)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (TWO openings, listed 11/21/14)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/9/14)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/1/14)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 10/19/14)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Morning EP, listing revised 11/30/14)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital EP, listed 10/26/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 10/11/14)
WSPA-TV, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC (AM EP, listed 10/11/14)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (listed 11/1/14)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/16/14)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, listed 10/19/14)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/11/14)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 8/31/14)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 11/16/14)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 11/16/14)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (listed 11/1/14, see ad above!)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 10/11/14)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/26/14)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 11/1/14)
Obituaries:
Bonds
Funeral services for legendary Detroit Anchorman BILL BONDS will be held Friday, December 19 in a Detroit suburb, with visitation the day before. Complete details, including memorial information, are listed here. We told you yesterday that Bill died Saturday of an apparent heart attack at the age of 82. He spent most of his career at WXYZ-TV in the Motor City, though ABC, which owned the station for most of his time there, briefly shipped him to stations in Los Angeles and New York. WXYZ posted this obit to its website, along with links to many sidebars.
Situations Wanted:
We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.
Names in the News…and other things:
KIMBERLY GODWIN, who’s been a news director in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Cleveland, has been named Senior Broadcast Producer for the CBS Evening News. She joined CBS seven years ago. More on her promotion here. Kim’s also worked for local stations in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, and Tallahassee.
RUBEN VILLAESCUSA has been promoted to Assistant News Director for KTTV, the FOX o-and-o in Los Angeles. He’s been the Assignment Manager and has worked there for 21 years. Ruben’s also worked for two other LA stations.
There are two Executive Producer moves at WTSP-TV in Tampa. Morning EP MELISSA DART gets to sleep in as she moves to Dayside EP. And producer MELISSA RAMSEY replaces Melissa as the morning EP.
GALEAN JAMES is the new Nightside EP for Raycom’s WLBT-TV in Jackson, MS. She’s worked at that NBC affiliate for more than ten years, most recently as a producer.
WEVV-TV in Evansville is bringing back news. I couldn’t find anything on the station’s website (with no news department, that’s probably not too surprising) but we can thank cross-town competitor WFIE-TV for posting this brief item on its website.
The news is not as good in Atlantic City, NJ, where WMGM-TV’s newscasts will stop at the end of the year. But there is hope in the future, as detailed in this story.
August
Finally, best wishes to longtime KGTV (San Diego) newsman J.W. AUGUST who’s retiring from this Scripps owned ABC affiliate after 33 years. J.W. tells me he started a little later than most…he was in his mid-30’s when he started as a weekend assignment editor after some freelance work for print and wire services. He’s been a writer, producer, managing editor, segment producer for the consumer unit, and is currently senior investigative producer. Your note of well wishes can be sent to: jw.august@10news.com
General Manager News:
Pimentel
MARK PIMENTEL returns to Atlanta as General Manager of Meredith’s WGCL-TV, the CBS affiliate there. He’s been the GM of the company’s KMOV-TV (CBS) in St. Louis for the past 2 1/2 years, but earlier in his career was ND for WXIA-TV and EP for WSB-TV there. Mark’s also been an ND in Charleston, SC, and Baltimore, and a GM in Huntsville, Richmond, Lexington, and Louisville.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 14, 2014.
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
WFTS-TV 4045 N. Himes Ave. Tampa FL 33607
KOMO-TV 140 Fourth Ave. North Seattle WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego CA 92101
WCMH-TV 3165 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus OH 43202
WHBQ-TV 485 South Highland Memphis TN 38111
WGHP-TV 2005 Francis St. High Point NC 27263
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WEAR-TV 4990 Mobile Highway Pensacola FL 32506
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WLBT-TV 715 South Jefferson St. Jackson MS 39201 (see ad above!)
KFSM-TV 485 South Highland Ft. Smith AR 72901
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
WTAJ-TV 5000 6th Ave. Altoona, PA 16603
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KCBD-TV 485 South Highland Lubbock TX 79404
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City IA 51108
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
WUTR/WPNY/WFXV 5956 Smith Hill Road Utica NY 13502 (see ad above!)
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849
* Spanish language station