December 20, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 UPDATE:
Raycom Media has named a new Regional News Director.
Finch
It’s JAMES FINCH, who’s been the news director for the company’s FOX affiliate in Birmingham, WBRC-TV, for more than seven years. He’s first joined the station almost 20 years ago as a photojournalist and producer, and moved into news management in 2000. James previously spent six years in the Marines as a combat correspondent.
Click here to read both James’ memo to his staff, as well as the memo from Raycom’s VP/News, STEVE ACKERMANN.
James replaces LARRY SILBERMANN who was named General Manager for the company’s WTOC-TV in Savannah.
More on this story and all the latest news in our full newsletter later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
First, best wishes to all for a happy and safe holiday season.
We have lots of news in this week’s edition.
THREE new ND openings, including a startup news operation in Alabama.
ONE newly named ND…newly being the operative word, since the announcement came today (Sunday).
Those changes bring our always unofficial list of open ND jobs to 20.
ONE of those open ND jobs is featured in one of FOUR paid Help Wanted ads.
And there’s lots of stories in our popular Names in the News segment, including THREE stations who’ve won DuPont Awards, the chances of a new NBC affiliate in Boston, lots of management moves, a ‘bucket list’ achievement for a retired Wisconsin ND, and a gathering that brought more than 100 years of ND experience together in one Indianapolis restaurant.
All that and more below.
New News Director Openings:
WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL…this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate is going to start its own news operation and is currently looking for its first news director. Learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
Barden
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA…DOUG BARDEN has left this Cordillera owned NBC affiliate after more than four years as news director. He’s been an ND in Bakersfield and Cheyenne and has also worked in Reno and Salt Lake City. More on his Linkedin page.
KBAK-TV, Bakersfield, CA…CRISTI JESSEE is leaving to become ND for KVVU-TV in Las Vegas. (Ironically, at KBAK she replaced DOUG BARDEN, mentioned in the item above.) More on her move below. KBAK is a CBS affiliate owned by Sinclair.
Newly Named News Directors:
Jessee
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV…this Meredith owned FOX affiliate announced today that CRISTI JESSEE will be its next news director. Here’s the memo sent to staff today by GM TODD BROWN. Cristi has been the ND for KBAK-TV in Bakersfield for the past four years, and earlier was an ND in Alexandria, MN. She has also worked in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Sacramento, Little Rock, and Grand Forks, ND. At KVVU, she replaces ADAM BRADSHAW who left in October after almost ten years as ND.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL:
WZDX-TV and RocketCityNow.com in Huntsville, AL is seeking an experienced News Director who is an innovative leader possessing excellent news judgement, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to be the best. This is a great opportunity to build your own team of journalists as we expand our news product in our newly renovated, state of the art facility.
WZDX is home to the only Monday-Sunday 9:00 pm newscast in the area. Now we are ready to expand and to serve the growing population of the Tennessee Valley like never before. The News Director will hire a full staff of journalists, develop a local plan for successful storytelling across the Tennessee Valley, put a digital content plan into place for both RocketCityNow.com and social media platforms, and re-launch the 9:00 pm news with an expanded format.
Huntsville is known as the “Rocket City” and is consistently named as one of the best places to live and work by a variety of national publications. Technology, space, and defense industries have a major presence here and we are home to five major universities, along with museums, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The Tennessee Valley also offers golf courses, lakes, outdoor sports, and many other leisure activities.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, and to apply, click here.
Assistant News Director, WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA:
WTKR (CBS) in Norfolk is looking for someone who has a passion for news, loves to showcase content, is aggressive with breaking news coverage and ready to be an Assistant News Director!
This person will help lead a growing station and help drive the editorial content for all WTKR/WGNT newscasts. This means constantly mentoring our reporters and producers as they generate memorable content for all of our platforms: websites, mobile devices, social networking sites and local news broadcasts.
Qualified candidate must have excellent writing skills and news judgement as well as know what it takes to craft a successful newscast that appeals to our viewers.
This is a senior management position, perfect for the aspiring news director.
EXPECTATIONS:
*Be able to shine at showcasing our content whether it’s a special project or daily news.
*Manage and coordinate all aspects of newsroom operation with direct responsibility to staff scheduling, special projects and special events.
*Participate in the hiring, training, and performance evaluation.
*Ensures quality news, sports and weather presentation through consistent writing and graphics.
*Oversees pre-planning for news specials and special assignments and works closely with executive producers to ensure aggressive, competitive and compelling newscasts.
*Creates and coordinates editorial projects across corporate lines. Assists in developing overall editorial and promotional strategy to increase ratings.
Qualifications:
This position requires an undergraduate degree in journalism or equivalent coursework. Minimum of 7 years newscast producing, reporting and/or assignment desk management experience required. Previous management experience is a must. Also must demonstrate proven track record at guiding a successful news operation.
WTKR NewsChannel 3 is owned by the Tribune Media Company. Candidates MUST apply at www.tribunemedia.com.
Assistant News Director, WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC:
Are you all about social and new media? Do you like change? And does “risk” mean “potential” in your vocabulary? Be part of a news team that’s changing and growing. If you have a passion for producing great journalism with an emphasis on watchdog and advocacy work, multi-platform news content, storytelling and innovation in a fast-paced atmosphere, WCNC-TV, a TEGNA company, in Charlotte, NC is the place to be as the Assistant News Director!
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), formerly Gannett Co., Inc., is comprised of a dynamic portfolio of media and digital businesses that provide content that matters and brands that deliver. TEGNA reaches more than 90 million Americans and delivers highly relevant, useful and smart content, when and how people need it, to make the best decisions possible. TEGNA Media includes 46 television stations (including those serviced by TEGNA) and is the largest independent station group of major network affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching approximately one-third of all television households nationwide. TEGNA Digital is comprised of Cars.com, the leading online destination for automotive consumers, CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital solutions, and other powerful brands such as G/O Digital and Sightline Media Group.
For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com
Managing Editor, WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH:
WHIO TV, the No. 1 CBS affiliate in the country, is seeking a Managing Editor to help craft and execute the strategic vision for the station’s content operations. This person will oversee daily news gathering, planning, budgeting and execution, and possess a keen understanding of news cycles for broadcast and digital platforms as well as a high level of news judgment. The ME leads teams of multi-platform talent while seeking new tactical strategies to simplify operations. They inspire and instill confidence in the staff, and foster teamwork and collaboration. The Managing Editor is responsible for performance and deadline obligations. College degree preferred along with a minimum of three years’ experience in TV news management. For full details on this opening click here:
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps. The company’s operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 57 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG currently operates in more than 20 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 30 million TV viewers, more than 3.5 million print and online newspaper readers, and more than 14 million radio listeners. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com
Cox Media Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer;
Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 12/13/15, see ad above!)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 11/15/15)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo/Cedar Rapids, IA (relisted 12/6/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted this week)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 12/6/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted this week)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 11/1/15)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, listed 11/8/15)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 11/1/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (AM EP, listed 12/6/15)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 11/8/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing revised 11/8/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, relisted 11/22/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, listed 11/8/15)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (new listing this week)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (2 openings, AM & PM, listing revised 12/6/15)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 11/1/15)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, new listing this week)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Morning EP, listed 11/22/15)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, listed 12/13/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/8/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (relisted 12/13/15)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/13/15, see ad above!)
Situations Wanted:
We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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:
Congratulations to KMOV-TV in St. Louis, WBAL-TV in Baltimore, and WRAL-TV in Raleigh. They were among 16 winners of Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. The complete list is here.
In case you missed it, there were reports this week that NBC might be dropping Boston’s WHDH-TV as an affiliate. If that happens, it’d be the second time NBC parted company with a station owned by Sunbeam Broadcasting. The first was WSVN-TV (formerly WCKT-TV) in Miami in the late 80’s.
Gardner
Veteran news director TIM GARDNER is back in a newsroom as the morning EP for WFAA-TV in Dallas. He most recently spent eight years as ND for WVTM-TV in Birmingham before leaving in June to move to Texas to be closer to family. He knows Texas well, having been an ND in San Antonio and two different stations in Austin.
Two management hires at KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City. JOSHUA BARLOW joins this Tribune owned FOX affiliate as Assistant ND. He’s worked for stations in Miami, Colorado Springs, Gainesville, and Pocatello, ID, both as a reporter and producer. He also worked for NBC NewsChannel. And SHANNEL POULSON has been named Dayside Executive Producer. She’s produced for two stations in Salt Lake City and two stations in Phoenix.
NIKKI NEWBROUGH moves from reporter to assignment editor at KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA.
JASON VINKLER returns to WKBN/WYTV-TV in Youngstown, OH, as Assistant News Director. He started his career at WKBN, and rose from production assistant to EP and interim news director. He’s been a producer at sister station WIVB-TV in Buffalo for the past few years.
KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs has hired ABBY KAPPEL as its morning EP. She’s been a producer in Albany, NY, but previously worked in Grand Junction, CO.
Congratulations to longtime WBAY-TV (Green Bay) News Director TOM McCAREY who was scheduled to achieve one of his longtime goals yesterday. Tom retired from WBAY two years ago after 30 years as ND.
Several dozen years of news management (and more than a few years of RTDNA leadership) were represented in an Indianapolis restaurant Thursday afternoon at a luncheon of old friends. The attendees are hoping to make it an annual event. If you’ve been in the business a long time, chances are you’ve crossed paths with one of the people pictured below.
Seated-Ed Godfrey, Rick Gevers, Paul Davis, Lucy Himstedt
Standing-Ray Depa, Lou Prato, Tom Becherer, Lee Giles
General Manager News:
Two weeks with NO GM moves to report, and this week we have TWO changes in Wichita alone.
KSNW-TV General Manager ERIK SCHRADER moves within Media General to become GM for WIAT-TV in Birmingham. Erik, a former ND in five markets, had been GM for KSNW for two years. He’s also worked in production, as a reporter, and as a sports director. He replaces another former news director turned GM, HELEN SWENSON, who’s moved to a corporate role within Media General.
At KAKE-TV, NEAL DAVIS will be the GM when Lockwood Broadcast Group takes completes its purchase of the ABC affiliate from Gray TV at the end of the year. He’s currently GM for two Lockwood stations in Knoxville. KAKE’s current GM, BRAD MOSES, will remain with the company in a new corporate role assisting newly acquired stations with the transition to Gray.
Another Knoxville GM, KELVIN MIZE, has been promoted by Raycom to become GM of its Lawton, OK, station, KSWO-TV.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 20, 2015.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
KHOU-TV 1945 Allen Parkway Houston TX 77019
KPHO/KTVK-TV, 5555 N 7th Ave. Phoenix AZ 85013
KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
XETV 8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego 92111
WLWT-TV 1700 Young St. Cincinnati OH 45210
WZDX-TV 1309 Memorial Parkway NW Huntsville AL 35801 (see ad above!)
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt St. Rochester, NY 14610
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
KADN/KLAF-TV 123 Easy St. Lafayette LA 70506
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
KBAK-TV1901 Westward Drive Bakersfield, CA 93301
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd, West Monroe, LA 71292
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
* Spanish language station