November 1, 2015
Greetings:
Dropping almost as much as the temperatures in some part of the country is the number of open news director jobs. Our figures show just 23 such openings, down from over 40 just a few weeks ago.
In part, that’s due to FIVE newly named news directors which we’ll tell you about in this week’s newsletter. And there’s just ONE new opening.
TWO of those open ND jobs are featured in one of the FOUR paid help wanted ads.
We’re sorry to report the passing of THREE former news directors. Those items are in our obituary section below. We’ll also tell you about the retirement of a former ND turned GM.
In Names in the News, we’ll provide links to two interesting background reports on the murders of two news people last August at WDBJ-TV in Roanoke. There’s also news of three new news managers at an NBC o-and-0, and a new job for a former ND and corporate news executive.
Read on, and have a great week!
New News Director Openings:
KINC-TV, Las Vegas, NV…ADRIANA AREVALO has stepped down as the ND for this Entravision owned Univision station. MediaMoves.com tells us the move was her decision, made after nine years as ND there. More here from Media Moves.
Newly Named News Directors:
Polowczuk
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA…veteran newsman LEE POLOWCZUK has been promoted to news director for this Manship owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the assistant news director and investigative executive producer for almost three years here. More here. Lee’s a former ND in Greenville, SC, New Orleans, and West Palm Beach, FL. He’s also worked in Orlando and Monroe, LA, and took a nine year detour to work with an old friend at an ad agency. Lee will replace CHUCK BARK when he retires at the end of the year after eleven years as ND.
Huff
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA…you may remember my whining last week about the difficulty of finding the name of the new ND for this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate. We’re grateful to JENNA HUFF who let me know that she’s that person (and her GM, who also emailed to update me.) Jenna came from another Sinclair station, WFXL-TV, in Albany, GA, where she was ND for four years. She’s also worked as a reporter in Knoxville. She replaces GAVIN MALISKA who left in May after more than three years as news director.
Schlesser
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL…JEFF SCHLESSER has been named ND for this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. It was a relatively short move for Jeff: he’d been working as the special projects producer for WTVT-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Tampa. He previously worked in Milwaukee, Madison, and Eau Claire, WI. At WCTV, he replaces STAN SANDERS who left the station in June after three years as ND. (You’ll note Stan’s new job below.)
Sanders
WBBJ-TV, Jackson, TN…as teased above, veteran news director STAN SANDERS has been named news director for this Bahakel owned ABC affiliate. Stan most recently was the ND for WCTV in Tallahassee. He’s also been a news director in Columbus, OH, and Jackson, MS. Stan replaces SHANDA SANDSTORM who left the station in July after two years as news director.
Ohnemus
KULR-TV, Billings, MT…PHILLIP OHNEMUS is the new ND for this Cowles owned NBC affiliate. He spent almost 14 years at WIAT-TV in Birmingham, with an unusual career path: He began as a reporter, spent eight months as a maintenance engineer, and the last three years as a producer. At KULR, he replaces ALAN WAGMEISTER who left the station this summer to become a news director for WPTA/WISE-TV in Ft. Wayne.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV:
A rare, senior management opportunity has opened in the News Department of Southern Nevada’s “Local. Las Vegas,” News Team – KVVU/FOX5 LAS VEGAS!
News Director Position Summary:
The News Director develops newscasts that attract the largest available audience and generate the highest ratings possible. This position manages departmental budgets to control costs; manages vendor and service contracts. The News Director negotiates talent contracts and manages news employee retention and recruitment. In addition, this position seeks out profitable non-traditional revenue opportunities.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or related field, or equivalent training and/or experience.
Experience:
Five years minimum experience in television news management.
Skills and Abilities:
Thorough understanding of television news operations, possesses Leadership skills, understands promoting and branding a newscast, excellent verbal/written communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines
To apply online for this exciting opportunity in the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” just click here.
Meredith/KVVU Broadcasting provides equal employment opportunity to all people.
News Director, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:
Emmy award winning; dominant NBC affiliate KTIV, Sioux City, Iowa is seeking an energized, caring, competitive, take charge newsroom leader. This is not a sit behind a desk job. As the News Director, you are coaching, guiding and mentoring on a continuous level. KTIV is one of the top 10 NBC affiliates in the country.
KTIV News Four is a continuous local news source with an immediate deadline mentality. The News Director directly oversees all involved in our news gathering and distributionprocesses. This manager directs the development of our content,weighs the full editorial possibility of every story, and makes immediate decisions on how it will be disseminated on the appropriate platforms.
A minimum of 6 years television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism is preferred. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, as well as sound journalistic principles, and must have the ability to make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.
If you have a passion for excellence and a burning desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Sioux City, Iowa we want to hear from you.
Please send your resume, reel and references to:
Bridget Breen
Station Manager
KTIV Television
2929 Signal Hill Drive
Sioux City, IA 51108
Email: bbreen@ktiv.com
EOE – No phone calls please.
Morning Executive Producer, KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA:
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Bay Area – KNTV is the NBC owned television station serving San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose and ten Bay Area counties.
Job Purpose:
The Morning News Executive Producer is a leadership position overseeing the editorial, production and promotion components of the morning newscast. The Executive Producer’s role is to oversee production of news content on multi-platforms, provide guidance and direction to news employees and perform as a member of the news management team.
Responsibilities Include:
* Conceive and execute daily programs incorporating top news stories and live reports (hard and feature)
* Direct and deliver production elements on a deadline. Manage and supervise On-Air Talent, Content Producers and Production team.
* Review daily line-up of stories and segments; develop future segments, stories and interviews for all platforms
* Collaborate with Creative Services Department on daily topical promotions
* Cooperate and interact with NBC News and assure compliance with all relevant laws and company policy on broadcasts and news operations
Basic Qualifications:
* Minimum of five years’ experience as a television Executive Producer in a medium or large market
* Bachelor’s Degree
Interested Candidates may apply by clicking here:
Assistant News Director/Content Manager, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:
Are you an aggressive, seasoned producer with an unending passion for news, ready to be #2 in the newsroom?
KTIV, the #1 Station in Sioux City seeks a career-minded journalist with strong leadership skills to join our winning team as Assistant News Director/Content Manager. You will drive News4’s editorial process, constantly guiding our multi-media journalists and producers to develop news content on all platforms; managing a continuous flow of information to website, mobile devices, social networking sites and local news broadcasts.
We are looking for a proactive person who shines at showcasing our content, whether it’s a special project or daily breaking news. You must have excellent writing skills and news judgement in producing our top newscast. You will also work closely with the News Director and Internet Director to ensure comprehensive coverage on all platforms.
This is a senior newsroom position, perfect for the aspiring news director. The successful candidate will have a four-year degree, preferably in broadcast news/journalism or related field and significant producing, writing and newsgathering experience in a commercial newsroom.
KTIV is an Emmy award winning team that works hard and is committed to excellence.
Send resume, news philosophy, cover letter and references to:
Bridget Breen
Station Manager
2929 Signal Hill Drive
Sioux City, IA 51108
Email: bbreen@ktiv.com
EOE
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/18/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted this week, see ad above!)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
New England Cable News, Boston, MA (Dayside EP, listed 9/20/15)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing modified this week)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC (listed 10/4/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, listed 9/20/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, new listing this week)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (Nightside EP, relisted 10/11/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, relisted 8/22/15)
KKTV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 8/22/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 10/4/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 8/28/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (relisted 9/13/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (listed 10/11/15)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 10/18/15)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/20/15)
WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 10/18/15)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 10/25/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 10/18/15)
Obituaries:
Hauff
TOM HAUFF, who worked as a news director in Orlando, Tampa, Milwaukee, and Tampa, died Thursday after a battle with esophageal cancer. Tom also worked in Detroit and spent seven years working for Medstar. He worked with old friend JOE ROVITTO at WISN-TV in Milwaukee, who kindly alerted me to Tom’s passing and sent along these thoughts about his friend. Joe also advises there was no funeral but will be a memorial service at a later date.
One time Nashville anchor and news director DAVE DAUGHTRY died Tuesday at the age of 76. He’d been working in radio in Mobile for the past 14 years, and had earlier anchored at two Mobile stations. In addition to Nashville, where he was ND and anchor at WSM-TV, he’d also worked in Washington and Memphis. Much more information in this obituary.
BRUCE FLAHERTY, who spent most of his career working in New York state, died Wednesday. He was 94. A former news director and anchor for WETM-TV in Elmira, Bruce spent 31 years there. He also worked in Erie, PA. You can learn more about Bruce and his career by clicking here.
Names in the News…and other things:
The murders of two journalists at WDBJ-TV in Roanoke in August were detailed in two separate, interesting, and lengthy stories this week. You may have already seen CNN’s effort (if not, click here) which has been linked to by other publications. You may not have seen an equally interesting one by the South Bend Tribune. (Editor’s note: The South Bend Tribune is owned by Schurz which owns WDBJ).
Three news management hires at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia: CESAR ALDAMA has joined this NBC o-and-o as news operations manager. He’s spent the last four years as Senior Director of News for Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (also owned by NBC). He’s a former ND in Miami and an Assistant ND for another station in Philadelphia. And RICHARD WASHINGTON III and NAOMI MORALES have been hired as EPs here.
Charlier
STEVE CHARLIER, a former ND in Sacramento and Salt Lake City, and a VP/News for Tribune and LocalTV, has been named President of Zazoom Media Group. What’s that, you ask? The answers in this news release.
Omaha’s KETV has moved into a new building…a former train station! Our friends at Devlin Design Group built the set for that unusual building. Read about it here, and you can see pictures here.
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.
General Manager News:
One time news director and long time general manager STUART KELLOGG is retiring at the end of the year. He’s been the GM for Hearst’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS, since 1991. He’s a former news director in Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Mobile, where he also anchored for another station. Stuart also worked in New Orleans and as a reporter and weatherman in Syracuse, where he graduated from Syracuse University. More in this article from the station’s website.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, November 1, 2015.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
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 *’
KINC-TV 500 Pilot RoadSuite D Las Vegas NV 89119 *
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Drive Las Vegas NV 89014 (see ad above!)
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk, VA 23510
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York PA 17403
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre PA 16701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd. Charleston, WV 25301
KTAL/KMSS-TV 3150 N. Market Shreveport LA 71107
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston SC 29414
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108 (see ad above!)
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Road Ghent WV 25843
KALB-TV 605 Washington St. Alexandria LA 71301
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601
* Spanish language station