Rick Gevers & Associates

December 24, 2016

Greetings:

And my holiday gift to you is…this newsletter, delivered a day early.

You weren’t seriously expecting anything else, were you?

For a short week leading into a holiday, seems like we have a lot to tell you.

For instance, there are THREE new news director openings. TWO stations hired new news directors.

Our list of open ND jobs moves slightly higher, to 24.

ONE of those open ND jobs is among our FIVE paid help wanted ads.

Speaking of FIVE, there are that many items in our General Manager news section.

And in Names in the News, we’ll tell you about a former Phoenix news director who’s taking a new job in the public sector. You’ll also learn about a chief meteorologist becoming the Assistant ND for his station, while a former New York ND has a new role at ESPN.

The best wishes for the holidays to you and your family.

New News Director Openings:

WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…PAIGE HARRISON is transferring within Hearst to become ND for WCVB-TV in Boston. She’s been ND here for four years. More on her move below.

Tebbets

WCAX-TV, Burlington, VT…after seven years as ND, ANSON TEBBETTS is returning to state government as Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture for the state of Vermont. He’d been the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture from 2007-2009 before returning to WCAX where he’d worked as a reporter for 13 years. The station aired this tribute. WCAX is a CBS affiliate and has been family owned since signing on in 1954.

Heinert

KDLT-TV, Sioux Falls, SD…PAUL HEINERT is leaving this Red River Broadcast owned NBC affiliate to take a job with Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. He’s been the ND here for seven years and has worked at the station for 13 years. He began as a weekend anchor, also worked in sports, and has anchored the 5:00 news in addition to his ND job.

Newly Named News Directors:

Harrison

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA…you know from our report on Monday that PAIGE HARRISON has been named ND for this Hearst owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the story from the station’s website. She’s no stranger to Hearst, having spent the last four years as ND for its ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach, WPBF-TV. She’s been with the company for almost 14 years, and previously has worked at Hearst stations in Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Oklahoma City. Paige replaces ANDREW VREES who’s been promoted to a VP/News role.

Best

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL…CHRIS BEST has been named news director for this Media General soon to be owned by Nexstar CBS affiliate. Here’s the note from GM MARK BUNTING. He’s been the Assistant ND at WMC-TV in Memphis for the last 2+ years. Chris has worked in senior management roles in a number of newsrooms, as you’ll learn via his Linkedin page. At WKRG, he replaces MIKE RAUSCH who left in October after seven years to become ND for KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, CO.

Paid Help Wanted Ads: 

Morning Executive Producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

We are seeking an Executive Producer who will take the editorial lead each day and develop multi-platform content that succeeds on air and on digital. This individual will manage, coach, and motivate a team of producers, writers, reporters, anchors, and photojournalists who are among the best in the business. The Executive Producer is responsible for the overall content of assigned newscasts, manages all aspects of breaking news, social engagement, and ensures the product stays on brand. Effective communication and decision making under daily deadline pressure are a must. The Executive Producer must have strong ethics, a solid producing background, a desire and ability to win the day, and be an exceptional troubleshooter. This individual must be able to generate unique content, and develop and produce specials as required. The EP will also work closely with other news managers and the News Director to implement winning strategies for each newscast.

We are seeking a candidate with the following:

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field.
Must have five or more years producing experience in a major television market.
Must be able to effectively manage people & act decisively under pressure.
Must know news and what is important to the community.
Must have social media knowledge and a digital footprint.
Must have technical expertise to booth live newscasts and troubleshoot problems
Must perform administrative duties including scheduling, performance reviews, training of new staff, and provide critical feedback as needed.

To learn more about this job and apply, please click here.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Senior Media Consultant, SmithGeiger:

Help shape the future of media as part of the industry’s most innovative market research and consulting firm.

SmithGeiger LLC is looking for a Senior Strategist with total command of the latest digital engagement and monetization techniques, and recent experience with modern media and station operations. You must have extreme creativity, interests in all platforms, exceptional communication and writing skills, relentless client customization abilities, a commitment to excellence, and be a true team player.

You will work face-to-face with the Who’s Who of Tech, Social Media, Mobile, Internet, OTT, Studio, Program Syndication, Cable and Broadcast companies, and provide state of the art research and on-going strategic counsel that produce successful results. CEO Dave Smith calls this the true “Golden Age of Media.”

Be part of the team innovating in these unprecedented times.

Email resume and any relevant links to: jobs@smithgeiger.com

Job Type: Full Time
Travel: Yes
Experience: 5-20 years
Education: College/Experience
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

News Director, WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV:

Position Summary:

The News Director leads and supervises all aspects of news, including broadcast and digital, weather and sports programming.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

* Manages all aspects of the News Department (other than Production.)
* Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department.
* Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees.
* Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website.
* Critiques newscasts on a daily basis to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
* Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met.
* Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals.
* Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming.
* Responds to coverage questions.
* Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

You must apply online to be considered for this position. Please click here to access all career opportunities for WOWK-TV and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.

WOWK-TV is an equal opportunity employer.

Morning Executive Producer, WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

Fox4, WFTX – TV, a Scripps-owned station serving the Ft Myers market (DMA #61), aka “PARADISE”, has an exciting opportunity for a MORNING EXECUTIVE PRODUCER who is a proven leader with excellent news judgment, strong writing skills and a passion for being first with breaking news and the creativity to produce content that’s essential for the morning audience across all platforms. You must be a good communicator with strong people skills. Fluency in social media is a must.

Our resources include the market’s only virtual set and breaking news tracker vehicle. In addition, the power of Scripps’ national network of local news operations and digital businesses provides a reach and an opportunity no other company can match.

Scripps leaders are trained and developed to lead for the present, and groomed for future opportunities in the company.

Candidates must have a four year college degree in journalism, communication or a related field and 3-5 years of experience; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The following characteristics and skills are a must:

• Knowledge and demonstration of editorial judgment, journalistic ethics and libel laws
• Ability to create tactics and strategies to increase demo performance in key target areas for multiple platforms
• Have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations

The SWFL lifestyle needs no embellishment. You’ll enjoy some of the world’s finest weather (average of 75 degrees), beaches, water sports, golf, restaurants and entertainment.

To apply, please visit here:

Assistant News Director, KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AK:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted this week)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted this week)
KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL (listed 12/18,16, see display ad above!)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 12/4/16)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted this week)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listing revised this week, two openings, AM & PM)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 12/11/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/18/16, see ad above!)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted this week)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

Names in the News:

Casey

Veteran news director MARK CASEY has a new job in the public sector. He’s been named Director of Public Information for the Maricopa (AZ) County Sheriff’s office. That’s the Phoenix area. Mark will work for a new sheriff, PAUL PENZONE, who soundly defeated longtime and controversial sheriff JOE ARPAIO in the November election. Mark had been ND and Station Manager for KPNX-TV in Phoenix before leaving earlier this year.

Longley

At WSYR-TV in Syracuse, Chief Meteorologist DAVE LONGLEY has been named Assistant News Director for this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. He announced the move on air. He’s done weather there for 25 years. But Dave’s been battling multiple sclerosis for more than ten years. Learn more about his battle in this story.

Balta

One time New York City (Telemundo) News Director HUGO BALTA has a new job at ESPN. He’s been named Senior Director of Hispanic Initiatives for ESPN Deportes. Hugo’s a past Managing Editor at WCBS-TV and a former President of NAHJ. More in this article from Media Moves.

General Manager News:

There are a number of General Manager and other management moves this week:

At KPNX-TV in Phoenix, DEAN DITMER has been named GM for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. He replaces JOHN MISNER, who’s run KPNX for 14 years. John’s taken a new job (actually a dual appointment) at Arizona State University as you’ll learn here.

At WBIR-TV in Knoxville, another Tegna owned NBC affiliate, DAVID HUNT has been chosen to replace JEFF LEE, who is retiring, as GM.

In Baton Rouge, ERIC THOMAS will oversee the Nexstar operations there. He’ll be replaced in Lubbock by CINDY GILSTRAP.

KTVI-TV in St. Louis has promoted KURT KRUEGER to Station Manager. A longtime employee, he’s been the director of sales.

Finally, JIM McKERNAN has new responsibilities at Quincy Media. He’ll oversee the company’s TV and Radio operations in Quincy and will continue in his role as GM of KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA. And JOHN HUFF has been promoted to Station Manager at KWWL.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, December 24, 2016:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

December 18, 2016

Monday, December 19, 2016 UPDATE:

To no one’s great surprise, Hearst Television wasted little time in filling the news director vacancy at WCVB-TV, its Boston ABC affiliate.

Harrison

PAIGE HARRISON, a longtime Hearst employee who’s spent the last 4 + years as ND for the company’s WPBF-TV (ABC) in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, will replace ANDREW VREES at WCVB. She’s been with Hearst for almost 14 years, and previously has worked for the company in Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Oklahoma City.

The Boston Business Journal has more.

Andrew’s being promoted to a VP/News role for Hearst. He’ll be based in Boston.

Given the approaching holiday, I suspect it will be fairly quiet the rest of the week.

But I’ve been wrong before!

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

Some very interesting items in today’s report, many of them involving veteran news directors.

Many of these news directors are women, including one who is becoming Senior VP/News for a major company. And one is retiring after 36 years as an ND in a top ten market. And there’s much more.

We report on all those changes below. They result in our list of open ND jobs increasing to 23.

ONE of those open ND jobs is including in our FOUR Paid Help Wanted Ads. And TWO of the other ads are for news management jobs in markets that are 4,865 miles apart in two wildly different clients.

Also this week…FOUR local stations won DuPont Awards. A long-ago Jacksonville news director died. A retiring Mississippi news director was given a day in his honor. And in our Social Report, people with hundreds of years of news management experienced convened in Indianapolis this week for lunch.

Two notes. Our publication schedule for the next two weeks may be impacted by holiday travel.

And our emailed circulation for this newsletter has now reached the 1,400 mark. Quite a jump from its start as an email to two friends who were looking for a new job.

And that doesn’t include the 1,800-2,000 per week who see this on my website.

Thanks to all the readers, the tipsters, and the advertisers for making it possible.

Happy holidays!

New News Director Openings:

Vrees

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA…as we reported earlier this week, ANDREW VREES is being promoted to VP/News for station owner Hearst Television. Andrew’s been ND for this ABC affiliate for almost eight years, and spent five years before that as ND of Hearst’s WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH. Andrew’s promotion was one of a series of news management changes in Hearst. They are all outlined in our Names in the News segment below.

Reyelts

KBJR-TV, Duluth, MN…BARBARA REYELTS is retiring as news director of this Quincy owned station…though not until next August. She’s been at the station since 1979, and became news director in 2008. This article has more on Barbara’s background, as well as the history of longtime station anchor MICHELLE LEE who is stepping down at the end of the year.

Newly Named News Directors:

Roth

KTSF-TV, San Francisco, CA…veteran news director GEOFF ROTH takes on an unusual challenge: he’s been named ND for this Asian independent TV station. Geoff joined the station this summer as Director of Content Development. He has a wide and varied background in our business, with, by my count, six ND jobs, numerous news management positions, and a stint in education. His Linkedin page has the full story.

Shirinian

Speaking of stories, the woman Geoff is replacing has quite a story. ROSE SHIRINIAN is retiring after an amazing 36 YEARS as the news director here. She founded the news department in 1980 after working part-time for four years. Rose was a full time dental hygienist! KTSF General Manager MARK ANTONITIS details Rose’s remarkable story in this farewell memo.

Paid Help Wanted Ads: 

News Director, WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV:

Position Summary:

The News Director leads and supervises all aspects of news, including broadcast and digital, weather and sports programming.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

* Manages all aspects of the News Department (other than Production.)
* Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department.
* Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees.
* Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website.
* Critiques newscasts on a daily basis to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
* Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met.
* Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals.
* Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming.
* Responds to coverage questions.
* Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

You must apply online to be considered for this position. Please click here to access all career opportunities for WOWK-TV and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.

WOWK-TV is an equal opportunity employer.

Morning Executive Producer, WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

Fox4, WFTX – TV, a Scripps-owned station serving the Ft Myers market (DMA #61), aka “PARADISE”, has an exciting opportunity for a MORNING EXECUTIVE PRODUCER who is a proven leader with excellent news judgment, strong writing skills and a passion for being first with breaking news and the creativity to produce content that’s essential for the morning audience across all platforms. You must be a good communicator with strong people skills. Fluency in social media is a must.

Our resources include the market’s only virtual set and breaking news tracker vehicle. In addition, the power of Scripps’ national network of local news operations and digital businesses provides a reach and an opportunity no other company can match.

Scripps leaders are trained and developed to lead for the present, and groomed for future opportunities in the company.

Candidates must have a four year college degree in journalism, communication or a related field and 3-5 years of experience; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The following characteristics and skills are a must:

• Knowledge and demonstration of editorial judgment, journalistic ethics and libel laws
• Ability to create tactics and strategies to increase demo performance in key target areas for multiple platforms
• Have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations

The SWFL lifestyle needs no embellishment. You’ll enjoy some of the world’s finest weather (average of 75 degrees), beaches, water sports, golf, restaurants and entertainment.

To apply, please visit here:

Senior Media Consultant, SmithGeiger:

Help shape the future of media as part of the industry’s most innovative market research and consulting firm.

SmithGeiger LLC is looking for a Senior Strategist with total command of the latest digital engagement and monetization techniques, and recent experience with modern media and station operations. You must have extreme creativity, interests in all platforms, exceptional communication and writing skills, relentless client customization abilities, a commitment to excellence, and be a true team player.

You will work face-to-face with the Who’s Who of Tech, Social Media, Mobile, Internet, OTT, Studio, Program Syndication, Cable and Broadcast companies, and provide state of the art research and on-going strategic counsel that produce successful results. CEO Dave Smith calls this the true “Golden Age of Media.”

Be part of the team innovating in these unprecedented times.

Email resume and any relevant links to: jobs@smithgeiger.com

Job Type: Full Time
Travel: Yes
Experience: 5-20 years
Education: College/Experience
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted 10/23/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 10/23/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 10/23/16)
KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL (see display ad above!)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 12/4/16)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, listed 10/23/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/4/16)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 12/11/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted this week, see ad above!)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/23/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

Obituary:

One time WJXT-TV (Jacksonville, FL) News Director ERNIE MASTRIOANNI died Sunday, December 11, at the age of 82. He spent many years as an investigative reporter in Jacksonville, taught at Northwestern University, and spent 16 years as the elected Duval County Property Appraiser. Click here for a detailed obituary.

Names in the News:

Two major broadcast groups made changes to their corporate news director ranks this week.

As mentioned above, Hearst promoted ANDREW VREES to VP/News, leaving his old job open at WCVB-TV in Boston. BARBARA MAUSHARD was named Senior VP/News, from VP/News. KCRA-TV News Director LORI WALDON was named Regional News Director. She’ll remain ND in Sacramento. And CANDY ALTMAN continues in her VP/News role. It’s all explained here.

And Sinclair Broadcasting promoted three of its news directors to Regional News Directors. BLAISE LABBE (San Antonio) MARK NEERMAN (Las Vegas) and JULIE FRIES (Asheville, NC) will continuing running their newsrooms and also help oversee other Sinclair stations in their regions. Sinclair’s VP/News SCOTT LIVINGSTON outlined the changes in this email.

Congratulations to four local TV stations honored this week with DuPont Awards. Winners were WXIA-TV in Atlanta, WTHR-TV here in Indianapolis, WVIT-TV in Hartford, and KXAN-TV in Austin, TX. Details of ALL the winners, and links to the stories, are here.

Retiring WTOK-TV (Meridian, MS) News Director JOHN JOHNSON was honored with a day in his honor in Meridian. He served the station and community for 32 years, and the station reported on his ‘day’ here.

MARISSA MILLER returns to WAND-TV in Decatur, IL, as the station’s Managing Editor. She’d worked there earlier in her career, first as a photographer, then web content manager. She’s spent the last two years at WISH-TV in Indianapolis on the digital side.

The network or cable newscasts didn’t cover it. In fact, this may be the only place you’ll read about it, but many of our industry’s problems were solved last Thursday during a second annual luncheon of veteran news directors here in Indianapolis. (Okay, maybe not solved, but many great stories were told!) Attendees came from as far away as Wilmington, NC (via Pittsburgh), Toledo, Lexington, Louisville, and Evansville. Bad weather kept others from joining us from South Bend and Champaign, IL. Dozens of years of industry leadership were represented.

We hope to make this an annual event. Please let me know if you’d like to join us next year, exact date and location TBA.

Standing (L-R): Brian Trauring, Tom Becherer, Lucy Himstedt, Rick Gevers
Seated (L-R): Paul Paolicelli, Ed Godfrey, Ken Kurtz, Lee Giles, Ray Depa

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 18, 2016:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WCVB-TV 5 TV Place Needham MA 02494
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road. Schenectady, NY 12309
WKRG-TV 555 Broadcast Dr. Mobile AL 36606
WOWK-TV 555 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701 (see ad above!)
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way, Jackson, MS 39209
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560
WNCT-TV 3221 Evans St, Greenville, NC 27834
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach SC 29588
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KADN/KLAF-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd Lafayette, LA 70506
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV PO Box 320 Tupelo MS 38802
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave. Duluth MN 55802
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, Ms. 39301
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. N Twin Falls, ID 83301

December 11, 2016

Thursday, December 15, 2016 UPDATE:

There are two developments today of interest.

Hearst has announced promotions within its corporate news team.

Maushard

BARBARA MAUSHARD has been named Senior VP/News, and will continue to be based in New York. Barb’s been in New York as a VP/News.

Vrees

ANDREW VREES moves from ND at Hearst’s WCVB-TV in Boston to a new role as VP/News. He’ll be based in Boston and a new news director will be hired to replace him at that ABC Affiliate.

Waldon

LORI WALDON, who’s been ND at Hearst’s KCRA-TV in Sacramento, is assuming new responsibilities as a Regional News Director. She’ll continue at KCRA and will work with NDs at Hearst stations in Albuquerque and Monterrey.

Altman

CANDY ALTMAN will continue in her role as VP/News working on special projects and training.

All those moves are explained in greater deal in this news release.

And congratulations to four local TV stations honored today with a DuPont Award. Honored were WXIA-TV in Atlanta, WTHR-TV here in Indianapolis, WVIT-TV in Hartford, and KXAN-TV in Austin, TX. Details of ALL the winners, and links to the stories, are here.

More later, as we like to say!

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

A very full edition of our weekly newsletter:

FIVE newly named news directors (okay, some of them not so new.)

FOUR new news director openings (THOSE are all new and there are 21 in all).

ONE paid help wanted ad for a major TV consulting firm.

ONE paid ad for a mostly free training seminar for news directors and aspiring NDs.

LOTS of Names in the News and General Manager News.

All you have to do is read on!

Do you know someone who deserves a little Kneeland?

(Hint: It might be you.)

The Kneeland Project is accepting applications now for their March 1-4, 2017 session in Austin, Texas. Applications are due Friday 1/13/17 and are available by clicking here.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news managers. 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.

In addition to tackling core Kneeland subjects like ethical leadership, time-saving strategies and results-driven digital ideas, we are covering race, religion and election coverage in our March session. You can’t miss this opportunity.

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.

The Kneeland Project is an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Only 18 journalists will be selected for this program. Apply today!

New News Director Openings:

White

WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV…Nexstar operates this CBS affiliate pending its acquisition from West Virginia Media Holdings. KEN WHITE is the news director currently but the search is on for his replacement. Ken’s been there since January 2015 and previously spent 14 years as the news director for WCCB-TV, the FOX affiliate in Charlotte.

WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS…BEN HART is leaving one Hearst ABC affiliate for another. He’s been named ND for WISN-TV in Milwaukee. More on that below.

Shultz

WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC…STEPHANIE SHULTZ has left this now owned by Media General but soon to be Nexstar CBS affiliate to return to Roanoke as the Assistant ND at WDBJ-TV, the Gray TV owned CBS affiliate. Before spending 2 1/2 years in Greenville, Stephanie worked for WSLS-TV in Roanoke, beginning as an associate producer and working her way up to Executive Producer.

Ritter

WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC…DANA BROWN RITTER is returning to the Christian Broadcasting Network as Washington Bureau Chief. Dana worked there earlier in her career as a producer. She’s been the ND for this Media General about to be Nexstar CBS affiliate for almost two years, and has worked in Pittsburgh, Norfolk, and Roanoke.

Newly Named News Directors:

Hart

WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI…as noted above, BEN HART has been named news director for this Hearst owned ABC affiliate. He moves north from Hearst’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS, where he spent six years, the last 4+ as news director. He’s also worked for Hearst stations in New Orleans and Sacramento and began his career as a director in Columbus, MS. At WISN, Ben replaces CHRIS GEGG who’s been ND here for four years.. Chris tells me he hopes to be able to announce his next job (in TV news) soon.

Yakima, WA…it seems we’re way behind (WAY behind!) on some changes in this market. (I may have to fire my bureau chief there.) Thanks to a loyal reader who provided updates:

SCOTT STOVALL has been ND for 19 months at KIMA-TV
TOM YAZWINSKI has been ND at KEPR-TV for 8 months
MIKE GONZALEZ is News Director/Evening Anchor KAPP/KVEW-TV

Becker

KMIR-TV, Palm Desert, CA…we told you earlier this week that ROSS BECKER has been named ND for this OTA Broadcasting NBC affiliate. He’s leaving the anchor desk at KUSI-TV in San Diego where he’s worked for the past seven years. But you’ll learn here that he’s been living in this market. Ross has anchored in several large markets, including Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. More here. Ross replaces DAVID REESE who has taken a new job which is, as yet, unknown to me.

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Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted 10/23/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 10/23/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 10/23/16)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 12/4/16)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, listed 10/23/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/4/16)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, new listing this week)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/4/16)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/23/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (listed 11/6/16)

Names in the News:

SUSSY RUIS is the new Assistant News Director for KTMD-TV, the Telemundo station in Houston.

McGarvy

A move with Tribune finds SEAN McGARVY headed from WTTV/WXIN-TV in Indianapolis to sister duopoly KDVR/KWGN-TV as Managing Editor. The move reunites him with ND HOLLY GAUNTT. They worked together at WTTG-TV in Washington.

KEITH ST. PETER moves from Cox’s WJAX/WFOX-TV in Jacksonville, FL, to sister station WHIO-TV in Dayton as Managing Editor.

We told you earlier this week that MARK TONEY has left SmithGeiger after 12 years as Senior VP. He’s a former news director in Chicago, Miami, Oklahoma City and Richmond. Mark sent me this email outlining his past few years and his intentions for the future. Friends can reach him via email: Txbrand1@gmail.com

Primo

Congratulations to AL PRIMO who was inducted into the NATAS Gold Circle recently. If you know (or know of Al) you’ll enjoy this column. If you don’t, you should read it to learn more about the man credited with changing television and inventing Eyewitness News.

Speaking of honors, former WAGA-TV (Atlanta) News Director BUDD MCENTEE was one of four people inducted into the 2016 Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame. This story includes video profiles of Budd and the other honorees, including PBS NewHour anchor JUDY WOODRUFF.

Our longtime sponsor and friends at the Devlin Design Group are expanding into sports sets. Learn more about that via this interview with DAN DEVLIN.

General Manager News:

ASHLEY GOLD MESSINA is joining Hearst as VP of sales. We told you last week she’s leaving KRON-TV in San Francisco after 2+ years as GM.

A one time news producer has returned to her former station as General Manager. AMY CALVERT will take over KJRH-TV in Tulsa. Here’s the full story.

DAVID CALDWELL has been promoted to GM of Bonten Media’s KTXS-TV in Abilene, TX. He’s a 29 year veteran of the station and succeeds BUD BROWN who died unexpectedly in October.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 11, 2016:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road. Schenectady, NY 12309
WKRG-TV 555 Broadcast Dr. Mobile AL 36606
WOWK-TV 555 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way, Jackson, MS 39209
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560
WNCT-TV 3221 Evans St, Greenville, NC 27834
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach SC 29588
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KADN/KLAF-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd Lafayette, LA 70506
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV PO Box 320 Tupelo MS 38802
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, Ms. 39301
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. N Twin Falls, ID 83301

December 4, 2016

Thursday, December 8, 2016 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Three items of note today.

Hart

In Milwaukee, BEN HART has been named news director of Hearst’s WISN-TV (ABC). He’s been the ND for the company’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS, since 2012 and has worked at two other Hearst stations. Ben replaces CHRIS GEGG who will leave at the end of the year after just over four years as ND.

Becker

Veteran anchor ROSS BECKER, who’s been at KUSI-TV in San Diego for the last seven years, is headed to Palm Springs as the next ND for KMIR-TV, the OTA Broadcasting NBC affiliate. This release tells us that Ross has lived in the area and commuted to San Diego. He’s anchored in several markets, including Los Angeles, as outlined on his Linkedin page. He replaces DAVID REESE who announced in October he’d leave after November for a job to be announced later.

Toney

Finally, veteran SmithGeiger executive MARK TONEY has left that consulting company after almost 12 years. He sent me (and others) this email. Mark’s a former news director in Chicago, Miami, and Oklahoma City. His Linkedin page has more of his background.  Old friends can reach Mark here: Txbrand1@gmail.com

More on all these stories in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****
Greetings:

A busy week, with lots of news to tell you about.

There are just TWO new news director openings, but one is created by the retirement of a veteran news director who was once a network correspondent. And another veteran news director returns to a newsroom in one of the THREE newly named news directors we’ll introduce you to.

Those changes leave our list of open news director jobs at 20.

Our Names in the News section has some interesting items, including a station outsourcing its news production to a sister station more than 150 miles away in another state. There’s also news of the retirement of the head of RTDNA, and a number of news managers on the move.

And there’s a lot of general managers on the move, as well.

New News Director Openings:

Lord

WUSA-TV, Washington, DC…BILL LORD is retiring after just over two years as Station Manager/News Director for this Tegna owned CBS affiliate. Bill sent this note to his staff. Before WUSA, Bill spent 12 years at WJLA-TV in Washington, the last three as GM and ND before that. He’s also been an ND in Los Angeles, Seattle (twice), and Nashville, and worked as an NBC correspondent, perhaps the only former network correspondent to be a news director in recent years.

Valentine

Tegna also announced that MICHAEL VALENTINE, a VP of News for the company, would join WUSA as Station Manager/Director of Content. He tells me the station will be hiring a news director as well. Michael’s been in that job for four years, held the same position at Belo before Tegna (nee Gannett) acquired the company, and has been an ND in Dallas, Norfolk, and Evansville.

KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX…this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate is looking for a new news director. RYAN HAZELWOOD had been the ND here for the past 4 1/2 years.

Newly Named News Directors:

Salamone

WTEN/WXXA-TV, Albany, NY…we told you earlier this week that veteran news director DAN SALAMONE would be the next ND for this ABC/FOX duopoly. WTEN is owned by Media General, but about to be acquired by Nexstar. It operates WXXA for another owner. Dan most recently was the morning EP for WFLD-TV in Chicago. He’s a former ND in Cleveland, Detroit and Providence, and a News Director/Station Manager in Portland, OR, and Albuquerque. He replaces MATT MILLER who left the station in September after a year as ND to return home to Cincinnati as a Talent Acquisition Lead for Scripps.

O’Hara

KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX…market veteran ELIZABETH O’HARA returns to TV as the next ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. She’s spent the last 2+ years as the Communications Director for the Diocese of El Paso. But Elizabeth worked for 14 years at KFOX-TV in El Paso, the last seven as news director. She started at KFOX as a reporter/weekend anchor, moved up to primary anchor, and then ND. She also worked in Anchorage and for another El Paso station. Elizabeth replaces VERONIKA PLACENCIA who left the station after just over a year.

Johnson

KESQ/CBS Local 2, Palm Desert, CA…REBECCA JOHNSON will run the news operation for this unique News Press & Gazette operation. GM MIKE STUTZ sent this note to the staff. KESQ is the ABC affiliate, and the company also runs CBS/FOX/CW and Telemundo affiliates on digital sub channels. Rebecca has been the Assistant ND at WNCN-TV in Raleigh and earlier spent 13 years at another Media General station, WPRI-TV in Providence. She’s also worked in Springfield, MA. Rebecca replaces BOB SMITH who was ND here for 10 years. He’s moving to South Carolina to be near family after a cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

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Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted this week)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (new listing this week)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted this week)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted 10/23/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 10/23/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 10/23/16)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (Special Projects/Investigative, relisted 10/30/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, listed 10/23/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (new listing this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted this week)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted this week)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/23/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (listed 11/6/16)

Names in the News:

Cavender

MIKE CAVENDER, who’s been the Executive Director of both RTDNA and RTDNF since 2011, will retire at the end of 2017. Here’s more from the organization’s website. Mike’s a previous chair of both groups and was a news director in Washington, Atlanta, Tampa, and Nashville.

Sinclair Broadcasting announced this week that it was making major changes to the news operation at its Toledo NBC affiliate, WNWO-TV. The production of news in Toledo was be outsourced to another Sinclair station, WSBT-TV in South Bend. More in this story.

There were a number of news management moves at KXAS-TV, the NBC o-and-o in Dallas/Ft. Worth this week. VP/News MARK GINTHER detailed them in a memo to the staff.

Diaz

Congratulations to MONIKA DIAZ who’s been upped to Assistant News Director for KTXL-TV, the Tribune owned FOX affiliate in Sacramento. She’s been the Managing Editor there, but came up through the reporter ranks, working in Dallas and Sacramento. You’ll learn more about her in this note to the staff from KTXL News Director ED CHAPIUS.

General Manager News:

The GM at KRON-TV in San Francisco, ASHLEY GOLD MESSINA, announced this week that she will leave this independent station at the end of the year. KRON is currently owned by Media General pending the Nexstar acquisition. She’s been the GM here for more than two years.

TRACI SCOTT WILKINSON moves across Phoenix to return to KASW-TV as GM. She’s been the Sales Manager for KSAZ-TV, but earlier worked at KASW which is a Nexstar owned CW affiliate.

BRANDEN FRANTZ returns to Cincinnati as General Manager for Hearst’s WLWT-TV. He’s been the General Sales Manager for the company’s WESH-TV in Orlando. Before moving to Florida, he was the GSM for WXIX-TV in Cincinnati.

JIMMY CROMWELL is moving from Media General’s WJTV in Jackson, MS, to run the company’s CBS affiliate in Birmingham, WIAT-TV. It’s a return to Birmingham for Jimmy, who earlier in his career worked for another station there.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 4, 2016:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road. Schenectady, NY 12309
WKRG-TV 555 Broadcast Dr. Mobile AL 36606
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KADN/KLAF-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd Lafayette, LA 70506
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
KAPP/KVEW 114 N. 4th Street Yakima, WA 98901
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV PO Box 320 Tupelo MS 38802
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292 (see ad above!)
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, Ms. 39301
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. N Twin Falls, ID 83301