May 28, 2018
Thursday, May 31, 2018 UDPATE:
Greetings:
It’s been a long time since we’ve done FOUR UPDATES in three days, but a new news director at a top ten market o-and-o warrants that.
Dobson
WBTS-TV, the NBC owned station in Boston (and branded as NBC Boston) just named BEN DOBSON as its new news director. Ben is currently the ND for NBC’s Hartford station, WVIT-TV. He won’t have trouble finding the office: it’s in the same building as necn (New England Cable News) where Ben worked for two years before returning to WVIT as ND in 2016.
This news release from the station outlines his background and tells you more about the THREE news operations he’ll oversee there.
Ben replaces KENNY PLOTNIK who left the station in April.
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Wednesday, May 30, 2018 UPDATE #2
A rare second UPDATE in one day involves filling one of the THREE news director openings at CBS o-and-o’s.
Dello Stritto
And it’s a return to Sacramento for MIKE DELLO STRITTO, who was announced as the new ND at KOVR/KMAX-TV a few minutes ago.
Mike, who’s currently the ND for Scripps’ KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas, spent more than 7 years at KOVR…first as a reporter, then managing editor, and then assistant ND. He later moved to CBS’s KPIX-TV in San Francisco as managing editor before taking his first ND job at KTNV almost three years ago.
His full background is on his Linkedin page.
Ironically, the man he is leaving Las Vegas to replace in Sacramento moved to Las Vegas for an ND job there. TOM BELL spent five years at KOVR before taking the ND job at Meredith’s KVVU-TV (FOX) earlier this month.
Looks like it might be a full newsletter this weekend!
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Wednesday, May 30, 2018 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another day, another news director change in a very big market…in fact, the biggest market.
Matthews
CHAD MATTHEWS has been promoted to VP/News Director of WABC-TV in New York. He’s been the Assistant News Director since returning to the station last year, after five years as Assistant ND for NBC’s WTVJ-TV in Miami.
Before heading to Miami, Chad had spent 12 years at WABC in a variety of roles.
More on Chad and the station can be found here.
He replaces CAMILLE EDWARDS who left the station in March after 5+ years as news director.
As always, more on this and all the week’s news in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018 UPDATE:
A veteran CBS news director has announced his retirement after a remarkable 18 years running a top ten market newsroom.
Rosenheim
DAN ROSENHEIM will retire July 7th as ND for CBS’s San Francisco station, KPIX-TV. And if 18 years at one large market station wasn’t amazing enough, it was preceded by four years as ND for KRON-TV, when it was still the NBC affiliate there. (This story from the archives covers that move.)
And all this from someone whose career started in newspapers, where he was Managing Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle (and city editor before that) when he switched to television. He also reported for two Chicago newspapers.
Dan sent me this note:
July 5 marks my 18th anniversary with the station. I am privileged – and very grateful — to have worked for CBS for this long, but it is time for me to step away. I am taking a long-scheduled vacation in early June but will return to the station to work three weeks before leaving for good.
More on this story and all the week’s news in our full newsletter later this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Greetings:
For those who have not heard, sad news from WYFF-TV in Greenville, SC, where anchor and reporter MIKE MCCORMICK and photojournalist AARON SMELTZER died Monday afternoon when a storm-weakened tree fell on their news vehicle.
Here’s the latest from the station’s website…I’m sure they will update so check the station’s website.
Our sympathy to their families, News Director BRUCE BARKLEY, and the entire staff at that Hearst owned station.
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On to our normal business.
Another slow week for news directors changes, with just ONE new opening and ONE newly named news director.
Our the list of ND openings stands at 29.
THREE of those openings are featured among our FOUR paid help wanted ads this week.
There’s an obituary for a legendary Central Illinois news director, some news managers on the move, a CBS News veteran gets an award from RTDNA, and we’ve got a picture from the fifth annual gathering of news folks (many very involved with RTDNA) here in Indianapolis.
Newly Named News Directors:
Movesian
WNEM-TV, Saginaw/Flint, MI…KARIN MOVESIAN returns to the ND chair as she takes over at this Meredith owned CBS affiliate. Here’s the note from GM JULIE ZOUMBARIS to the staff, which also details Karin’s work history. She replaces IAN RUBIN who left in March after 14 years to become ND for Raycom’s WOIO/WUAB-TV in Cleveland.
New News Director Opening:
Gonzalez
KAPP/KVEW-TV, Yakima, WA…MIKE GONZALEZ is leaving this Morgan Murphy Media duopoly, where he had been both ND and anchor. He has a new on-air job at KPNX-TV in Phoenix. Mike’s been the ND here for a little over two years and has worked in a number of places: check here for more. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted Ad below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KAPP/KVEW-TV, Yakima, WA:
KAPP/KVEW is seeking an innovative News Director to lead our news team in overseeing all aspects of daily news operation including developing quality multi-platform content for coverage of our local communities.
This opportunity is located in the Tri-Cities which is a booming metropolitan area in southeast WA where the sun shines 300 days of the year! Tri-Cities offers amazing outdoor views, cultural diversity and is known as the “Heart of Washington Wine Country.” Yakima & Kennewick, WA are ideal markets for new journalists to launch their careers, so you must lead, coach, motivate and develop the news team while fostering an environment of creativity, teamwork and high ethical standards.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Create and implement strategic plans for audience growth and newsroom operations.
Strategically lead & manage News Department including meeting station, website & digital platforms goals.
Monitor on-air and online product for Federal, State and local laws compliance.
Review daily newscasts to ensure quality control and provide feedback to staff.
Promote an environment of creativity, teamwork and high ethical standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
4 year degree – emphasis in Journalism preferred.
5+ years of journalism experience required & 3+ years of digital mediaexperience.
Working knowledge of journalistic ethics, libel, and privacy laws.
Strong ethical standards and integrity a must.
A broad-based knowledge of journalism and related standards, the news media environment and audience consumption trends.
Solid understanding of social media and digital platforms.
Exceptional leadership skills with experience hiring, developing and retaining employees.
Click here to apply.
EOE
Assistant News Director, KUTV, Salt Lake City:
Come work in one the most beautiful cities in America!
KUTV, Utah’s #1 station, is seeking an experienced and innovative Assistant News Director with strong leadership skills.
Responsibilities include:
· Assisting News Director in managing the stations’ news operations, setting budgets, establishing goals and directing the staff that produces 46+ hours of local news weekly
· Helping an ongoing development of a digital first newsroom
· Working closely with local and corporate management to maintain News content, philosophy and direction
· Reviewing and approve scripts for multiple platforms
· Watching newscasts to provide constructive feedback
· Assisting the News Director with recruiting, hiring and negotiating contracts for news department personnel
· Providing coaching to on-air talent to enhance news product
Requirements:
Journalism degree and a minimum of two years’ experience in news management with noted leadership skills is required.
· Must have a working knowledge of journalistic ethics, libel, and privacy laws
· Must have a thorough knowledge of news and current events regarding religion, nation and world as well as geography and history
· Must have a demonstrated ability to manage multiple hours of daily newscasts on two stations
· Must have 3 years of management experience
Click here to apply!
News Director, WTEN-TV, Albany, NY:
WTEN in Albany, New York is seeking an experienced News Director who is an innovative and dynamic leader, possessing excellent news judgment, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to win.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Manages all aspects of the News Department to establish and reach station goals, including ratings growth.
Oversee daily and weekly news coverage from the state capitol to regional sister stations.
Develops news coverage strategy for the station, website and mobile platforms.
Critiques newscasts on a daily basis to correct errors, improve coverage, and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience.
Minimum ten years’ news management experience, guiding, directing, and motivating co-workers.
Experience establishing long-range objectives along with the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Nestled along the Hudson River, Albany is the state capital and a great “news” market.
You would be joining the Nexstar Media Group, one of the country’s fastest growing broadcast and digital companies.
Interested candidates apply by sending email to: rromines@news10.com and by completing our online application which you can find here.
WTEN, WXXA and Nexstar Broadcasting Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
News Content Director, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:
WIS-TV, Raycom Media’s legacy NBC affiliate and digital media operation in the beautiful state capital of Columbia, South Carolina, seeks a News Content Director to lead its #1 rated news operation and award-winning team.
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned leader with a sense of urgency, who is passionate, creative and collaborative and has a track record of exceptional performance as a news content leader. Our next NCD will work with the latest technology which will enable and empower team members to deliver compelling content on all of our platforms.
Applicants should have at least 5 years’ experience as a news manager and be able to manage a large newsroom with over 34 hours of live newscasts per week. NCD must also be able to manage and develop OTT (Over The Top) news programming for our various streaming platforms. College degree in Broadcast Journalism preferred.
Qualified applicants, please apply online and attach your resume with cover letter, which should include your vision for making WIS viewers the most well served in the market.
Drug screen and MVR check required. No phone calls or emails please. EOE-M/FD/V
No phone calls or emails will be returned.
WIS Television, PO Box 367, Columbia, SC 29202.
An employment application may be downloaded from the WIS website.
All employment practices of WIS Television shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Personnel decisions and actions shall not be influenced by an applicant’s or employee’s race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin/ancestry or disability.
News Director, WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH:
WTVG-TV (ABC) in Toledo, OH (DMA #78) is seeking a News Director. Must be a strong competitive leader with excellent communication skills, a successful track record in coaching and developing news staff, and growing audience across all platforms. The ideal candidate must also have an understanding and enthusiasm for digital, social, and mobile media.
Qualifications/Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field
3 to 5 years’ experience in television news management
Outstanding knowledge of television news operations and other media platforms
Expertise in enhancing the presentation and delivery of news content through coaching and mentoring staff
Strong editorial judgment and leader in the newsroom
Understands the importance of recruiting and creating a culture of success in the newsroom
Proven administrative skills with budgeting, planning and staff scheduling
Ability to work closely with other station department heads, strategic media and community partners
Ability to meet deadlines while handling multiple tasks
Persons interested in submitting an application for the position identified above should apply online by clicking here.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
Spectrum News, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/18/18)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (new listing this week)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 4/22/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 3/25/18)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (listed 3/31/18)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 4/22/18)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listed 5/13/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, relisted 4/22/18)
WFTS-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (PM EP, new listing this week)
WOIO-TV, Cleveland, OH (new listing this week)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/25/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, relisted 4/29/18)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (listed 5/13/18)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (AM EP, listed 5/13/18)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (relisted 5/20/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 5/13/18)
WKOW-TV, Madison, WI (Senior EP, listed 4/22/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (AM EP, listing revised 4/29/18)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (PM EP, new listing this week)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (new listing this week)
Obituary:
A central Illinois news legend died this week. DICK WESTBROOK, longtime news director of WAND-TV in Decatur, IL, was 87 and passed in his sleep. Dick spent 35 years working in Decatur, IL, much of it at WAND.
Names in the News (and other items):
KPRC-TV‘s (Houston/NBC) Assistant News director, MIKE FRIEDRICH, is returning to the east coast for job out of television, as you’ll learn here.
WRAL-TV in Raleigh has filled its vacant morning EP opening with an internal promotion. KIM URSICH is moving up to fill the position. She’s been a producer there for five years, after working in Toledo, for Raleigh station, and in Charlotte.
Kearney
BERNICE KEARNEY, news director of KSAT-TV in San Antonio, has been named winner of the NAHJ Presidential Award. She’s been ND there for five years, worked at KSAT for 25 years, and has been in the business for 29. Full disclosure: she was chosen for the award by NAHJ President BRANDON BENAVIDES, who works for Bernice as her morning EP.
Congratulations to BILL WHITAKER of CBS News who will be awarded the Paul White Award at this year’s RTDNA convention in Baltimore this September.
Finally, last Thursday saw the fifth annual gathering of, uh, some very experienced news people for a luncheon here in Indianapolis. This picture below shows the 16 people who joined for an enjoyable afternoon of stories, some of which might have even been true. If you’d like to join us next year. please let me know.
L-R: Ed Godfrey, C.J. Beutien, Ray Depa, Phil Bremen, Lou Prato, his wife Carole and their daughter Lori Keating, Lucy Himstedt, Rick Gevers, Paul Davis, Roxanne Marks, Jeff Marks, Bob Priddy, Brian Trauring, Ken Kurtz and Tom Becherer.
General Manager News and Notes:
Upham
News Press and Gazette has named JERRY UPHAM General Manager of its Palm Springs cluster, which consists of KESQ-TV, CBS Local 2, KDFX-TV, KUNA-TV, and KCWQ-TV. He’ll replace MIKE STUTZ who is retiring after a long career which began in news.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Monday, May 29, 2018:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
WABC-TV 7 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023
WBBM-TV 22 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WBTS-TV 160 Wells Avenue Newton, MA 02459
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
KOVR/KMAX-TV 2713 KOVR Dr. West Sacramento, CA 95605
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
WFSB-TV 333 Capital Blvd. Rocky Hill, CT 06067
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk, VA 23510
WHAS-TV 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204 (see ad above!)
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201 (see ad above!)
WTVG-TV 4247 Dorr St. Toledo, OH 43607 (see ad above!)
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
KAPP/KVEW-TV PO Box 1749. Yakima, WA 98907 (see ad above!)
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
WOAY-TV 7113 Legends Hwy, Oak Hill, WV 25901
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301
WABG-TV 849 Washington Ave. Greenville MS 38701
**: Spanish language station