Rick Gevers & Associates

February 3, 2013

Greetings:

Lots to report in this week’s edition…something to read during the too long pre-game coverage.

While there is only ONE new ND opening, and THREE new NDs to introduce you to, there a lot of other items. One of those new NDs replaces a 45 year TV veteran.

Those changes leave our list of open ND jobs at 26.

We have a new ad for a Morning EP at a strong South Carolina station, and ads for two ND jobs.

Among many items in Names in the News, details about the departure of the President of NBC News and a top CNN executive, another veteran ND loses his job to a station consolidation, and FOX affiliates are concerned after the network notifies a longtime top 30 market affiliate that it will pull its affiliation when it closes on its purchase of two stations in that market.

And we have an obituary for one what reporter called the ‘nicest guy in TV news’.

All that…and more…after this week’s changes:

New News Director Opening:

KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA…as we reported you to in an UPDATE earlier this week, CAMERYN BECK is headed to Phoenix as ND for KTVK-TV. More on her move below. Cameryn’s been the ND for this CBS o-and-o since March, 2008, and previously worked for KCRA-TV there.

Newly Named News Directors:

Beck

KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ…as mentioned above, CAMERYN BECK will be the next news director for Belo’s KTVK-TV. She’s leaving her job as ND for KOVR-TV in Sacramento after almost five years there. Cameryn replaces BRAD REMINGTON who announced his departure last year. Brad, a former ND in Denver, St. Louis, and Albuquerque, is returning to Denver where his wife is a principal at a private school. They’ve been commuting for the four years Brad’s been at KTVK.

Stribling

WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS…WILSON STRIBLING has been promoted to ND, effective March 1, for this Raycom owned NBC affiliate (which also provides news for Jackson’s FOX station, WDBD-TV). He’s a Jackson native who first joined the staff in 1998 on a part-time basis. He later worked as a reporter and morning anchor before being promoted to Assistant News Director in 1998. Wilson’s also worked in Youngstown and Denison, TX.

Smith

He replaces longtime WLBT News Director DENNIS SMITH who will retire at the end of February. Dennis has spent 45 years in TV news, most of it at WLBT, where he’s been the news director since 1989. For the five years before that, he was the station’s investigative reporter, managing editor, and assignment manager. He began his career working for WJTV in Jackson and went on to work in Lafayette, LA, and New Orleans. He also retired as a colonel in the National Guard. Oh, he has a law degree, too! Read more about his career in this station bio.

Redding

WCSH/WLBZ-TV, Portland and Bangor ME…congratulations to MIKE REDDING who gets his first ND job for these Gannett owned stations. Mike is currently the EP for another Gannett station, WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC. He began his career as a weekend producer and weekday reporter in Springfield, MO, and later reported for 11 years in Charlotte. He’s won 28 Emmys and 2 National Edward R. Murrow Awards. His first management job was as Managing Editor for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, VA. Mike replaces MAUREEN O’BRIEN who left in November after four years as ND.

Help Wanted Ads:

Morning Executive Producer, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:

Join the #1 station in Columbia, SC! I ‘m looking to fill this key management position with a show crafter and a people manager. The right candidate will have management experience and a proven record of strong producing.

The right candidate knows how to own breaking news, is a skilled showcaser, and understands the value of strong leadership. Our morning team successfully produces 2.5 hours of news a day, and maintains the largest team of journalist for any one show at this station.

The Executive Producer will manage all morning newscasts and will set an expectation for accuracy, quality and creativity. I work closely with the Executive Producer to develop our greater strategy, but this right candidate is responsible for execution. Our next Executive Producer will also have the luxury of training and leadership guidance through our parent company, Raycom. Company matters, and Raycom is among the top companies to work for in this industry.

If you are interested, and up for the challenge, contact Rashida Jones, News Director immediately. Email is best: rjones@wistv.com or via mail to:

Rashida Jones
News Director
WIS-TV
1111 Bull St.
Columbia SC 29201

News Director, KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City, OK:

Seeking experienced News Director with strong leadership, coverage, and production skills!

KFOR/KAUT produces 50+ hours of news and local programming each week. This is a big job and requires strong leadership skills. The primary task for our next News Director is to manage a strategic plan that’s viewer-focused. Position requires experienced management of the station’s news operations, strategic goals, budgets, and staff.

Core Job Functions:

• Achieve specific goals for audience share growth, direct news and production staff, manage news gathering resources, direct interactive platform initiatives, and integrate news coverage and local programming with other station operations.
• Work with News management to achieve a viewer-focused News and Local Programming content strategy.
• Manage Human Resource tasks, including hiring, job evaluation, training, and team building to create a positive work environment.
• Serve as a fair and inclusive leader in the newsroom offering guidance and collaboration in a team-building atmosphere.
• Maintain day-to-day budget controls, controlling and monitoring overtime and other costs.
• Work with news management to develop productive work schedules that best utilize all available resources.
• Works in collaboration with all other station department heads and their respective departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Successful candidate needs experience in managing a complex news operation, preferably 3 to 5 years experience as a News Director or equivalent. Experience and knowledge of News practices and procedures, FCC guidelines as they relate to news, research and promotional tools as they relate to news, and firm grasp of strategic news planning and positioning.

Please send all inquiries via email to: jobs@kfor.com

or via mail to:

Human Resources
KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV
444 E. Britton Rd.
Oklahoma City OK 73114

News Director, KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS:

Sunflower Broadcasting, Inc. (Wichita, Kansas) is looking for a News Director to lead our news team. The candidate we are looking for understands responsible journalism and can lead a team to produce exciting newscasts that both inform and educate viewers. A passion to win weather and sports is a must. Knowledge of digital media and implementation of social media strategies should be demonstrated in current position.

We are HD, all field crews have laptops and smart phones. We have the tools and a state-of-the art newsroom to get the job done.

Sunflower consists of 16 channels of distribution including: KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV, bureau stations KBSD-TV, KBSH-TV, KBSL-TV, a JSA with Spanish Station KDCU, a 24-hour digital and mobile weather channel and two dynamic websites (one of which focuses on high school sports) and apps for news, sports and weather. The CBS affiliate KWCH leads the market in ratings and produces more than 45 hours of local news each week.

Watch Eyewitness News on-line and send your critiques of the product and how you believe
you can move the product and team forward. Critiques can be uploaded with your resume through the Career Center.

Don’t miss this chance to work for one of the best broadcasting companies in the business at their dynamic operation in Wichita, which executes more like a top 20 market than a top 70.
Sunflower is owned by Schurz Communications and managed by Joan Barrett. If you are ready to lead a winning team, access this link to learn more about the position and search Requisition Number SUN1122

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/12/13)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (relisted this week)
WNCT-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/12)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/22/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted this week)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (Two openings, AM & PM/EP, listing updated this week)
KXNV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Special Projects EP, listing revised this week)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Dayside EP, listed 12/30/12)
WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/7/12)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 1/19/13)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (PM EP, listed 1/19/13)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 1/19/13)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (PM EP, listed 1/6/13)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (new listing this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listing revised this week)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted this week)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 1/19/13)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted this week)
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV (Morning EP, relisted 12/15/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (relisted this week)

Obituary:

Our sympathy to the family, friends, and co-workers of MARK TAYLOR, a video editor and producer for WAGA-TV in Atlanta. Mark died of a heart attack January 18th while sitting in at edit booth at the station. He was 54. DOUG RICHARDS, a reporter for WXIA-TV in Atlanta who had earlier worked with Mark at WAGA, calls him “The Nicest Guy in TV news in this remembrance.

Situations Wanted:

No takers this week on our free Situations Wanted listing. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 100 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:

Capus

Two network executives announced their departures this week. STEVE CAPUS announced he’s leaving as President of NBC News. He’s been the longest tenured network news president.

Whitaker

And MARK WHITAKER, the VP and Managing Editor at CNN, also is stepping down. He says he is leaving to give new CNN President JEFF ZUCKER room to communicate one clear vision for the network’s future. He’s been at CNN since 2011 and previously worked for NBC News, the Washington Post, as well as Newsweek magazine.

FOX has purchased two stations in Charlotte from Capitol Broadcasting, and notified its current affiliate there, WCCB-TV, that it plans to yank its affiliation once the deal closes. That’s made many FOX affiliates nervous, according to this article.

WTVW-TV in Evansville, IN, will become a CW affiliate. Evansville has been without an affiliate for about a month since financially troubled WAZE-TV shut down. WTVW had been a FOX affiliate until July, 2011, when it lost its affiliation.

Nexstar (owned for KARK-TV and KARZ-TV) and Mission Broadcasting (which just closed on its purchase of KLRT-TV and KASN-TV) have merged their Little Rock operations, leaving longtime KLRT-TV News Director ED TRAUSCHKE and GM CHUCK SPOHN out of work. They were among 30 people who lost their jobs.

Nexstar also named RICHARD DOUTRE JONES the GM of its Salt Lake City duopoly, KTVX/KUCW. He replaces MATT JAQUINT.

Longtime newsman PETE JACOBUS is back in a newsroom. He’s serving as the interim ND for News Press & Gazette’s KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, CO. He recently left WPTY/WLMT-TV in Memphis after three years as ND. Pete’s also been a news director in San Francisco, Detroit, and Philadelphia, and also worked for Magid and ABC.

Congratulations to WKRN-TV (Nashville) News Director MATTHEW ZELKIND on his induction into the Silver Circle of the Mid-South Emmy region. Matthew’s currently in his second stint as ND at WKRN, split by an assignment as Station Manager for sister Young station WRIC-TV in Richmond. He’s also been an ND in Wichita and Las Vegas, and worked in Denver and Los Angeles.

BRIAN KANZIGER may have set…or at least tied…the record for the longest possible move between TV stations within the continental U.S. He started last month as an EP for KIRO-TV in Seattle. He had been working for WSVN-TV in Miami.

While Brian was arriving in Seattle, ERIK BREON was leaving. He’s followed former boss PAT COSTELLO to KNXV-TV in Phoenix where he’ll be the morning EP. Erik had been the 11 PM EP for KING-TV.

Two management moves at KATU-TV in Portland, OR. Morning EP KAREN VAN VLECK was promoted to dayside EP. And 5:00 PM producer DAVE TRAUSNECK moved up to morning EP.

Former KATV (Little Rock) News Director RANDY DIXON is the new director of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas. He spent 31 years at KATV (ten as news director), starting as a photographer.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Friday, January 25, 2013.

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

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 *
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60601
KTVU-TV 2 Jack London Square Oakland CA 94607
WGCL-TV 425 14th St. NW Atlanta GA 30318
KOVR-TV 2713 Kovr Drive Sacramento CA 95605
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46204
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville TN 37228
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108
WXIX-TV 635 W. Seventh St. Cincinnati OH 45203
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV 444 E. Britton Rd. Oklahoma City OK 73114 (see ad above!)
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510
WPTY/WLMT 2701 Union Ave. Ext. Memphis TN 38112
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
WDTN-TV 4595 S. Dixie Highway Dayton OH 45439
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV 2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67209 (see ad above!)
WGME-TV 81 Northport Dr. Portland ME 04103
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs CO 80905
KEYT-TV 730 Miramonte Dr. Santa Barbara CA 93109
KRIS/KZTV 301 Artesian St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd. Rockford IL 61105
WVVA-TV Rte. 460 Bypass Bluefield, WV 24701
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse St. Jackson TN 38301

* Spanish language station

January 26, 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013 UPDATE:

There are TWO news director moves in top 20 markets to report, but only ONE person is involved.

Beck

That’s because CAMERYN BECK is leaving one top twenty market station, KOVR-KMAX-TV, the CBS o-and-o duopoly in Sacramento, to become the ND for Belo’s KTVK-TV in Phoenix. Most of you know that KTVK is a true independent but is very competitive in the news ratings in Phoenix.

Cameryn’s been ND at KOVR since March 2008. She was promoted to the job from EP, and previously had worked for KCRA-TV in Sacramento.

At KTVK, she’ll replace BRAD REMINGTON who announced he was leaving last fall. Brad will return to Denver where his wife is a principal at a private school. They’ve been doing the commuter thing for the four years that Brad’s been ND at KTVK.

More on these changes and all the news, including the retirement of a longtime Mississippi news director, in our full newsletter later this week.

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

Just TWO new ND openings in this week’s report, and, as far as I know, no new news directors were named this week.

That brings our list of open ND jobs to 27.

We have paid ads for both the new openings, as well as ads for two other ND jobs and two EP openings. If you apply for any of those jobs, please let them know where you learned about the openings.

We also have a few new news management openings in our section on Other News Management Openings.

Unfortunately we have four obituaries this week, including one for a Cleveland Assignment Editor and the father of a veteran ND.

And there are some interesting items in Names in the News.

All that and more after this for the Kneeland Project:

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now

Apply today!

It’s time to apply for The Kneeland Project’s life-changing April 10-13 session in Austin, TX. Applications are due next Thursday.

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

• What’s missing from your social media strategy?
• The world can be sloppy – leadership and ethics in a 24-7 socially networked world.
• What’s happening to our business – what’s ahead in the next three, five, ten years?
• Big J Millennials?
• Our viewers have changed. Now it’s our turn.
• How newsroom systems must evolve to meet the challenges of our business.

Selected news directors will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.

It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. News Directors return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.

Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program and applications are due Thursday, January 31st. Apply today!

New News Director Openings:

KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City, OK…MARY ANN ECKSTEIN has left this NBC affiliate after 33 years at the station, which is now owned by LocalTV. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.

Soares

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…after just four months at this CBS affilaite, JOHN SOARES has left this Sunflower Broadcasting owned operation. He previously had been ND at WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN for two years. John has also worked in California. Old friend TOM LINDNER from parent company Schurz Broadcasting will serve as the interim news director. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.

Newly Named News Directors:

I’m not aware of any newly hired NDs this week (a reminder that we always appreciate your tips), but I do need to correct something from last week.

In our report on DAN BALL’s appointment as ND for WFFT-TV in Ft. Wayne, IN, we called it a FOX affiliate. It once was, but hasn’t been since August, 2011. It is now an independent station.

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City, OK:

Seeking experienced News Director with strong leadership, coverage, and production skills!

KFOR/KAUT produces 50+ hours of news and local programming each week. This is a big job and requires strong leadership skills. The primary task for our next News Director is to manage a strategic plan that’s viewer-focused. Position requires experienced management of the station’s news operations, strategic goals, budgets, and staff.

Core Job Functions:

• Achieve specific goals for audience share growth, direct news and production staff, manage news gathering resources, direct interactive platform initiatives, and integrate news coverage and local programming with other station operations.
• Work with News management to achieve a viewer-focused News and Local Programming content strategy.
• Manage Human Resource tasks, including hiring, job evaluation, training, and team building to create a positive work environment.
• Serve as a fair and inclusive leader in the newsroom offering guidance and collaboration in a team-building atmosphere.
• Maintain day-to-day budget controls, controlling and monitoring overtime and other costs.
• Work with news management to develop productive work schedules that best utilize all available resources.
• Works in collaboration with all other station department heads and their respective departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Successful candidate needs experience in managing a complex news operation, preferably 3 to 5 years experience as a News Director or equivalent. Experience and knowledge of News practices and procedures, FCC guidelines as they relate to news, research and promotional tools as they relate to news, and firm grasp of strategic news planning and positioning.

Please send all inquiries via email to: jobs@kfor.com

or via mail to:

Human Resources
KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV
444 E. Britton Rd.
Oklahoma City OK 73114

News Director, KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS:

Sunflower Broadcasting, Inc. (Wichita, Kansas) is looking for a News Director to lead our news team. The candidate we are looking for understands responsible journalism and can lead a team to produce exciting newscasts that both inform and educate viewers. A passion to win weather and sports is a must. Knowledge of digital media and implementation of social media strategies should be demonstrated in current position.

We are HD, all field crews have laptops and smart phones. We have the tools and a state-of-the art newsroom to get the job done.

Sunflower consists of 16 channels of distribution including: KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV, bureau stations KBSD-TV, KBSH-TV, KBSL-TV, a JSA with Spanish Station KDCU, a 24-hour digital and mobile weather channel and two dynamic websites (one of which focuses on high school sports) and apps for news, sports and weather. The CBS affiliate KWCH leads the market in ratings and produces more than 45 hours of local news each week.

Watch Eyewitness News on-line and send your critiques of the product and how you believe
you can move the product and team forward. Critiques can be uploaded with your resume through the Career Center.

Don’t miss this chance to work for one of the best broadcasting companies in the business at their dynamic operation in Wichita, which executes more like a top 20 market than a top 70.
Sunflower is owned by Schurz Communications and managed by Joan Barrett. If you are ready to lead a winning team, access this link to learn more about the position and search Requisition Number SUN1122

News Director, WZTV, Nashville, TN:

FOX 17 in Nashville, TN is searching for an experienced, hands-on News Director to lead the rebuilding of a great news operation.

Candidates need to show an aggressive and competitive style of news management, and possess the ability to lead a strong digital news initiative. Must also be able to be a leader and a teacher with significant knowledge of television journalism, ethics and law.

The position requires day-to-day management and improvement of news content and quality on all platforms. The News Director will also be responsible for maintaining a budget and properly handling all personnel issues. Candidates must show thorough knowledge of current news events as well as the ability to produce newscasts that meet and exceed current industry standards. The position requires strong talent recruiting and development skills.

The News Director at WZTV works with the station’s General Manager and Corporate to establish and build a news philosophy that keeps the television news operation competitive and profitable. Must have a minimum of three years upper level news management experience and a related college degree.

Apply online by going to www.sbgi.net/employment

EEO/Drug Free

News Director, KEYT-TV, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, CA:

KEYT News Channel 3, located high atop TV Hill in beautiful Santa Barbara, is seeking an extraordinary leader to head a growing news team. We have just been acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company, and are making huge capital investments to build a dominant local news organization.

Our News Director will be a visionary leader, understand how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skill set to maximize content and customer loyalty on digital and social medial platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

Quality and innovation drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us on this quest. We are growing, innovating and positioning our team to dominate the market. Looking for long-term players who love the quality of life on the California Coast and who would be proud to call Santa Barbara home. Minimum five years of television news management experience. A combination of experience and/or education may also be considered.

If you want to be a part of our success, please send your resume and cover letter, along with your news philosophy to:

Human Resources
KEYT-TV
730 Miramonte Drive
Santa Barbara CA 93109

or via email to lindseygarcia@keyt.com

KEYT-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Executive Producer, WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN:

WSMV-TV is looking for an innovative and proactive Executive Producer to keep our newscasts and producing team moving forward. The Executive Producer supervises the look and content of multiple newscasts in order to ensure accuracy, quality, and adherence to ratings and research strategies. Responsible for generating coverage ideas, creating and improving newscast elements, and reviewing scripts. Will also be involved in a wide array of newsroom decisions and projects as a member of a collaborative news management team.

The EP is responsible for year-round performance management of our producers and associate producers, and must have a demonstrated track record of strong coaching and direct feedback. Other projects and responsibilities as assigned by news director. Must be willing to work long or unusual hours as news needs require, including occasional nights, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications or related field. Minimum five years producing newscasts. Two years as Executive Producer or Supervising Producer preferred. INews proficiency, computer and newsroom software. Excellent Benefits.

To apply, click here to get to the Meredith Careers site.

EOE

Executive Producer, KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA:

KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA is seeking a full-time Executive Producer to lead our top-rated morning news. You might be thinking “morning?!” Yak! “Spokane?! Isn’t that where it rains all the time?” You need to see this in person. Our morning show has more resources than markets three times our size (3 live reporters, 2 anchors with a decade of tenure, and more toys than you could play with). And take it from a Florida boy, the inland northwest is a winter wonderland with plenty to keep you busy indoors too. The summers are simply unbeatable. As for the job: you should be able to handle the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, working closely with producers and reporters to shape coverage; but a qualified candidate will also make sure we stay true to brand by staying in front of breaking news and driving our interactive coverage. We also want someone who can develop, train and coach producers, reporters, and editors to cover the effects of a story, not just the event. Oh, and there’s the typical stuff like overseeing staff work schedules and establishing new workflows that save everyone time.

Qualified candidates please apply online and/or email resume to Neal Boling, Executive Director of Content and Operations: neal.boling@khq.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/12/13)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (relisted 11/17/12)
WNCT-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 11/17/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/12)
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/23/12)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/22/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (AM/EP, listed 12/15/12)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/23/12)
KXNV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (2 Openings, AM EP & Special Projects, new listing this week)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Dayside EP, listed 12/30/12)
WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/7/12)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, listing revised 12/7/12)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 1/19/13)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (PM EP, listed 1/19/13)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 1/19/13, see ad above!)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (PM EP, listed 1/6/13)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (2 openings, listed 11/3/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 1/19/13, see ad above!)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 11/23/12)
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV (Morning EP, relisted 12/15/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 12/1/12)

Obituaries:

Fink

DANIELLE FINK, a longtime assignment editor for WKYC-TV in Cleveland died last weekend in a car accident in North Olmsted, OH. She was 48, and had spent more than 20 years working for the NBC affiliate, which paid tribute to her in this story. Danielle had earlier worked at WEWS-TV in Cleveland.

BOB NORMAN, a former news director and anchor in Hartford, CT, died Saturday, January 19th, at the age of 77. He later went into politics and served three terms as mayor of East Haven, CT.

PAUL POHLMAN, a longtime faculty member for the Poynter Institute, died last week after a brief illness. He was 70.

Our sympathy to WCNC-TV (Charlotte, NC) News Director CORRIE HARDING on the death of his father. JOHN HARDING died last Wednesday in Cleveland after a two year battle with lung cancer. Corrie’s also been an ND in Pittsburgh, and worked in Columbus, OH, Washington, DC, Dallas and Cleveland. A sympathetic note would reach him at: charding@wcnc.com

Situations Wanted:

No takers this week on our free Situations Wanted listing. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 100 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:

Mason

Longtime CBS News executive LINDA MASON has announced her retirement. She’s been with CBS for 47 years, starting as a radio desk assistant. She’s currently Senior VP of Standards and Specials. Linda was the first female producer on the CBS Evening News. Click here to read more about her remarkable career.

WWAY-TV (Wilmington, NC) News Director SCOTT PICKEY was arrested this week for for failing to obey a traffic officer during the Martin Luther King parade in Wilmington. The station reported on his arrest, which you can see here.

LES VANN, a former ND and anchor in Springfield, IL, who’s been a GM in a variety of markets, has been named VP/GM of LIN Media’s WJCL/WGTS in Savannah, GA.

KSNV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, says it plans to drop all its syndicated programs in favor of local news by 2016. If that holds true, the station would air only news and information programming from 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with the lone exception of Days of our Lives.

MISSION OF HOPE, a documentary produced by longtime news manager DAN COHEN, premieres this week on PBS (as they say, check your local listings.) It’s about the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia, the loss of all seven astronauts, including the first Israeli astronaut and what he was carrying. Dan’s worked as a producer and EP in Washington, Miami, and Orlando.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Friday, January 25, 2013.

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

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 (address corrected) *
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60601
KTVU-TV 2 Jack London Square Oakland CA 94607
WGCL-TV 425 14th St. NW Atlanta GA 30318
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AX 85013
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46204
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville TN 37228 (see ad above!)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108
WXIX-TV 635 W. Seventh St. Cincinnati OH 45203
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV 444 E. Britton Rd. Oklahoma City OK 73114 (see ad above!)
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510
WPTY/WLMT 2701 Union Ave. Ext. Memphis TN 38112
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
WDTN-TV 4595 S. Dixie Highway Dayton OH 45439
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV 2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67209 (see ad above!)
WGME-TV 81 Northport Dr. Portland ME 04103
WCSH-TV One Congress Square Portland ME 04101
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs CO 80905
KETY-TV 730 Miramonte Dr. Santa Barbara CA 93109 (see ad above!)
KRIS/KZTV 301 Artesian St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd. Rockford IL 61105
WVVA-TV Rte. 460 Bypass Bluefield, WV 24701
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse St. Jackson TN 38301

* Spanish language station

January 20, 2013

Greetings:

Another busy week to tell you about, with TWO new ND openings and THREE new NDs to tell you about.

Our list of open ND jobs now stands at 25.

We have paid ads for FOUR of those ND openings, as well as ads for TWO EP jobs. And you’ll see an ad soliciting applications for a training program for NDs.

We have some new news managers to tell you about, an obit for a longtime Chicago newsman, and a new baby for a former Indianapolis and Houston ND.

All that and more after this ad for the Kneeland Project:

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now

Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is currently accepting applications for their April 10-13 session in Austin, Texas. Applications are due Thursday, January 31 and applications are available here.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news directors. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
What’s missing from your social media strategy?
The world can be sloppy – leadership and ethics in the 24-7 media world.
What’s happening to our business – what’s ahead in the next three, five, ten years?
Big J Millennials?
Our viewers have changed. Now it’s our turn.
How newsroom systems must evolve to meet the challenges of our business.
Participants will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.

It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. Journalists return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.

Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!

New News Director Openings:

KEYT-TV, Santa Barbara, CA…this News-Press and Gazette owned station is expanding the news operation and looking for a full time ND. C.J. WARD has been both ND and anchor, a job he’s held since the summer of 2011. He’ll now concentrate on anchoring full time. KEYT is an ABC affiliate. You can learn move about this opportunity in the paid ad below.

WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV…MARK RIGSBY has left this Quincy owned NBC affiliate after three years as news director. He previously was the Assistant ND for KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids, IA. He’s also worked in Charleston/Huntington, WV, Clarksburg, WV, and Wilmington, NC.

And while they are not new openings, please note that we have paid help wanted ads below for ND opportunities in Nashville, Indianapolis, and Kansas City.

Newly Named News Directors:

Blue

WNWO-TV, Toledo, OH…JIM BLUE returns to this Barrington Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. He left the station in 2008 when it did not renew his contract, and has been working as the ND/Anchor for WFFT-TV in Ft. Wayne (more on that below).  At WNWO, he’ll replace AMYLYA RAGHUVEER who is taking a new role as Director of Digital Content and Community Relations.

Ball

WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN…DAN BALL has been named ND/Anchor for this Nexstar owned independent station.   (It had been the FOX affiliate until August, 2011.)   As noted above, he’ll replace JIM BLUE who’s returning to Toledo as ND/Anchor for WNWO-TV. Dan most recently had been an anchor for KSNV-TV in Las Vegas. He’s also worked in Grand Rapids, MI, Fresno, and Palm Springs, CA.  Jim Blue was the first ND for the station.

Huger

WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA…DARRYL HUGER moves within Raycom to become ND for this ABC affiliate. He’s currently the Assistant ND for another Raycom station, WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC where he’s worked since 2007. At WTVM, he replaces TOM BURKE who left the station in December and is looking for a new position in a larger market.

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WZTV, Nashville, TN:

FOX 17 in Nashville, TN is searching for an experienced, hands-on News Director to lead the rebuilding of a great news operation.

Candidates need to show an aggressive and competitive style of news management, and possess the ability to lead a strong digital news initiative. Must also be able to be a leader and a teacher with significant knowledge of television journalism, ethics and law.

The position requires day-to-day management and improvement of news content and quality on all platforms. The News Director will also be responsible for maintaining a budget and properly handling all personnel issues. Candidates must show thorough knowledge of current news events as well as the ability to produce newscasts that meet and exceed current industry standards. The position requires strong talent recruiting and development skills.

The News Director at WZTV works with the station’s General Manager and Corporate to establish and build a news philosophy that keeps the television news operation competitive and profitable. Must have a minimum of three years upper level news management experience and a related college degree.

Apply online by going to www.sbgi.net/employment

EEO/Drug Free

News Director, KEYT-TV, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, CA:

KEYT News Channel 3, located high atop TV Hill in beautiful Santa Barbara, is seeking an extraordinary leader to head a growing news team. We have just been acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company, and are making huge capital investments to build a dominant local news organization.

Our News Director will be a visionary leader, understand how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skill set to maximize content and customer loyalty on digital and social medial platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

Quality and innovation drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us on this quest. We are growing, innovating and positioning our team to dominate the market. Looking for long-term players who love the quality of life on the California Coast and who would be proud to call Santa Barbara home. Minimum five years of television news management experience. A combination of experience and/or education may also be considered.

If you want to be a part of our success, please send your resume and cover letter, along with your news philosophy to:

Human Resources
KEYT-TV
730 Miramonte Drive
Santa Barbara CA 93109

or via email to lindseygarcia@keyt.com

KEYT-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Executive Producer, WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN:

WSMV-TV is looking for an innovative and proactive Executive Producer to keep our newscasts and producing team moving forward. The Executive Producer supervises the look and content of multiple newscasts in order to ensure accuracy, quality, and adherence to ratings and research strategies. Responsible for generating coverage ideas, creating and improving newscast elements, and reviewing scripts. Will also be involved in a wide array of newsroom decisions and projects as a member of a collaborative news management team.

The EP is responsible for year-round performance management of our producers and associate producers, and must have a demonstrated track record of strong coaching and direct feedback. Other projects and responsibilities as assigned by news director. Must be willing to work long or unusual hours as news needs require, including occasional nights, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications or related field. Minimum five years producing newscasts. Two years as Executive Producer or Supervising Producer preferred. INews proficiency, computer and newsroom software. Excellent Benefits.

To apply, click here to get to the Meredith Careers site.

EOE

Executive Producer, KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA:

KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA is seeking a full-time Executive Producer to lead our top-rated morning news. You might be thinking “morning?!” Yak! “Spokane?! Isn’t that where it rains all the time?” You need to see this in person. Our morning show has more resources than markets three times our size (3 live reporters, 2 anchors with a decade of tenure, and more toys than you could play with). And take it from a Florida boy, the inland northwest is a winter wonderland with plenty to keep you busy indoors too. The summers are simply unbeatable. As for the job: you should be able to handle the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, working closely with producers and reporters to shape coverage; but a qualified candidate will also make sure we stay true to brand by staying in front of breaking news and driving our interactive coverage. We also want someone who can develop, train and coach producers, reporters, and editors to cover the effects of a story, not just the event. Oh, and there’s the typical stuff like overseeing staff work schedules and establishing new workflows that save everyone time.

Qualified candidates please apply online and/or email resume to Neal Boling, Executive Director of Content and Operations: neal.boling@khq.com

News Director, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN:

WTHR-TV, Indiana’s News Leader, is seeking a news director to lead this extraordinary team. We are a dominant station, nationally recognized, award-winning, locally owned station seeking a dynamic visionary leader.

Must truly know how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skill set to maximize content and customer loyalty on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

Quality drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us and lead us on this quest. Looking for long term players who love the quality of the Midwest and who would be proud to call Indiana home. Minimum 7 years experience in news management and proven track record of major story coverage and ratings success.

Please include your news philosophy along with your resume and cover letter when applying online here.

DISPATCH BROADCAST GROUP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

News Director, KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO:

KSHB-TV, an NBC affiliate in Kansas City, MO is a station on the move! We are seeking a highly talented and experienced News Director with a proven track record of effective team building and strong news judgment. This candidate will understand the importance of viewer benefit and telling stories that go beyond the official/traditional angles.

Strong leadership skills and the ability to coach a large staff are also highly necessary. We are looking for someone who will continue to build our reputation of award-winning news coverage, and the highest journalistic standards

The successful candidate will possess 5-7 years’ experience in newsroom management and television production desired. Must have proven and effective leadership skills; fosters open dialogue, empowers others, addresses conflict quickly and directly. Strong organizational and communication skills (verbal and written) required.

Send resume and a letter of introduction via email to: brian.bracco@kshb.com

or via mail to:

Brian Bracco
General Manager
KSHB-TV
4720 Oak Street
Kansas City MO 64112

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/12/13)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (relisted 11/17/12)
WNCT-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 11/17/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/12)
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/23/12)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/22/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (AM/EP, listed 12/15/12)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/23/12)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Dayside EP, listed 12/30/12)
WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/7/12)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, listing revised 12/7/12)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (new listing this week)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (PM EP, new listing this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (PM EP, listed 1/6/12)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted 1/12/13)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (2 openings, listed 11/3/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 11/23/12)
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV (Morning EP, relisted 12/15/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/28/12)

Obituary and Memorial Information:

JIM EDWARDS, a longtime investigative producer for WBBM-TV in Chicago, died last week of a heart attack at the age of 63. This story from ROBERT FEDER tells us that Jim also had a career in radio under the name of JAKE HARTFORD. (His ‘air name’ was a tribute to his colleague WALTER JACOBSON and Jacobson’s dog, Hartford!)

And our sympathy to former Grand Rapids and Indianapolis News Director PATTI McGETTIGAN on the death of her brother. BILL McGETTIGAN died of bladder cancer on December 15th. A kind note would reach Patti at: patti.mcgettigan@gmail.com

Situations Wanted:

Our Situations Wanted listings are free. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 100 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.

MEET MARK PETROVICH:

Seasoned, experienced news and sports producer with 20m plus years of major market experience looking to take the next big step.

Looking for Executive Producer or Assistant News Director position.

I have over 25 years of experience. I am currently working for NASA in Media Relations but want to get back into news or sports. Click here to see my resume.

Contact Mark Petrovich at mpetro16@aol.com or call me at 818-395-1666 if you are looking for someone like me.

Names in the News:

Kerkman

MAGGIE KERKMAN has a new job and doesn’t have to move. She’s joined KTVT-TV in Dallas as the EP of Special Projects. She’s been working as the FOX News Network producer in Dallas. Maggie has also worked in Philadelphia, Phoenix, Cincinnati, and Ft. Myers, FL.

Eldridge

LEE ELDRIDGE is the new Assistant News Director for KUSI-TV in San Diego. Lee left his last ND job at Louisville’s WAVE-TV in 2010 to move to California to help care for his significant other who was battling cancer. He also helped run her business. She’s now recovered and Lee’s now back in a newsroom.  In addition to Louisville, Lee’s been an ND in Rochester, NY, Chattanooga, and Greenville, NC. He’s also worked in Atlanta and Memphis.

JEN BILLINGS returns to KWTV in Oklahoma City as EP for PM Content. She had been the morning EP there before leaving in 2007 to work in public relations.

Two GM moves this week.  ARDY DIERCKS will be the next GM for Nexstar’s trio of stations in Memphis, including WPTY-TV, the ABC affiliate there.  She’s a former GM in Washington, Miami, St. Louis, and Austin, TX.  And CHARLES HENRICH joins Journal Broadcasting as GM for its Ft. Myers station, WFTX-TV. He’s been a VP/Operations for Newport Television, and replaces JUDY KENNEY, who retired.

Connors

And congratulations to veteran ND KEITH CONNORS and his wife KARLA on the latest addition to their family, STELLA CONNORS.  Stella was born last Monday at 4:45 AM and weighed in a 7′ 12″. She joins brothers Cristian and Max (both under four years old) in a busy Connors household. Mom and Stella are doing well. Keith, of course, is a former ND in Indianapolis, Houston, Charlotte, Norfolk, and Rochester, NY. Wish he and Karla well via an email to: johnkeithconnors@gmail.com

Our Full List of ND Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, January 19, 2013.

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

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 (address corrected) *
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60601
KTVU-TV 2 Jack London Square Oakland CA 94607
WGCL-TV 425 14th St. NW Atlanta GA 30318
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AX 85013
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46204 (see ad above!)
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville TN 37228 (see ad above!)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112 (see ad above!)
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108
WXIX-TV 635 W. Seventh St. Cincinnati OH 45203
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510
WPTY/WLMT 2701 Union Ave. Ext. Memphis TN 38112
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
WDTN-TV 4595 S. Dixie Highway Dayton OH 45439
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
WGME-TV 81 Northport Dr. Portland ME 04103
WCSH-TV One Congress Square Portland ME 04101
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs CO 80905
KEYT-TV 730 Miramonte Dr. Santa Barbara CA 93109 (see ad above!)
KRIS/KZTV 301 Artesian St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd. Rockford IL 61105
WVVA-TV Rte. 460 Bypass Bluefield, WV 24701
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse St. Jackson TN 38301

January 12, 2013

Greetings:

The first full week of 2013 brings a full newsletter, with TWO  new ND openings and THREE  new NDs to tell you about.

Our list of open ND jobs now stands at  24.

We have paid help wanted ads for FOUR of those openings, as well as an ad for an EP job in Birmingham.

There’s an obituary for a longtime Texas ND and anchor, and some memorial information for WALKER MERRYMAN whose passing we reported last week.

And there are lots of items in Names in the News, including a replacement for BRIAN BRACCO at Hearst, lots of management moves, and a cable channel reorganization that leaves two veteran news people on the beach.

All that and more below.

New News Director Openings:

Chapuis

KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA…longtime Northern California ND ED CHAPUIS has announced his resignation after ten years as ND here. Ed previously spent five years as the ND for KCRA-TV in Sacramento, and was also an ND in Las Vegas. He began his career in his hometown of Chicago, where he worked in a variety of roles at WMAQ-TV.  He served as Managing Editor for KCRA before his ND stint in Las Vegas. KTVU is owned by Cox and is a FOX affiliate.

WZTV, Nashville, TN…ROBERTA PETTERSON has left this Sinclair Broadcasting owned FOX affiliate after two and a half years as ND. She’s previously worked in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Tulsa.

Newly Named News Directors:

Cope-Walton

WRTV, Indianapolis, IN…we told you earlier this week that TERRI COPE-WALTON has been promoted here. Terri’s been the Assistant ND for the past year and the interim ND since KEVIN FINCH left the station in November. She first joined this ABC affiliate in 1998 as a morning producer but has spent most of her time here in Community Affairs. She’s also worked in Dayton. Terri becomes the sixth ND here since the summer of 2002.

Parker

KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR…former WCAU-TV (Philadelphia) Assistant News Director DAVE PARKER is on the job as ND for this Gannett-owned CBS affiliate. He spent 10 years at WCAU, previously was the Assistant ND at WMAR-TV in Baltimore and ND for WDSI-TV in Chattanooga, TN. He started his career as a reporter for WHBQ-TV in Memphis. He replaces CHUCK MAULDEN who left the station in October and is now the ND for KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO.

Sipes

KAKE-TV, Wichita, KS…MICHAEL SIPES will be the next ND for this Gray TV owned ABC affiliate. He most recently spent five years as ND for KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, a job he left last month. He previously has been an ND in Kansas City, Louisville, and Jackson, MS. He replaces DAVE GRANT who stepped down as ND but will remain at the station as Assistant ND. Dave’s been ND since 2006 and with the station since 1996.

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN:

WTHR-TV, Indiana’s News Leader, is seeking a news director to lead this extraordinary team. We are a dominant station, nationally recognized, award-winning, locally owned station seeking a dynamic visionary leader.

Must truly know how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skill set to maximize content and customer loyalty on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

Quality drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us and lead us on this quest. Looking for long term players who love the quality of the Midwest and who would be proud to call Indiana home. Minimum 7 years experience in news management and proven track record of major story coverage and ratings success.

Please include your news philosophy along with your resume and cover letter when applying online here.

DISPATCH BROADCAST GROUP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

News Director, KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO:

KSHB-TV, an NBC affiliate in Kansas City, MO is a station on the move! We are seeking a highly talented and experienced News Director with a proven track record of effective team building and strong news judgment. This candidate will understand the importance of viewer benefit and telling stories that go beyond the official/traditional angles.

Strong leadership skills and the ability to coach a large staff are also highly necessary. We are looking for someone who will continue to build our reputation of award-winning news coverage, and the highest journalistic standards

The successful candidate will possess 5-7 years’ experience in newsroom management and television production desired. Must have proven and effective leadership skills; fosters open dialogue, empowers others, addresses conflict quickly and directly. Strong organizational and communication skills (verbal and written) required.

Send resume and a letter of introduction via email to: brian.bracco@kshb.com

or via mail to:

Brian Bracco
General Manager
KSHB-TV
4720 Oak Street
Kansas City MO 64112

News Director, WPIX-TV, New York, NY:

New York’s PIX11 is offering an unmatched opportunity to reinvent television news. We’re looking for a leader who is willing to break all of the traditional newsroom rules in an effort to create interesting, compelling and relevant content for our viewers. If you are glued to a desk, dreaming of the good old days of TV news, please don’t apply. This is a job for an innovative “show doctor” who is willing to roll up his or her sleeves and give New Yorkers a reason to appointment view our over-the-air and digital products. This project will make Outward Bound look like a picnic, but the rewards of creating a multi-platform content center in the nation’s #1 market will leave your head spinning. This job is not about broadcasting. It’s about target-casting to a new audience of local news viewers. Scare us with a few creative ideas and you just might get this job.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or Broadcast Journalism or equivalent related experience.
• 5-7 years’ experience in Newsroom management and television production desired.
• Excellent leadership and motivation skills required.
• Strong organizational and communications skills (verbal and written) required.
• Ability to manage a large staff effectively in a deadline oriented environment while interacting in a positive, proactive, and productive manner.

To apply, please go to www.tribune.com, under Job Seekers, referencing Job ID #2013-23728, and fill out the on-line application.

WPIX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

News Director, WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH:

WXIX-TV, FOX19 in Cincinnati seeks an experienced News Director with a track record of effective team building, aggressive news coverage including demonstrable skills online and strong leadership skills.

• Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
• Previous experience in metered market environments
• Creative approaches to building an innovative news brand
• Mobile and online strategies
• Effective use of social media in a broadcast environment
• Previous experience managing financial, technical and people resources

The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long range planning, special news coverage and station projects. The News Director leads the station’s Content Department-the largest single department in the station– and is expected to work closely with other Department Heads. Candidates should have at least three years previous News Director experience and at five years previous experience in newsroom leadership roles. WXIX is part of Raycom Media.

Send resume and a letter of introduction via email to: blanesey@fox19.com

or via mail to:

Bill Lanesey
General Manager
WXIX-TV
635 West Seventh St.
Cincinnati OH 45203

No phone calls. EOE.

Executive Producer, WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL:

WBRC seeks an Executive Producer to oversee evening and late newscasts. The successful candidate must have at least five years of experience as a producer, including at least two years of experience as an EP. This is not an entry-level leadership position. Candidate must have verifiable craft and leadership skills.

We need someone who can elevate our product from good to outstanding on a nightly basis. The EP will evaluate and critique employees and use research to build new strategies. The EP will also help to lead our digital efforts at night. Knowledge of ENPS and server-based workflow is a plus. Successful candidate must have a valid driver license and must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, extra hours, etc. Good work references are required.

Send cover letter and resume via email to: hr@wbrc.com

or via mail to:

Human Resources
WBRC-TV
1720 Valley View Dr.
Birmingham AL 35209

EOE-M/F/D/V

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (new listing this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (relisted 11/17/12)
WNCT-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (listed 11/17/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/12)
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/23/12)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/22/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 12/1/12)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (AM/EP, listed 12/15/12)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/23/12)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Dayside EP, listed 12/30/12)
WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/7/12)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, listing revised 12/7/12)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, relisted this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (PM EP, listed 1/6/12, see ad above!)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, relisted this week)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (2 openings, listed 11/3/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted 12/1/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 11/23/12)
KOLO-TV, Reno, NV (Morning EP, relisted 12/15/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 12/1/12)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/28/12)

Obituary and Memorial Information:

One time Corpus Christi News Director and Anchor WALTER FURLEY died Wednesday, January 9th at the age of 84. He suffered from non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Walter spent 45 years working at KZTV, and earlier had worked in radio in New York City. KIII-TV in Corpus Christi aired this tribute.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 21, at Mt. Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, VA for WALKER MERRYMAN.  We told you last week that Walter died suddenly at his winter home in Puerto Rico. He’s a former radio news director who served many years as a representative of Tobacco Institute and was a big supporter of RTDNA.

Situations Wanted:

There are no takers this week on our free Situations Wanted listing which is designed to help news managers looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max.100 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:

Maushard

Hearst Broadcasting has promoted BARB MAUSHARD to replace BRIAN BRACCO to oversee the news operations of its stations. Barb will continue to work closely with VP/News, CANDY ALTMAN.  Barb first joined the corporate staff in 2008.  She previously had been ND of the company’s stations in Orlando, Milwaukee, and Ft. Smith, AR.  She’s also worked in Kansas City, Baltimore, Columbus, OH, and Peoria, IL. We told you in late November that Brian was leaving Hearst to be GM for Scripps’ KSHB-TV in Kansas City.

A reorganization at Bright House Networks has left two veteran newspeople out of a job. The postions of ROBIN SMYTHE, who was VP and GM of Central Florida News 13 and ROD GRAMER, who had the same job at Bay News 9, were eliminated.

Former WTNH-TV (Hartford, CT) ND BILLY OTWELL has been named General Manager of the Persian News Network at the Voice of America. The station broadcasts to Iran. Billy’s also worked in TV in Atlanta and St. Louis, and has worked as a consultant. More on his background here.

KHOU-TV in Houston has hired MIKE O’NEILL as its new Executive Producer. Mike’s been the 4:00 producer at cross-town ABC o-and-o KTRK-TV for the last 12 years. He earlier produced weekend mornings at KTRK and also worked in Austin.

KRISTI CHEEK is joining WKMG-TV in Orlando as an EP. She’s been the Senior Producer for KLRT-TV in Little Rock, and has also worked in Dallas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Waco, and Wichita Falls, TX.

DANA BROWN RITTER returns to WAVY-TV in Norfolk as an EP. Earlier in her career Dana produced for WAVY. She’s been working at the CBN Washington bureau and earlier worked at the Hearst Bureau in DC. She’s been an EP in Pittsburgh and also worked in Roanoke.

GM notes: ALLYSON MEYERS has been promoted to GM of FOX’s WOFL-TV in Orlando. She’s been the GSM for the company’s Philadelphia’s station, WFXT-TV.  And CHUCK SPOHN has left KLRT/KASN-TV in Little Rock, shortly after Sinclair bought the stations.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, January 6, 2013.

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

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017 (see ad above!)
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 (address corrected) *
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60601
KTVU-TV 2 Jack London Square Oakland CA 94607
WGCL-TV 425 14th St. NW Atlanta GA 30318
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AX 85013
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46204 (see ad above!)
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville TN 37228
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City MO 64112 (see ad above!)
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit St. Kansas City MO 64108
WXIX-TV 635 W. Seventh St. Cincinnati OH 45203 (see ad above!)
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510
WPTY/WLMT 2701 Union Ave. Ext. Memphis TN 38112
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
WDTN-TV 4595 S. Dixie Highway Dayton OH 45439
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
WGME-TV 81 Northport Dr. Portland ME 04103
WCSH-TV One Congress Square Portland ME 04101
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs CO 80905
WTVM-TV 1900 Wynnton Road Columbus GA 31906
KRIS/KZTV 301 Artesian St. Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WREX-TV 10322 W. Auburn Rd. Rockford IL 61105
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse St. Jackson TN 38301

* Spanish language station