Rick Gevers & Associates

April 8, 2012

Greetings:

For the second consecutive week, we have  TWO  new news director openings,  THREE  newly named NDs, and a lot of items in our Names in the News section. Both of the new ND openings are created because the incumbents are taking news management positions in larger markets.

Those changes lower our count of open ND positions to 29.

TWO of those open ND jobs are featured in paid help wanted ads below, along with an ad for a morning EP position in Indianapolis.

We also welcome a new advertiser this week, DSI RF, which is introducing NewsShark, live ENG Video via 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi. They also provide other services…be sure to check out their ad below and their booth at NAB. Beat the Traffic also returns as an advertiser…they’ll also be at NAB, and CGS Automation and Devlin Design Group are advertising this week as well. We appreciate their support.

In Names in the News, some very prestigious awards were announced this week, a long ago San Diego ND returns to a newsroom…at least for a while, and we have several other items about news managers on the move.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

Geller

WCBI-TV, Columbus, MS…RUSS GELLER is leaving to become an EP for WHBQ-TV in Memphis. It’s a return to Memphis (and WHBQ) for Russ who produced there from 1983-90. He’s also worked in Macon, GA, and for two stations in Chattanooga. Russ also worked in Louisville as a consultant and talent coach. Russ spent more than five years as ND for this CBS affiliate which is owned by Morris Multimedia.

KAAL-TV, Austin, MN…MIKE SCHRAM is also leaving to take a management job in a larger market. Mike’s joining WISH-TV in Indianapolis as the morning executive producer. He’s been the ND for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate for almost five years. He previously worked for WLNS-TV in Lansing and WJRT-TV in Flint.

Newly Named News Directors:

KITV, Honolulu, HI…CHUCK PARKER has been promoted to ND for this Hearst-owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the interim ND since GENIE GARNER left the station in February after 3+ years as ND. Chuck joined the station in 2010 as Managing Editor. He’s a former ND at KHNL-TV in Honolulu, worked at two other Honolulu stations, and also was the deputy city editor for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Osgood

KTAB/KRBC-TV, Abilene, TX…according to his LinkedIn page, KEVIN OSGOOD is now the ND for this Nextstar owned NBC/CBS duopoly. Kevin’s a former ND at WHNT-TV in Huntsville, and has also worked in Richmond and Tampa. He’s been out of the newsroom since 2005 working for several different companies, mostly in the set design field. He replaces AUSTIN KELLERMAN who left the station in February to become ND for sister-Nexstar station KARK-TV in Little Rock.

Benner

WCAV/WVAW-TV, Charlottesville, VA…GRIFF BENNER has been promoted to news director for this Gray Television owned CBS/ABC duopoly. Griff’s worked there since 2005 when he joined the staff as assistant news director. He’s also worked in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Columbia, SC, and Harrisburg, PA. At WCAV, he replaces JIM HANCHETT who left the station in January after three years as ND for a job as Director of Marketing and Communications at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KMTV, Omaha, NE:

KMTV, Journal’s CBS affiliate in Omaha, seeks innovative, positive leader to manage its up-and-coming News operation.

Bolstered by Journal-Omaha’s 5 top-rated radio stations and rapidly expanding digital initiatives, the successful candidate will have a unique set of distribution platforms to help re-energize KMTV’s news product. In addition to a proven ability to improve performance, the candidate must have a thorough knowledge of the broadcast business, high journalistic standards, and excellent communication, motivational, and organizational skills.

As a key member of Journal-Omaha’s senior management team, the News Director will work closely with TV and Radio’s Marketing, Sales, and Production colleagues to engage Viewers, foster strong ties to the community, and to develop and implement multi-platform initiatives to enhance KMTV’s News product.

This is not a position for a first-time News Director or the faint of heart — but if you are eager to join a terrific company and test your leadership talents in one of our nation’s most livable cities, this is the right opportunity for you.

Please send cover letter, salary requirements, and resume to:

Christopher Sehring
Vice President and Market Manager
10714 Mockingbird Drive
Omaha NE 68127

or via email csehring@jrn.com

Journal Broadcast Group is an equal opportunity employer.

News Director, WVNS-TV, Bluefield/Beckley, WV:

WVNS-TV, the CBS and FOX affiliate in the Bluefield-Beckley West Virginia market is looking for a News Director. This is a great opportunity for that producer or executive producer looking to take that next step into management.

Our stations have a three year track record of ratings growth and we are looking for that person with the desire to keep that trend going. Our station is very unique as we are part of a state wide network of 8 network affiliates that reaches all of West Virginia. You will have access to numerous resources not available to your competition.

The candidate should have a minimum of 4 years experience as a producer/executive producer.

Send your resume in confidence to:

Chris Leister
General Manager
WVNS-TV
141 Old Cline Road
Ghent WV 25843

or via email to: cleister@wvnstv.com

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

Morning Executive Producer, WRTV, Indianapolis, IN:

Are you ready to lead news coverage in the most interesting, exciting and relevant time of day? Then RTV-6 wants to talk to you.

We are seeking an executive producer of morning news who can help us grow. You’ll be backed by the resources of the E.W. Scripps Co. and by the commitment of a strong local management team. Our tools include a helicopter, microwave and satellite trucks, new traffic system and more. You’ll work in the city that just hosted Super Bowl 46 and has been described as “possibly the most competitive market east of the Mississippi.”

We want to win on all three screens and we already have a leg up with www.theindychannel.com, the most popular broadcast news site in Indianapolis. You can help us win if you have strong producing and writing skills, excellent news judgment, competitive drive and true newsroom leadership. At least five years of TV newsroom experience, including at least one year as an executive producer, senior producer or producer in charge of a particular shift. Bachelor’s or equivalent TV experience.

Send a DVD (or a link, via e-mail) to:

Kevin Finch
News Director
WRTV
1330 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Via email to: Kevin.finch@wrtv.com

or apply on line by clicking here.

E/O/E M/F/V/D

All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of the application process, which includes a pre-employment drug test and background check.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (listed 2/10/12)
WITI-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/17/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/3/12)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 2/10/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 3/24/12)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 2/10/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, listed 1/20/12)
KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth. TX (dayside EP, listed 2/10/12)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listing revised 1/20/12)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, listed 3/24/12)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (PM EP, new listing this week)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 2/10/12)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 3/24/12)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (Dayside EP, listed 1/27/12)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, new listing this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (PM EP, listing modified 3/17/12)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, relisted 2/17/12)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed revised 3/10/12)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 3/10/12)
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/10/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (listed 2/17/12)
KHBS/KHOG-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (Digital Media Mgr., listed 2/17/12)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (relisted 3/24/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 3/24/12)

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

Names in the News:

Some of the most prestigious awards in our industry were announced this week.

KTRK-TV in Houston, the ABC o-and-o there, was honored with the IRE Medal, the highest honor from Investigative Reporters and Editors. KQED-TV in San Francisco won the other Medal awarded, a rare year in which broadcasters won the only medals. WVUE-TV in New Orleans, ABC News, and CNN also received awards. You can see the complete list of winners by clicking here. The awards will be presented at the group’s annual conference in Boston this June. If you’ve not been, it’s well worth your time and I encourage you to attend.

Congratulations to four commercial TV stations who won Peabody awards this week. Honors went to KING-TV (Belo/NBC) in Seattle, KPHO-TV (Meredith/CBS) in Phoenix, WEWS-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Cleveland, and KLAS-TV (Landmark/CBS) in Las Vegas. ABC News and CBS News were also honored, as were CNN and PBS. You can read the Peabody Awards news release here, and see the complete list of winners here.

Kass

Former News Director IRV KASS is back in a newsroom, at least temporarily. He’s been named the interim ND for XETV in San Diego, where he’s lived for 22 years. For some of that time, of course, Irv was ND for KNSD-TV. Since leaving KNSD, Irv’s been working with a range of not for profits, over the last few years, helping out with strategic planning and leadership/board relations. Irv tells me he is not a candidate to be the next ND for XETV.

Two management moves at KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. LEESA DILLON, a former ND in Cleveland and for News 12 the Bronx has been promoted to Assistant News Director here. She had been the Nightside EP. ROB TOMKINS has been promoted to fill her role as the Nightside EP.

Cates

WSPA/WYCW-TV (CBS/CW in Spartansburg/Greenville/Asheville) has promoted News Director DAN CATES to become Director of Digital Content. He’ll oversee all news and non-paid programming content for WSPA and WYCW and all related digital content platforms. He’ll also manage marketing for those areas. Dan’s been ND here since 2009, spent the ten years before that as ND for sister-Media General station WKRG-TV in Mobile, and has also worked in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.

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

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, April 7, 2012.

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

KNBC-TV        3000 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank CA 91523
KXTV               400 Broadway Sacramento CA 95818
XETV               8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WPTV            1100 Banyan Blvd. W. Palm Beach FL 33401
KSNV-TV       1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
KOKH-TV   1228 E. Wilshires Oklahoma City OK 72111
KFSN-TV       1777 G Street Fresno CA 93706
WBIR-TV      1513 Hutchison AVe. Knoxville TN 37917
WTVQ-TV     6940 Man O’War Blvd. Lexington KY 40509
KSNW-TV      833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KMTV  10714 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha NE 68127 (see ad above!)
WACH-TV     1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KGAN-TV     600-2 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402
KWQC-TV     805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WTAJ-TV   5000 Sixth Ave. Altoona PA 16602
WBTW-TV    101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach SC 29588
KHGI-TV      13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
WTXL-TV     1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway, FL 32343
WCBI-TV 201 5th St. South Columbus MS 39701
KVII-TV One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KAAL-TV 1701 10th Place, NE Austin MN 55912
WVNS-TV  141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843 (see ad above!)
WTVY-TV    PO Box 1089 Dothan AL 36302
KKCO-TV     2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV    2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV      PO Box 189 Alexandria MN 56308
WYIN-TV     8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

March 31, 2012

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 UPDATE:

Congratulations to four commercial TV stations who were honored with Peabody Awards today.

They are:  KING-TV (Belo/NBC) in Seattle, KPHO-TV (Meredith/CBS)  in Phoenix, WEWS-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Cleveland, and KLAS-TV (Landmark/CBS) in Las Vegas.

ABC News and CBS News were also honored, as were CNN and PBS.

The Peabody Awards news release is here.

And the complete list of winners is here.

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

Greetings:

TWO new news director openings, THREE newly named ND, and a lot of items in our Names in the News section this week.

Those changes bring our count of open ND positions to 30.

We have paid ads for TWO of those open ND positions, as well as a new ad for a Morning EP opening in Indianapolis.

And…as I mentioned…lots of items in Names in the News, including a new job for a long time Minneapolis ND, a wedding for an Indianapolis ND, a handful of moves of news managers, and how a former RTDNA chair is on the mend after an indoor skiing accident.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

KOKH-TV, Oklahoma City, OK…JOE SPADEA has left this FOX affiliate where’s he’d been news director since 2007. Joe had previously been the Managing Editor for KPNX-TV in Phoenix and worked as an assignment editor for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. KOKH is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting.

WVNS-TV, Bluefield/Beckley, WV…CHRISTY BUCKLAND is leaving the business and this CBS/FOX operation owned by West Virginia Media. Christy started the news operation here in 2003, and previously worked for WVVA-TV and as an anchor/reporter for WOAY-TV in the market. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.

Newly Named News Directors:

DePury

WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA…JIM DePURY returns to the ND chair as he takes over the newsroom for this Nexstar-owned NBC affiliate. Jim’s been working for WGAL-TV in Lancaster/Harrisburg, but he spent 14 years as the startup ND for WPMT-TV in Harrisburg, leaving in 2008. Jim’s also been an ND in Jacksonville, FL, and Charleston, SC, and has worked in Miami and St. Louis. At WBRE, he replaces JEREMY SETTLE who left the station for a job in Washington last January after just over two years as ND.

Sabo

KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL…veteran CNN producer TRACY SABO has been hired as ND for this Schurz Communications owned NBC affiliate. Tracy’s been with CNN for 19 years, most recently based in Dallas. She’s also been the National Assignment Editor and anchored for CNN Radio. She replaces STEVE MacDONALD who stepped down as ND last September to concentrate on his on-air duties there. Meanwhile, be sure to check out our Names in the News section to learn more about a new job for TOM LINDNER, who’s been the interim news director for KTUU.

Griffin

KXII-TV, Sherman, TX…MATT GRIFFIN has been promoted to news director for this Gray TV owned CBS/FOX operation. He’s been at the station for more than five years, most recently as Assignment Manager and Web Content Supervisor. Matt’s a native of the area, and replaces ANTHONY MAISEL who left the station earlier this month to become the GM for cross-market rival KTEN-TV.

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

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WVNS-TV, Bluefield/Beckley, WV:

WVNS-TV, the CBS and FOX affiliate in the Bluefield-Beckley West Virginia market is looking for a News Director. This is a great opportunity for that producer or executive producer looking to take that next step into management.

Our stations have a three year track record of ratings growth and we are looking for that person with the desire to keep that trend going. Our station is very unique as we are part of a state wide network of 8 network affiliates that reaches all of West Virginia. You will have access to numerous resources not available to your competition.

The candidate should have a minimum of 4 years experience as a producer/executive producer.

Send your resume in confidence to:

Chris Leister
General Manager
WVNS-TV
141 Old Cline Road
Ghent WV 25843

or via email to: cleister@wvnstv.com

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

Morning Executive Producer, WRTV, Indianapolis, IN:

Are you ready to lead news coverage in the most interesting, exciting and relevant time of day? Then RTV-6 wants to talk to you.

We are seeking an executive producer of morning news who can help us grow. You’ll be backed by the resources of the E.W. Scripps Co. and by the commitment of a strong local management team. Our tools include a helicopter, microwave and satellite trucks, new traffic system and more. You’ll work in the city that just hosted Super Bowl 46 and has been described as “possibly the most competitive market east of the Mississippi.”

We want to win on all three screens and we already have a leg up with www.theindychannel.com, the most popular broadcast news site in Indianapolis. You can help us win if you have strong producing and writing skills, excellent news judgment, competitive drive and true newsroom leadership. At least five years of TV newsroom experience, including at least one year as an executive producer, senior producer or producer in charge of a particular shift. Bachelor’s or equivalent TV experience.

Send a DVD (or a link, via e-mail) to:

Kevin Finch
News Director
WRTV
1330 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Via email to: Kevin.finch@wrtv.com

or apply on line by clicking here.

E/O/E M/F/V/D

All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of the application process, which includes a pre-employment drug test and background check.

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

News Director, WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA:

WTAJ Your News Leader, a Nexstar Broadcasting station, is seeking an experienced television News Director to keep us winning and growing. Candidate must have sound news judgment, strong leadership, and exemplary people skills. This aggressive station wants a leader with the ability to motivate the team and have an unwavering commitment to community, and vision. The ideal candidate is able to identify, develop, motivate and inspire staff and must have a passion for being the leader in developing and executing content for on-air, online and other digital platforms.

The position requires a minimum of 3 years of news management experience and a deep understanding of news in the digital world.

Send cover letter, resume and list of references to apply@wtajtv.com or:

WTAJ-TV
c/o VP/GM
5000 6th Avenue
Altoona PA 16602

WTAJ-TV is an equal opportunity employer.

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

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (listed 2/10/12)
WITI-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/17/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/3/12)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 2/10/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 3/24/12)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 2/10/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, listed 1/20/12)
KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth. TX (dayside EP, listed 2/10/12)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listing revised 1/20/12)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, listed 3/24/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 2/10/12)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 3/24/12)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (Dayside EP, listed 1/27/12)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, new listing this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (PM EP, listing modified 3/17/12)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, relisted 2/17/12)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed revised 3/10/12)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 3/10/12)
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/10/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (listed 2/17/12)
KHBS/KHOG-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (Digital Media Mgr., listed 2/17/12)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (relisted 3/24/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 3/24/12)
**** ***** *****

Names in the News:

Jensen

Longtime KARE-TV (Minneapolis/St. Paul) news director TOM LINDNER has been named Manager of Special Projects for Schurz Communications. He’ll be based in St. Paul. Tom spent 19 years at KARE, 15 as ND, before leaving the station last April. He’s spent the last six month as interim ND for Schurz’s KTUU-TV in Anchorage, AK, an assignment that will end soon now that the station has hired a new ND (as reported above).

Two News Directors are among eleven electronic journalists to be selected to participate in the RTDNF German Fellowship program, now in its 19th year. BILL PAYER of WIAT-TV in Birmingham and past RTDNA Chair STACEY WOELFEL from KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO, will take part. The entire list…and more information about the program…can be found here.

Jensen

SCOTT JENSEN is returning to KING-TV in Seattle as Chief Photographer after being away for about 18 months. Scott worked at KING before moving to KTVA-TV in Anchorage as Executive Producer. That was Scott’s second tour of duty in his hometown: he’d previously worked for KTUU-TV in Anchorage. Scott’s also worked as a photographer in Minnesota and Oregon.

Myrie

DONOVAN MYRIE joins WFTS-TV in Tampa as Executive Producer for Political Coverage for that Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate. He’ll concentrate on the 2012 Republican National Convention to be held in Tampa. Donovan spent the last nine years teaching communications at the University of Tampa. He previously was the ND for New Urban Entertainment TV in Washington, and worked in Dallas and New York City. He also just finished his first book, The 9/11 Project: A Journalist’s Perspective.

Shustrin

KTVI-TV, the FOX affiliate in St. Louis, has promoted JARRETT SHUSTRIN to be its new morning Executive Producer. He’s a 14 year veteran of the station who previously produced the Fox 2 News at 9:00 AM news, worked as the supervising sports producer, and has also worked as a director there. Jarrett has also worked for KMOV-TV in St. Louis and for KMOX radio there.

Congratulations to LEE ROSENTHAL, news director for WXIN-TV in Indianapolis on his wedding earlier this month in Marco Island, FL.  And in true TV spirit, Lee and his new wife Joanna, a former TV reporter, will take their honeymoon after the May rating period.

Priddy

Best wishes to past RTDNA Chairman BOB PRIDDY, news director of the Missourinet radio network, who’s on the mend from what he describes as an attempt to ski down the steps of his Jefferson City, MO, home. Bob’s failed attempt to create a new Olympic sport left him with a plate and ten screws in his left ankle. He missed a day of work for the surgery and another day when the cast came off, but pointed out that others face bigger challenges. You can congratulate Bob on his positive attitude and wish him well via an email to: bpriddy@missourinet.com
**** ***** ****

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, March 31, 2012.

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

KNBC-TV        3000 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank CA 91523
KXTV               400 Broadway Sacramento CA 95818
XETV               8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WPTV            1100 Banyan Blvd. W. Palm Beach FL 33401
KSNV-TV       1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
KOKH-TV   1228 E. Wilshires Oklahoma City OK 72111
KFSN-TV       1777 G Street Fresno CA 93706
WBIR-TV      1513 Hutchison AVe. Knoxville TN 37917
WTVQ-TV     6940 Man O’War Blvd. Lexington KY 40509
KSNW-TV      833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KITV                801 South King St. Honolulu HI 96813
KMTV             10714 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha NE 68127
WACH-TV     1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KGAN-TV     600-2 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402
KWQC-TV     805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WTAJ-TV   5000 Sixth Ave. Altoona PA 16602 (see ad above!)
WBTW-TV    101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach SC 29588
KHGI-TV      13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
WTXL-TV     1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway, FL 32343
KVII-TV        One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV     1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KTAB/KRBC-TV, 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX
WVNS-TV  141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843 (see ad above!)
WTVY-TV    PO Box 1089 Dothan AL 36302
WCAV-TV    999 2nd St. SE Charlottesville VA 22902
KKCO-TV     2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV    2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV      PO Box 189 Alexandria MN 56308
WYIN-TV     8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

March 24, 2012

Greetings:

Just ONE new ND opening in this week’s report, and to the best of my knowledge, there are NO newly named NDs. (If you know otherwise, please email me!)

That brings out count of open ND positions to 31.

But read on…we have lots of other news for you, including a paid help wanted ad for that one new opening. We’ve also freshened our list of Other News Management Openings.

And we have lots of news in our Names in the News column, including new responsibilities for three longtime news directors.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA…after three years as ND for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate, DAVID KAPLAR is returning to where his career began. He’s joining WEWS-TV in Cleveland as Assistant news director. Dave interned at WEWS, worked there, and later became an ND in Portland, ME. He also worked in Denver, Dallas, and Boston.

Newly Named News Directors:

None that I know of. If you know something, please email me!

Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA:

WTAJ Your News Leader, a Nexstar Broadcasting station, is seeking an experienced television News Director to keep us winning and growing. Candidate must have sound news judgment, strong leadership, and exemplary people skills. This aggressive station wants a leader with the ability to motivate the team and have an unwavering commitment to community, and vision. The ideal candidate is able to identify, develop, motivate and inspire staff and must have a passion for being the leader in developing and executing content for on-air, online and other digital platforms.

The position requires a minimum of 3 years of news management experience and a deep understanding of news in the digital world.

Send cover letter, resume and list of references to apply@wtajtv.com or:

WTAJ-TV
c/o VP/GM
5000 6th Avenue
Altoona PA 16602

WTAJ-TV is an equal opportunity employer.

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

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (listed 2/10/12)
WITI-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/17/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/3/12)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 2/10/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (new listing this week)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 2/10/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, listed 1/20/12)
KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth. TX (dayside EP, listed 2/10/12)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listing revised 1/20/12)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (AM EP, new listing this week)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 2/10/12)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (new listing this week)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (Dayside EP, listed 1/27/12)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, new listing this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (PM EP, listing modified 3/17/12)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, relisted 2/17/12)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed revised 3/10/12)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 3/10/12)
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/10/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (listed 2/17/12)
KHBS/KHOG-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (Digital Media Mgr., listed 2/17/12)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted this week)
**** ***** *****

Names in the News:

Speight

KERWIN SPEIGHT moves to WRAL-TV in Raleigh as an executive producer. For the last two years, Kerwin has been an EP for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. He’s also worked for WBAL-TV in Baltimore (twice), KCRA-TV in Sacramento, and KHOU-TV in Houston. He’s a graduate of American University.

WSMV-TV in Nashville also has a new executive producer. JASON GIL BEAR joins that Meredith-owned NBC affiliate from KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, NM, where he’s been the morning EP. He’s also been a producer at associate producer for KRQE-TV.

JASON GOODWIN is the new Assistant News Director for KTXS/KTAB-TV in Abilene, TX. He most recently was an EP for KOKI-TV in Tulsa, has worked as a senior producer for WPIX-TV in New York, and also worked in Tampa and Oklahoma City. Warning: blatant self-promotion ahead: KTXS ND GEORGE LEVESQUE tells me Jason learned about the job from an ad in this newsletter.

Hair

PRINCELL HAIR has been promoted to Senior Vice President of News and Talent for the NBC Sports Group. Princell, a former ND in Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles, has been the Senior VP for News Operations for the Comcast Sports Group. He also served as Senior VO for CNN Worldwide, GM of CNN, VP/News for the CBS o-and-o, and worked in Orlando, Miami, and Detroit.

Wasserman

One time ND STEVE WASSERMAN is one of three Scripps GMs to take on additional responsibilities as a divisional general manager. Steve will continue as GM for WPTV in West Palm Beach, but will also provide guidance to three other Scripps’ general managers. ED FERNANDEZ, GM at WXYZ-TV in Detroit and SAM ROSSENWASSER, from WEWS-TV in Cleveland were also promoted. Steve is a former ND for WCBS-TV in New York, WPLG-TV in Miami, and WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, FL, and has been a GM in Detroit, Houston, and Jacksonville.

Hitter

Longtime Green Bay News Director LEE HITTER has joined the Wiscsonin Evangeglical Lutheran Synod in Milwaukee as Director of Communication Services. Lee spent more than 29 years at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, 17 years as ND there. He left the station last year, shortly after Nexstar bought that CBS affiliate. Lee began his career as a reporter and photographer.

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

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, March 24, 2012.

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

KNBC-TV        3000 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank CA 91523
KXTV               400 Broadway Sacramento CA 95818
XETV               8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WPTV            1100 Banyan Blvd. W. Palm Beach FL 33401
KSNV-TV       1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WBRE-TV      62 S. Franklin Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
KFSN-TV       1777 G Street Fresno CA 93706
WBIR-TV    1513 Hutchison AVe. Knoxville TN 37917
WTVQ-TV   6940 Man O’War Blvd. Lexington KY 40509
KSNW-TV      833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KITV                801 South King St. Honolulu HI 96813
KMTV             10714 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha NE 68127
WACH-TV     1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KGAN-TV    600-2 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402
KWQC-TV     805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WTAJ-TV  5000 Sixth Ave. Altoona PA 16602
WBTW-TV    3420 N. TV Road Florence, SC 29501
KHGI-TV      13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
WTXL-TV     1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway, FL 32343
KVII-TV        One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV     1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KTUU-TV     701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503
KXII-TV    4201 Texoma Parkway Sherman TX 75090
KTAB/KRBC-TV, 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX
WTVY-TV    PO Box 1089 Dothan AL 36302
WCAV-TV    999 2nd St. SE Charlottesville VA 22902
KKCO-TV     2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV    2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV      PO Box 189 Alexandria MN 56308
WYIN-TV     8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

March 17, 2012

Greetings:

A flurry of activity late Friday afternoon delayed our weekly report, but there’s a lot more to tell you about! We have THREE new news director openings and THREE new news directors named this week.

Those changes bring our list of open ND jobs to 30.

We can also update one item from last week’s report, in which we told you about a posting for an ND job at KSNV-TV in Las Vegas. We now know that longtime Las Vegas newsman BOB STOLDAL remains with the company and will be concentrating on his corporate responsibilities.

Also this week, ads for an ND opening in Florida and a producer search in Ohio. And we have lots of items in Names in the News, including the retirement of a longtime Illinois newsman, some comings and goings in Cleveland, and we’ll tell you how YOU…yes, YOU, (or at least your station) can be featured in a new TV series.

We also have the obituary for the father of a longtime Michigan news director.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

New News Director Openings:

Shory

WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN…BILL SHORY has left this Gannett owned NBC affiliate after more than eight years as news director. He previously had been an EP of Special Projects for WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, a news director at WHNT-TV in Huntsville, AL, and an EP in Birmingham, AL.

WTVQ-TV, Lexington, KY…DOUG HOGAN is leaving this Morris owned ABC affiliate to become Director of Communications for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. He’s been ND here since 2008, had worked in state government before that, and previously had been an EP for WLWT-TV in Cincinnati.

Maisel

KXII-TV, Sherman, TX…longtime broadcaster ANTHONY MAISEL is moving across the market to become General Manager for KTEN-TV in Denison, TX. KTEN carries programming from NBC, ABC, and the CW networks. He’s been ND here since 2010, and earlier spent more than nine years as the ND for KDAF-TV in Dallas. Anthony’s also been an ND in Houston (Telemundo), Jacksonville, FL, and El Paso, TX, and has worked in Colorado Springs, Wichita, and Denver

Newly Named News Directors:

Figueroa

WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL…MIGDALIA FIGUEROA has been named ND for this NBC o-and-o. She’s currently Senior Vice President of Local Content for NBC’s Telemundo Station Group., a job she’s held since 2010. Previously she was ND for WSCV-TV, the Telemundo station in Miami. She’s also worked in New York and for the Univision station in Miami. At WTVJ, she replaces LANE MICHAELSEN who left the station last month and was named ND for WCPO-TV in Cincinnati earlier this week (see below). Lane was ND at WTVJ for about 2 1/2 years.

Michaelsen

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH…as referenced above, LANE MICHAELSEN is the new ND for this Scripps-owned ABC affiliate. Lane most recently was ND for WTVJ-TV in Miami, and has also been an ND in Washington, DC, Tampa, and Little Rock. He’s also served as VP/News for Ganettt, and worked at Poynter. He also spent eight years as Director of Photography at KARE-TV in Minneapolis. The move reunites Lane with WCPO GM STEVE THAXTON: they worked together at Gannett. At WCPO, Lane replaces longtime ND BOB MORFORD who announced his retirement from the station in January. Bob turns 55 in April and qualified for retirement with Scripps. He plans to take some time off and then explore his next opportunity.

Costello

WREX-TV, Rockford, IL…Assistant News Director MIKE COSTELLO has been promoted to news director for this Quincy owned NBC affiliate. Mike’s been the assistant ND here for the past three months, but served as the station’s internet director for almost four years before that. Mike began his career as a producer at WREX, later moved to Indianapolis as a producer and EP at WXIN-TV, and then worked at WISN-TV in Milwaukee as a producer before returning to Rockford. He replaces PETER SPECIALE who has left the station after seven months as ND.

Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WPTV/WFLX-TV, West Palm Beach, FL:

Our current News Director has just been promoted into a Scripps corporate position. That opens up an extraordinary opportunity for the right person to lead the newsroom of Florida’s highest rated station.

We are part of the cutting edge Scripps organization and produce news on a number of platforms for both WPTV, the #1 station in the West Palm Beach market, as well as for the local Fox affiliate, WFLX. We are seeking a leader, not just a manager.

If this speaks to you, apply at: Scripps.com   Job Number: 4618

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

Producer, WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH:

WTVG-TV 13abc in Toledo seeks a news producer to join our #1 news team. We are looking for a leader who writes exceptional stories and demonstrates creative thinking. You must be able to communicate quickly and efficiently. Two years of newscast previous news producing are preferred.

If you are looking for a great place to learn and advance professionally, send your resume, writing and newscast samples to:

Brian Trauring
Executive News Director
WTVG-TV 13abc
4247 Dorr Street
Toledo OH 43607

or via email to: wtvg.hr@13abc.com

EOE.

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

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (listed 2/10/12)
WITI-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/17/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/3/12)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 2/10/12)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 2/10/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, listed 1/20/12)
KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth. TX (dayside EP, listed 2/10/12)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listing revised 1/20/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 2/10/12)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (Dayside EP, listed 1/27/12)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, new listing this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (PM EP, listing modified this week)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, relisted 2/17/12)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed revised 3/10/12)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 3/10/12)
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 1/27/12)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/10/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (listed 2/17/12)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (relisted this week)
KHBS/KHOG-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (Digital Media Mgr., listed 2/17/12)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/17/12)

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

Obituary:

Our sympathy to WXYZ-TV (Detroit) news director TIM DYE on the death of his father, JAMES DYE, who died last Monday at the age of 84.  He had been in failing health. Mr. Dye and his late wife had operated a travel agency in Saginaw, MI, for many years. In addition to Tim, he is survived by two other sons and one daughter.  Tim has been ND at WXYZ since July, 2010, and spent 12 years as ND for WXMI-TV in Grand Rapids, MI. Tim and I worked together at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids when I was the ND there, and he also worked in Saginaw. Your kind note would reach him at: tdye@wxyz.com

Names in the News:

Sachs

Congratulations to longtime WGEM-TV (Quincy, IL) newsman LES SACHS who is retiring from this Quincy owned station later this spring. Les spent 13 of his 35 years at the station as news director but primarily served as an anchor for this NBC affiliate. He also worked as an ND for KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids and WHOI-TV in Peoria, working at each station for two years. Wish Les well in his retirement via an email to: lsachs@wgem.com

ROB HEVERLING returns to Cleveland as the new Assistant News Director for Raycom’s WOIO/WUAB-TV. Rob most recently was the ND at KARK-TV in Little Rock, but earlier in his career worked at WKYC-TV in Cleveland as an EP. He later worked as an EP in Denver, and was an ND in Fayetteville, AR, and Duluth, MN.

Speaking of WKYC-TV, that station’s current Assistant News Director HOWARD FENCL is leaving that NBC affiliate (for the third time!) to become a VP at a Cleveland crisis communications firm. He’s finishing his third tour of duty at WKYC, and has also worked for WEWS-TV in Cleveland and in Columbus, OH.

JIM PROELLER joins the Weather Channel as Managing Editor of Video. He’s spent the last 23 years at CNN, most recently as Senior Director, Editorial Operations. At the Weather Channel, he’ll oversee production from the field, ensuring the best video makes it to all platforms.

Would you like to have your station featured on a TV show? The Emmy Award winning production company behind “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” “The Layover,” “Brew Masters,” and “The Wild Within” is looking for a small market television news station to follow for a documentary series. They are looking for a small, dedicated group of individuals to follow through the behind the scene struggles and triumphs of producing broadcast news. If you are interested in possibly being involved in this series, please contact Matthew Alvarez at matthew.alvarez@zeropointzero.com

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

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Friday, March 16, 2012.

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

KNBC-TV        3000 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank CA 91523
KXTV               400 Broadway Sacramento CA 95818
XETV               8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WPTV            1100 Banyan Blvd. W. Palm Beach FL 33401 (see ad above!)
KSNV-TV       1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WBRE-TV      62 S. Franklin Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
KFSN-TV       1777 G Street Fresno CA 93706
WBIR-TV    1513 Hutchison AVe. Knoxville TN 37917
WTVQ-TV   6940 Man O’War Blvd. Lexington KY 40509
KSNW-TV      833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KITV                801 South King St. Honolulu HI 96813
KMTV             10714 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha NE 68127
WACH-TV     1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KGAN-TV    600-2 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402
KWQC-TV     805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WBTW-TV    3420 N. TV Road Florence, SC 29501
KHGI-TV      13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
WTXL-TV     1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway, FL 32343
KVII-TV        One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV     1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KTUU-TV     701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503
KXII-TV    4201 Texoma Parkway Sherman TX 75090
KTAB/KRBC-TV, 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX
WTVY-TV    PO Box 1089 Dothan AL 36302
WCAV-TV    999 2nd St. SE Charlottesville VA 22902
KKCO-TV     2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV    2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV      PO Box 189 Alexandria MN 56308
WYIN-TV     8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station