September 8, 2008
Greetings:
There are TWO more open ND jobs to tell you about in this week’s edition of your weekly update on news director and news manager moves. And, to my knowledge, just ONE new ND was hired.
Those changes leave, according to my figures 36 open ND positions.
We have ads for four of those openings. One of those stations is looking to hire someone as a Station Manager/News Director to groom someone for a GM’s job. If you’re interested in that type of career move, be sure to check out that ad below. As mentioned, ads for three other ND openings, and one ad for an EP position in Phoenix.
In Names in the News, we have ‘breaking news’ of a former ND-turned-GM taking a new GM job in what….to her…is an old market. There’s a promotion in Houston, and we have details on the Centennial Celebration of the world’s FIRST journalism school.
And we have an obituary for a former news director in several large markets.
That and more after this week’s change:
NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:
WKOW-TV, Madison, WI…AL ZOBEL has left this Quincy Newspapers owned ABC affiliate after almost five years as ND here. Al’s also been an ND in Jefferson City, MO and Wilkes-Barre, PA.
KBAK/KBFX, Bakersfield, CA…MEAGHAN ST. PIERRE is leaving this Fisher Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate after more than two years ago. She’s following her husband who has accepted a new job in Michigan. There’s an ad for this opportunity below. (Please note the GM is TROY McGUIRE, who also serves as VP/News and Programming for Fisher. He added the GM responsibilities at KBAK/KBFX earlier this year. As many of you know, Troy’s a former ND in Reno and Portland, OR, and the former EP of The Daily Buzz.)
NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:
WHNS-TV, Greenville, SC…KELLY BOAN has been promoted to ND for this Meredith-owned FOX affiliate. She replaces KYANN LEWIS who left last month after three-plus years as ND to become ND for KIAH-TV in Houston. Kelly has been the Assistant ND here, and also worked in San Francisco and Atlanta.
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HELP WANTED ADS
STATION MANAGER/NEWS DIRECTOR, WQAD-TV, Moline, IL
Are you into John Deere tractors, fishing on the mighty Mississippi and eating tenderloin sandwiches?
OK…try this one.
Are you a successful News Director who wants a shot at running your own station some day?
Local TV LLC is now hiring a Station Manager/News Director who’ll help us rebuild WQAD in the Quad Cities.
The job requirements are simple:
· Create an interesting and compelling newscast that will keep the viewers awake at 10 pm.
· Develop promotional strategy for a two state market that will get the station noticed on both sides of the river.
· Drive Channel 8 into the digital age.
· Learn how to turn demos into dollars on the bottom line.
· Finally…train and develop your replacement.
This is a station with a hard working staff and a will to win. We’re not looking for a traditional News Director. We’re looking for Local TV’s next General Manager.
Get creative and e-mail your resume to: scharlier@localtvllc.com
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NEWS DIRECTOR, WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL
WWSB-TV, ABC 7 in the Sarasota, Florida, market is looking for an experienced News Director.
The qualified candidate will have News Director Experience, which should include a proven track record of excellent news judgment, the ability to build a diverse news staff, and improve product and ratings.
Collaborative leadership skills and the ability to motivate are critical.
Weather is an important element of coverage in this market, and the qualified candidate will have experience managing severe weather coverage for all platforms.
We look forward to hearing from interested candidates. Please send resume and cover letter to:
ABC 7/Personnel-News Director
1477 Tenth Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
You can also apply via fax to: 941-923-6387
or via email to: personnel@wwsb.com.
WWSB is an Equal Opportunity Employer, women and minorities are encouraged to apply. No Phone calls please.
NEWS DIRECTOR, WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL
ABC 27 HD, WTXL the local high definition station in Tallahassee, has an immediate opening for a News Director.
We’re a small market station in a state-of-the-art facility with an aggressive and exciting news staff. Must have a passion for news, great leadership and communication skills.
The successful candidate must be a hands-on leader who participates in news planning and content, hiring, budgeting, newsroom administration and a working knowledge of online News gathering.
Candidate must have a successful track record of leadership and ratings success and a proven ability to work with Sales and Marketing on special projects.
Prefer a college degree in journalism and 5 years experience in television newsroom management in a large market. Prefer News Director experience, but will consider an Assistant News Director or Executive Producer.
Send resume to:
ABC 27
Attn: Gary Wordlaw
1620 Commerce Blvd
Midway, FL, 32343
or e-mail to: gwordlaw@wtxl.tv.
WTXL TV is EOE. No phone calls please.
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NEWS DIRECTOR, KBAK/KBFX, Bakersfield, CA
Progressive station in Bakersfield, CA is looking for a News Director with a proven track record of outstanding news judgment, coaching, recruiting, and producing. Candidates should have command of what makes a good newscast both in content and presentation.
Aggressive Breaking News and Weather coverage would be baselines. KBAK has positioned themselves in the market as a strong Investigative station. Candidates should be able to sell their ability to drive lots of enterprise in daily content and include that when sending newscasts for review.
The News Director is responsible for managing a 45 person news team and implementing overall strategy that includes an evolving brand, formats, web site and morning news products. The News Director also has oversight for the Fox Prime and Morning newscasts. Demonstrating current online and on air best practices a plus.
Assistant News Directors and Executive Producers in larger markets with Producer background tracks and knowledge of contemporary journalism should also apply. Experience in news department management required, four year minimum degree in journalism preferred.
The station web site is www.bakersfieldnow.com.
Please apply to GM as indicated below. Candidates must submit a resume and DVD of a current newscast with their imprint on it, explaining how in the cover letter.
Troy McGuire
General Manager
KBAK/KBFX
1901 Westwind Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93301
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ
KPHO-TV5, the Meredith-owned CBS affiliate in Phoenix, AZ has an opening for an Executive News Producer.
Are you an experienced news manager who knows how to deliver a great newscast through people-driven leadership?
KPHO seeks an Executive Producer responsible for supervising all aspects of our news programs, including development and execution of newscast content and program format. Successful candidate will work closely with Producers, Reporters and Assignment Editors in developing and maintaining high quality newscasts by overseeing story selection, coverage, pre-production and rundowns. Also responsible for proofing and editing scripts on a daily basis.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree preferred in Journalism or Broadcasting. Training in management and newsroom computers required. High School diploma or equivalent required.
Experience:
3-5 years experience in mid-to-large markets preferred.
Specific Knowledge:
Minimum three years experience as a Producer and demonstrated track record developing and producing news programs. Proven communication skills and management leadership skills are necessary. Must have the ability to work well under deadline pressure, have excellent organizational skills and the ability to management projects.
Apply online at cbs5jobs@kpho.com or mail your resume to:
Human Resources
KPHO-TV
4016 N Black Canyon Hwy
Phoenix, AZ 85017
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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/15/08)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/8/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 6/6/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 6/13/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 6/27/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 7/10/08)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, relisted 7/10/08)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/29/08) (See ad above!)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 7/03/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 7/25/08)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (Weekend EP, relisted 7/3/08)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 6/20/08)
WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC (Nightside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/08/08)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 6/27/08)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/8/08)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (listed 6/20/08)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 7/03/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, listing revised 7/03/08)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 8/22/08)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/03/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 6/27/08)
WGGB-TV, Springfield, MA (listed 6/20/08)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPECIAL PROJECTS:
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/25/08)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, INVESTIGATIONS/SPECIAL PROJ.
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 8/8/08)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/15/08)
KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)
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OBITUARY:
Former Philadelphia News Director and General Manager PAT POLILLO died earlier this week at the age of 75. He suffered from a brain tumor. Pat was GM at KYW-TV from 1980-1984 and News Director at the former WFIL-TV. He also held news director jobs in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh. Both Philly newspapers did lengthy obituaries detailing his very diverse and interesting career. The Philadelphia Daily News version is here, while you can read The Philadelphia Inquirer’s tribute here. Pat is survived by his wife, mother, two sons and a daughter and other family members.
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NAMES and EVENTS in the NEWS:
One-time News Director HOLLY STEUART has a new job. She returns to Harrisburg as VP/GM of WHP/WLYH-TV, the Newport TV owned ABC/CW duopoly. I say ‘returns’ there since she was ND at WHTM-TV in Harrsiburg from 1988-1994. She then went to WROC-TV in Rochester, NY as a ND, before moving to the GM ranks in Bismarck, ND. Most recently, she was the GM for KVVU-TV, the Fox affiliate in Las Vegas.
Congratulations to CHRIS McDONALD, who’s been promoted to Assignments Manager at KRIV-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Houston. Chris has been the Planning Manager at KRIV and has been at the station for 13 years. Most of his career has been spent as a news photographer in Corpus Christi, Austin, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Houston.
The University of Missouri School of Journalism celebrates its Centennial next week with several days of programs and events. I’ll be there and look forward to seeing many of you. You can find more about the week’s activities at: journalism.missouri.edu/2008
And as long as I’m plugging my alma mater, let me work in a shameless plug for a book that chronicles the history of the J-School. A Journalism of Humanity was written by my old news 105 teacher, Steve Weinberg, a terrific journalist and writer who many of you know as the former head of Investigative Reporters and Editors. Read more here: http://press.umsystem.edu/spring2008/weinberg.htm
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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, September 5, 2008. If you know of any updates, corrections, or additions to this list, please let me know via email at: rick@rickgevers.com
KTLA-TV 5800 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
CLTV News 2000 York, Suite 114 Oak Brook IL 60523
WSNS-TV 430 W. Grant Place Chicago IL 60614 *
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AZ 85013
WWSB-TV 1477 10th St. Sarasota FL 34236 (see ad above)
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd, Denver CO 80203
WRTV 1330 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46202
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego CA 92102
KUTH-TV 525 South 300 West #1 Salt Lake City UT 84101 *
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
KRQE-TV 13 Broadcast Plaza Albuquerque NM 87104
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Avenue Buffalo NY 14202
KMPH-TV 5111 E. McKinley Ave. Fresno CA 93727
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
WTVR-TV 3301 W. Broad St. Richmond VA 23230
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita KS 67203
KWCH-TV 2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219
WCSH/WLBZ-TV One Congress Square Portland ME 04101
WSTM-TV 1030 James St. Syracuse NY 13203
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St. Columbia SC 29201
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Boulevard Huntsville AL 35801
WAFF-TV 1414 N. Memorial Pkwy. Huntsville AL 35801
WKOW-TV 5727 Tokay Boulevard Madison WI 53719
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WPTZ-TV 5 Television Drive Plattsburgh NY 12901
WHBF-TV 231 18th St. Rock Island IL 61201 (see ad above)
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th St. Moline IL 61265
KDBC-TV 2201 E. Wyoming Ave. El Paso TX 79903
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway FL 32343 (see ad above)
WAGT-TV 905 Broad St. Augusta GA 30901
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr. Bakersfield CA 93301 (see ad above)
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 S. Beaumont TX 77701
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert CA 92260
KTUU-TV 701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503
KIMT-TV 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Mason City IA 50401
KIDK-TV 1255 E.17th St. Idaho Falls ID 83404
# indicates Spanish language station
Rick Gevers
Rick Gevers & Associates
PO Box 577
Zionsville IN 46077
317-769-7900 (phone)
317-769-7910 (fax)
rick@rickgevers.com
www.rickgevers.com