Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

August 11, 2008

Greetings:

We have a flurry of activity to report this week, with much of it in medium and smaller markets. There is one new ND opening in a top 30 market.

That’s one of FOUR new ND openings this week, with FIVE new news directors to share with you.

My count, always unofficial, stands at 31 open ND positions around the country.

Also this week: we have an ad for an EP of Special Projects and Investigations for a Kansas City station, details about the passing of a former ND, several new news management openings, and details about promotions for some news managers.

As we like to say, all that, and more, after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

WRTV, Indianapolis, IN…JASON HEATH moves to a new role within the parent as Talent Consultant for McGraw-Hill Broadcasting. He’s been the ND at this ABC affiliate for the past three years. (Note: this opening means three of McGraw-Hill’s four stations…Denver, Indianapolis, and San Diego…currently have news director openings.)

KVEO-TV, Browsville, TX…DREW HADWAL has left this Communications Corporation owned NBC affiliate after a year as ND. Drew was the first ND here.

WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA…SCOTT BRADY is being promoted to ND for sister-Schurz station KYTV in Springfield, MO. (More on that below.) Scott’s been ND for this NBC affiliate for the past 4+ years.

KIMT-TV, Mason City, IA…JJ MURRAY is leaving after two years as ND for this New Vision owned CBS station. He’ll become ND for KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA. (More below.)

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WNJT-TV, Trenton, NJ…MICHAEL ARON is the new ND for this operation also known as the New Jersey Network. (It’s a statewide network owned by the state and produces a nightly half hour newscast which also airs on WNET-TV in New York). Michael is also a political correspondent. He replaces BILL JOBES who retired.

WTVQ-TV, Lexington, KY…DOUG HOGAN will be the next ND for this Morris Network owned ABC affiliate. Doug’s a former ND in Evansville and Montgomery, and most recently has worked in government as communications director for the Governor of Kentucky. He replaces TAI TAKAHASHI who left the station after almost four years as ND.

KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA…we told you a few paragraphs ago that JJ MURRAY is the new ND for this Quincy Newspaper owned NBC station, coming from KIMT-TV in Mason City. JJ’s also been an ND in Sioux Falls, SD, and has worked in Minneapolis, Tucson, Phoenix, Jefferson City, MO, and taught for four years at Brown College in Minneapolis. JJ will replace JON OKERSTROM who’s been named Senior Internet Director for Quincy Newspapers.

KYTV, Springfield, MO…as noted above, SCOTT BRADY stays with Schurz Broadcasting, stays with an NBC affiliate, but changes addresses as he’ll be the next ND for this powerhouse station. He replaces JEFF BENSCOTER who left in June to become the Assistant ND for WTHR-TV here in Indianapolis.

WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL…veteran news director DON SHAFER takes over as the ND for this Granite Broadcasting owned NBC station. Don’s been a news director in Colorado Springs, Denver, San Diego, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, and, most recently, in Flint/Saginaw, MI. He replaces JIM GARROTT who left the station in May after more than ten years as ND.

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HELP WANTED AD

EP of INVESTIGATIONS/SPECIAL PROJECTS

Want to be part of an exciting, growing, vibrant TV Station?

KSHB-TV, the NBC affiliate in Kansas City, market #31, is looking for an aggressive and creative Executive Producer of Investigations and Special Projects.

Prior EP experience or major market investigative producing experience is preferred. The qualified candidate will oversee the Emmy Award winning NBC Action News Investigators as well as Call for Action, the leading consumer unit in the city.

The successful candidate must be highly organized, and have strong people skills. He or she must be able to showcase using graphics and content. Your tape must speak for itself.

Interested and qualified candidates should send their resumes to:

Rick Iler
News Director
KSHB-TV
4720 Oak St.
Kansas City MO 64112

or via email to: iler@nbcactionews.com

Scripps Company/KSHB-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (new listing this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 6/6/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 6/13/08)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (listed 6/6/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 6/27/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (listed 5/9/08)
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 (listed 6/20/08)
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 this week)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 6/27/08)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (new listing this week)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (listed 6/20/08)
WSYX/WTTE, Columbus, OH (relisted 5/16/08)
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)
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)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)

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OBITUARY:

TEDD O’CONNELL died Monday, August 4, after a long battle with cancer. He was 69 years old and died at his home in Green Bay. Tedd was a news director in several markets, including Green Bay, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City, IA, and also worked for many years as the main anchor for WISC-TV in Madison, WI. Tedd is survived by his wife, Roseanne, who urged friends to make a donation in Tedd’s name to their local library.

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NAMES in the NEWS:

JOHN LANSING, who has ND stops in several markets on his resume, has been named Executive Vice President of Scripps Networks Interactive. He remains President of Scripps Networks. In addition to ND jobs in Chicago, Minneapolis and Kalamazoo, MI, John’s been a station manager in Detroit and a GM in Cleveland.

CHRIS PENA stays within the NBC family and moves from balmy Miami to wintry (it will be, soon enough!) Chicago as the new Assistant ND for WMAQ-TV. Chris has been the EP for the late news at NBC’s WTVJ-TV. He’s also been an ND for the Telemundo station in Houston. At WMAQ, he’ll oversee day-to-day coverage, replacing CAMILLE EDWARDS in that role. Camille left the station earlier this summer to become VP/News at NBC’s WRC-TV in Washington.

JEFF PARSONS has been promoted to Senior Director of Strategic Content for Internet Broadcasting. He’ll oversee development of new content and products for the websites IB builds and operates for a variety of media companies. Jeff’s a former ND in Atlanta and Norfolk, and has also worked in Columbus, OH, and Charleston, WV.

LESLIE GARCIA is the new EP for Newport TV’s WOAI-TV in San Antonio. She’s been a producer at WAGA-TV in Atlanta, and has also worked in Washington, DC, and Albuquerque. It’s a return to Texas for Leslie, who began her career in Weslaco, TX.

DON ENNIS returns to a newsroom as the Multimedia EP for Gannett’s WTLV/WJXX in Jacksonville, FL. He most recently has been working with WJLA-TV and politico.com, and previously has been a producer for The Today Show, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and GMA. He’s also worked in Hartford. This move reunites him with WTLV’s ND MIKE GARBER: they worked together at WFTS-TV in Tampa.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, August 8, 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 *
KIAH-TV   7700 Westpark Dr.               Houston TX 77063
KPHO-TV   4016 N. Black Canyon Hwy.       Phoenix AZ 85017
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
KMGH-TV   123 Speer Blvd,                 Denver CO 80203
WRTV      1330 N. Merdian St.             Indianapolis IN 46202
KGTV      4600 Air Way                    San Diego CA 92102
KUTH-TV   525 South 300 West #1           Salt Lake City UT 84101 *
WPBF-TV   3970 RCA Blvd., Suite 7007      Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
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
WOWK-TV   555 Fifth Ave.                  Huntington WV 25701
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
KVEO-TV   394 N. Expressway               Brownsville TX 78521
WQAD-TV   3003 Park 16th St.              Moline IL 61265
KDBC-TV   2201 E. Wyoming Ave.            El Paso TX 79903
WAGT-Tv   905 Broad St.                   Augusta GA 30901
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

August 4, 2008

Greetings:

It’s been a busy week for ND movement, with changes in three top 20 markets.

In all, there are THREE new ND openings to tell you about and FOUR new ND hires to report, two of them in top 20 markets.

By my count, 30 stations are looking for a new ND.

You may already know that veteran Boston ND JIM THISTLE died earlier this week at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer. We have links to the obituaries from the two Boston daily newspapers.

We also have details on new management jobs for several people, and happy news of recent weddings for two ND’s.

All that and more below, after this week’s changes:

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NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

CLTV, Chicago, IL…JILL MANUEL is leaving this Tribune owned Chicago area cable news operation to become ND for WEWS-TV in Cleveland. More on that below. She’s been the ND here for more than 3 years.

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…ELLEN CROOKE has been promoted to Gannett’s WXIA-TV in Atlanta, where her title will be Director of the News and Information Center. She’s been ND here for more than six years, and previously was an ND in South Bend, IN for nine years.

KDBC-TV, El Paso, TX…RICK BAGLEY is leaving this Pappas owned CBS station after just more than a year as ND. As you’ll see below, he’s been named ND for KFSM-TV in Ft. Smith, AR.

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NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA…ELLEN CROOKE remains with Gannett as she moves south to become (as Gannett calls it) Director of the News and Information Center for this NBC affiliate. As reported above, Ellen’s been the ND for Gannett’s WGRZ-TV in Buffalo. She replaces CAL CALLAWAY who will remain with the station in a job that allows him to be more involved with day-to-day newsgathering. Cal was ND here for more than five years.

WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH…JILL MANUEL will be the next ND for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate. Jill has been ND for Tribune’s CLTV for the past 3 1/2 years, and previously worked as an EP at WBBM-TV. At WEWS, she’ll replace STEVE HYVONNEN who left the station in March after 20 months as ND.

KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR…RICK BAGLEY moves north to become the new ND for this Local TV owned CBS affiliate. We told you a few paragraphs above that he’s been the ND for KDBC-TV in El Paso for the last year or so. He replaces JAMES WARNER who left in May after one year as ND to take the same job at WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC.

KOBI-TV, Medford, OR…has filled its open ND job by hiring BILL KELLY, most recently the Chief Meteorologist for KPNX-TV in Phoenix. Bill worked as a meteorologist in the Medford market earlier in his career and wanted to return for family reasons. He replaces veteran ND DAN ACKLEN who retired…at least from TV…in April, after almost five years as ND here.

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 5/16/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 6/6/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 6/13/08)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (listed 6/6/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 6/27/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (listed 5/9/08)
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 (listed 6/20/08)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 7/03/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 7/25/08)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listing revised 5/2/08)
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 this week)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 6/27/08)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (listed 6/20/08)
WSYX/WTTE, Columbus, OH (relisted 5/16/08)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 6/20/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 7/03/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, listing revised 7/03/08)
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)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)

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OBITUARY:

I’m sorry to report the death of veteran Boston News Director JIM THISTLE. He died earlier this week after a long battle with cancer. He was the only man to have served as ND for three Boston TV stations. The obituaries from The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe have many more details.

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NAMES in the NEWS:

STEVE CHARLIER is assuming additional responsibilities as Senior VP/News and Operations for the management company formed by Tribune and Local TV. It’s all explained in this article from Mediaweek.

Former KOIN-TV News Director JEFF ALAN is suing that Portland, OR, station. You can read the details here. And you can see a copy of the suit by clicking here.

KTLA-TV in Los Angeles has two new Executive Producers: SCOTT WARREN is the new morning EP, while LIZ APPLEGATE is the new evening EP.

Best wishes to a prominent Lafayette, LA, news woman on her retirement, at least from TV. MARIA PLACER first worked at KLFY as a receptionist in 1966, became the first woman anchor in Southwest Louisiana and eventually became the first female news director. She’s taking a new job as Executive Director for a referral center for health and human services agencies.

Former WAAY-TV (Huntsville, AL) ND BEN BOLES is leaving this station after 13 years to take a job with local company working with digital media. Ben began as a photographer, worked his way up to ND, and most recently has been director of new media for the station.

Congratulations to two news directors who were recently married:

WESH-TV (Orlando, FL) ND BARB MAUSHARD married RANDY JONES in June. Randy works on the entertainment/marketing side of television. The couple met in Orlando. Barb has been ND there for about two years, and has also been an ND in Milwaukee and Ft. Smith, AR. You can wish her well via email at: bmaushard@hearst.com

And TRACEY WATKOWSKI, news director at Fresno’s KFSN-TV, married JIM SILVA in late May. Jim works in management for the Jamba Juice chain, but I can save you some time and trouble: there is NOT a discount if you mention Tracey’s name. (I asked. You can’t blame a guy for trying.) Tracey’s been the ND at KFSN since for two years, and previously worked in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. Your good wishes would reach her at: tracey.watkowski@abc.com

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, August 1, 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 *
KIAH-TV   7700 Westpark Dr.               Houston TX 77063
KPHO-TV   4016 N. Black Canyon Hwy.       Phoenix AZ 85017
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
KMGH-TV   123 Speer Blvd,                 Denver CO 80203
KGTV      4600 Air Way                    San Diego CA 92102
KUTH-TV   525 South 300 West #1           Salt Lake City UT 84101 *
WPBF-TV   3970 RCA Blvd., Suite 7007      Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
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
WOWK-TV   555 Fifth Ave.                  Huntington WV 25701
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
KYTV      999 W. Sunshine                 Springfield MO 65807
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
WAAY-TV   1000 Monte Sano Boulevard       Huntsville AL 35801
WAFF-TV   1414 N. Memorial Pkwy.          Huntsville AL 35801
WIS-TV    1111 Bull St.                   Columbia SC 29201
KWWL-TV   500 East Fourth St.             Waterloo IA 50703
WQAD-TV   3003 Park 16th St.              Moline IL 61265
KDBC-TV   2201 E. Wyoming Ave.            El Paso TX 79903
WEEK-TV   2907 Springfield Rd.            E. Peoria, IL 61611
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
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

July 28, 2008

Greetings:

It was great to see many of you at this week’s Unity Convention in Chicago. And that’s why the emailed version of our newsletter is a few hours late.

This week’s headline involves a veteran ND who’s returning to Florida for a new ND job. His move fills one open job, and creates another one.

In all, there are TWO new ND openings to tell you about and TWO new ND hires to report.

By my count, 31 stations are looking for a new ND.

Also this week…we’re re-running an ad for an Illinois ND job. We have a few news management openings we learned about at Unity, as well as some Names in the News.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

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NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

KUTH-TV, Salt Lake City, UT…this newly acquired Univision station is looking for a News Director/Anchor.

KMIR-TV, Palm Desert, CA…RUSS KILGORE heads east to become ND for WINK-TV in Ft. Myers, FL. More on that move below. Russ has been ND for this Journal Broadcasting-owned NBC affiliate for almost three years. His replacement will be the fourth ND here in five years.

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NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL…as noted above, RUSS KILGORE returns to Florida as the next ND for this Fort Myers Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. Russ has been ND at KMIR-TV in Palm Desert, but earlier in his career he spent eight years as ND for WESH-TV in Orlando. He’s also been an ND for WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, LA. He replaces BRUCE KIRK who resigned last month after just more than a year as news director.

KBTV, Beaumont, TX…this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate has named ANGEL SAN JUAN as News Director. He’s been the morning anchor here, and previously worked at cross-town rival KFDM-TV as a reporter/weekend anchor. He’s also worked in Lufkin, TX. Angel replaces PAUL BERGEN who left the station in March after six years as ND. Paul was promoted to be ND for sister-Nexstar station KTAL-TV in Shreveport, LA.

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HELP WANTED ADS

NEWS DIRECTOR, WQAD-TV, MOLINE, IL

We have a dynamic News Department and are looking for a News Director who is innovative, creative, and likes to have fun while providing great content to our current and future viewers. If you re afraid of leading this dynamic team into the HD era, you need not apply.

Responsibilities to accomplish this includes managing the news operation, directing staff, direction of all station newscasts, and setting and achieving budgets within established guidelines.

If you possess these qualities we want to talk to you!!!

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Establishes content philosophy and direction.
2. Develops long-range plans for news department
. 3. Handles performance issues of News Personnel at WQAD-TV including job evaluations and training, and leads in editing, writing, reporting, on air quality and develops news stories.
4. Hires News personnel.
5. Serves as a leader in the newsroom offering advice in editing, writing, reporting, on air quality and develops news stories, series and special assignments.
6. Oversees day-to-day budget controls, approving expenses and controlling and monitoring overtime and other costs.
7. Performs other duties as required for the News Director of WQAD-TV.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

Understanding of what constitutes news and how news is put together for a broadcast. Previous experience in TV news management. Flexibility regarding work hours a must. Ability to type, use computers, and other such equipment. Command of the language. This is not an entry-level position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Dexterity to operate typewriter, computer, editing equipment and other such equipment. Communication skills used in office setting to producenews. Vision to review and approve news scripts, view news, etc.

RELATIONSHIPS:
INTERNAL CONTACTS
Assistant News Director
News Staff
Station Senior Management.

EXTERNAL CONTACTS

Business, Government, Community and Civic Leaders

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION:
Send a resume to:
Cindy Parchert
Controller
WQAD-TV
3003 Park 16th Street
Moline IL 61265-6061

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.

While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, special projects, technological developments, etc.

Local TV, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (2 Openings, AM and PM, listed 4/18/08)
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, relisted 7/10/08)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 6/20/08)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 7/03/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted this week)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listing revised 5/2/08)
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 5/9/08)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 6/27/08)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (listed 6/20/08)
WSYX/WTTE, Columbus, OH (relisted 5/16/08)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 6/20/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 7/03/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, listing revised 7/03/08)
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 (new listing this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (new listing this week)

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NAMES in the NEWS:

WTXF-TV in Philadelphia has hired SARAH GRAHAM to be the next Assistant ND for this Fox o-and-o. She’s currently working at another FOX o-and-o, WNYW-TV in New York.

There’s a promotion to tell you about at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. ANGELA BENSON, currently the Dayside EP here, is moving up to become Managing Editor. WCCO, of course, is a CBS o-and-o.

There are also promotions involving news directors…or former news directors…at Granite Broadcasting. JERRY GIELSER, GM at Granite’s Ft. Wayne, IN, duopoly, adds the title of VP/Platform Integration and management. Jerry’s a former longtime Magid Consultant and a one-time ND in Phoenix and Peoria. And Jerry’s ND in Ft. Wayne, PETER NEUMANN, adds the title of Director of Content Strategy and News Operations. Peter spent more than 20 years as ND for WEAR-TV in Pensacola before moving to Ft. Wayne in 2006.

THOMAS BONIFIELD is leaving NBC News to become Chief Operating Officer for IHA, an international news gathering agency based in Istanbul and Frankfurt. Tom’s the Deputy Director of Foreign News Coverage at NBC, was previously Moscow Bureau Chief for NBC and has also worked at ABC News, Fox News Channel, and KSAZ-TV Phoenix. IHA has SNG trucks in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the Middle East and Europe serving clients worldwide.

Finally, the latest RTNDA survey shows an increase in the percentage of journalists of color and women working in local newsrooms during 2007. The news release, which has links to the date, can be found here.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, July 25, 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
WSNS-TV   430 W. Grant Place              Chicago IL 60614 *
WXIA-TV   1611 W. Peachtree St.           Atlanta GA 30309
KIAH-TV   7700 Westpark Dr.               Houston TX 77063
KPHO-TV   4016 N. Black Canyon Hwy.       Phoenix AZ 85017
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
WEWS-TV   3001 Euclid Ave.                Cleveland OH 44115
KMGH-TV   123 Speer Blvd,                 Denver CO 80203
KGTV      4600 Air Way                    San Diego CA 92102
KUTH-TV   525 South 300 West #1           Salt Lake City UT 84101 *
WPBF-TV   3970 RCA Blvd., Suite 7007      Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
KMPH-TV   5111 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WTEN-TV   341 Northern Blvd.              Albany NY 12204
WOWK-TV   555 Fifth Ave.                  Huntington WV 25701
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
KYTV      999 W. Sunshine                 Springfield MO 65807
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
WAAY-TV   1000 Monte Sano Boulevard       Huntsville AL 35801
WAFF-TV   1414 N. Memorial Pkwy.          Huntsville AL 35801
WIS-TV    1111 Bull St.                   Columbia SC 29201
KWWL-TV   500 East Fourth St.             Waterloo IA 50703
WQAD-TV   3003 Park 16th St.              Moline IL 61265 see ad above!
KFSM-TV   318 N. 13th St.                 Ft. Smith AR 72901
WEEK-TV   2907 Springfield Rd.            E. Peoria, IL 61611
KBMT-TV   525 Interstate 10 S.            Beaumont TX 77701
KOBI-TV   125 South Fir St.               Medford OR 97501
KMIR-TV   72920 Parkview Dr.              Palm Desert CA 92260
KTUU-TV   701 E. Tudor Rd. #220           Anchorage AK 99503
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
317-769-7910 (fax)
rick@rickgevers.com
www.rickgevers.com

July 21, 2008

Greetings:

Welcome to your pre-Unity Convention edition of your weekly newsletter covering news director and news management openings. I look forward to seeing many of you in Chicago next week. One note: due to the Unity convention, next week’s newsletter may be delayed.

We have FIVE new news director vacancies to tell you and about this week, while just ONE new news director was named.

By my count, that means there are now 31 stations with ND openings.

We have a paid ad for one of those openings, along with a re-run of an ad for a news director position at a regional cable sports network. There are a number of items in Names in the News, including ways you can donate to a new fund for a retired University of Missouri professor. And we have two obituaries, as well.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

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NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA…CAL CALLAWAY is stepping down as News Director for this Gannett-owned NBC affiliate, but staying on at the station in a role that will allow him to spend more time on day-to-day news gathering. Cal’s been ND here since January 2003. By the way, Cal tells me this move has nothing to do with his health, despite a report in an Atlanta newspaper.

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO…congratulations to BYRON GRANDY who’s been promoted to Station Manager for this McGraw-Hill-owned ABC affiliate. He’s been ND here for 7 1/2 years, and has also been a news director in San Antonio, TX, and Augusta, GA. He’s also worked in Dallas, Milwaukee, and Bryan, TX, as well as for the Broadcast Image Group.

KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS…TODD SPESSARD is leaving this New Vision TV-owned NBC affiliate to return to Tulsa as the next ND for KOKI-TV. More on that below. Todd’s been the ND here since 2003. Full disclosure: Todd worked for me in Grand Rapids in the early 90’s.

WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL…STEW HIRSCH has left this Raycom-owned NBC station after a little more than a year as news director. Stew’s also worked in Raleigh and at three stations in Columbus, OH.

WQAD-TV, Moline, IL…LEIGH GERMANIS has left this Local TV owned ABC affiliate after a little more than a year as the ND here. She’s also been an ND in Austin, MN, and has worked for Frank N. Magid Associates. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS OPENING IN THE PAID AD BELOW.

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NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…as noted above, TODD SPESSARD returns to Tulsa as news director for this Newport TV-owned Fox affiliate. Todd’s spent the last 5+ years as ND for KSNW-TV in Wichita. But he’s no stranger to Tulsa, having been the ND at KJRH-TV. Ironically, while at KJRH he worked with MELANIE HENRY who he now replaces at KOKI. She left the station in May after almost three years as ND. Todd’s also a former Ass’t. ND at KTUL-TV in Tulsa, and was also ND for KMIZ-TV in Columbia, MO.

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HELP WANTED ADS

NEWS DIRECTOR, WQAD-TV, MOLINE, IL

Responsibilities to accomplish this includes managing the news operation, directing staff, direction of all station newscasts, and setting and achieving budgets within established guidelines.

If you possess these qualities we want to talk to you!!!

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Dexterity to operate typewriter, computer, editing equipment and other such equipment. Communication skills used in office setting to produce news. Vision to review and approve news scripts, view news, etc.

RELATIONSHIPS:
INTERNAL CONTACTS
Assistant News Director
News Staff
Station Senior Management.

EXTERNAL CONTACTS

Business, Government, Community and Civic Leaders

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION: Send a resume to:

Cindy Parchert
Controller
WQAD-TV
3003 Park 16th Street
Moline IL 61265-6061

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.

Local TV, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

NEWS DIRECTOR, COMCAST SPORTS NET, Mid-Atlantic

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic is looking for an experienced News Director to run the news department at its regional sports network based in Bethesda, MD.

The qualified candidate will have a proven track record of strong news judgment, the ability to build a diverse news staff, the ability to strategically position a news brand and build a quality on-air product. An understanding of how to build ratings both on-air and online is also critical.

The ideal candidate will have strong collaborative leadership skills and the ability to motivate a staff. Understanding the importance of creating dynamic digital content drivers and thinking about the product in a multi-platform, 24/7 manner are key attributes for this position.

Please send all resumes and cover letters via email only to:

Princell Hair, Senior Vice President of News Operations for Comcast SportsNet at: phair@comcastsportsnet.com.

Interested candidates should also apply online.

Please visit the Employment Opportunities section of Comcast SportsNet.com (www.comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/inner/employment).

No phone calls please.

Comcast SportsNet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 5/16/08)
WTXF-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 6/20/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 6/6/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 6/13/08)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (listed 6/6/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 6/27/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (listed 5/9/08)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 7/10/08)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (2 Openings, AM and PM, listed 4/18/08)
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, relisted 7/10/08)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 6/20/08)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 7/03/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 7/3/08)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listing revised 5/2/08)
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 5/9/08)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 6/27/08)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (listed 6/20/08)
WSYX/WTTE, Columbus, OH (relisted 5/16/08)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 6/20/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 7/03/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, listing revised 7/03/08)
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)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (relisted 5/16/08)

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OBITUARIES:

I’m sorry to report the death of former Roanoke news director and anchor RONALD H. MacDONALD who died earlier this month at the age of 75. He also taught at Washington and Lee. More details on his life and career at: http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/168620

Our sympathy to JENNIFER HARDY, evening EP for KVVU-TV in Las Vegas. Her mother died this week of complications from routine knee replacement surgery. Your kind note would reach Jennifer at: jhardy@fox5vegas.com

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NAMES in the NEWS:

Congratulations to six local TV stations who have been nominated for a national EMMY Award. Nominations went to:

WBBM-TV, Chicago, IL
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC
KCNC-TV, Denver, CO
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN

More details are available at: http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/news_29th_nominations.html

KATHY GAZDA returns to a newsroom as Executive Producer for WPTV in West Palm Beach, FL. She most recently was Managing Editor at WFOR-TV in Miami, and is a previous ND in Providence, San Diego, and Albany, NY.

ZACHARY PEARL has been promoted to Assistant ND at KOB-TV in Albuquerque, NM. He had been the Executive Producer there and started at the station six years ago as a producer.

JOEY PARKER joins WCJB-TV in Gainesville, FL, as the new EP/Weekend Anchor. He had been the Assistant ND/Morning Anchor at KHAS-TV in Kearney, NE. Joey’s a one-time ND in Casper, WY.

Finally, a fund has been established to honor former University of Missouri professor (and former CBS Correspondent) W. DAVID DUGAN. One of Dave’s former students, JIM STEWART, endowed the fund. If you were one of the many students that Dave counseled over the years, you can contribute to the fund by going to this website:https://donatetomu.missouri.edu. Once you’re there, select MU Libraries under Gift Information Fund, and, in the comment section, type: W. David Dugan, Jr. Journalism Library Enhancement Fund. And I understand that Dave will be attending the Centennial Celebration for the Missouri Journalism School this September in Columbia.

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

Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, July 18, 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
WSNS-TV   430 W. Grant Place              Chicago IL 60614 *
WXIA-TV   1611 W. Peachtree St.           Atlanta GA 30309
KIAH-TV   7700 Westpark Dr.               Houston TX 77063
KPHO-TV   4016 N. Black Canyon Hwy.       Phoenix AZ 85017
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
WEWS-TV   3001 Euclid Ave.                Cleveland OH 44115
KMGH-TV   123 Speer Blvd,                 Denver CO 80203
KGTV      4600 Air Way                    San Diego CA 92102
WPBF-TV   3970 RCA Blvd., Suite 7007      Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
KMPH-TV   5111 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WTEN-TV   341 Northern Blvd.              Albany NY 12204
WINK-TV   2824 Palm Beach Blvd.           Fort Myers FL 33916
WOWK-TV   555 Fifth Ave.                  Huntington WV 25701
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
KYTV      999 W. Sunshine                 Springfield MO 65807
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
WAAY-TV   1000 Monte Sano Boulevard       Huntsville AL 35801
WAFF-TV   1414 N. Memorial Pkwy.          Huntsville AL 35801
WIS-TV    1111 Bull St.                   Columbia SC 29201
KWWL-TV   500 East Fourth St.             Waterloo IA 50703
WQAD-TV   3003 Park 16th St.              Moline IL 61265
KFSM-TV   318 N. 13th St.                 Ft. Smith AR 72901
WEEK-TV   2907 Springfield Rd.            E. Peoria, IL 61611
KBMT-TV   525 Interstate 10 S.            Beaumont TX 77701
KBTV      6155 Eastex Freeway #300        Beaumont TX 77706
KOBI-TV   125 South Fir St.               Medford OR 97501
KTUU-TV   701 E. Tudor Rd. #220           Anchorage AK 99503
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
317-769-7910 (fax)
rick@rickgevers.com
www.rickgevers.com