Rick Gevers & Associates

January 8, 2017

Greetings:

For the second consecutive week, there are NO new news director openings. And TWO stations filled vacancies, so our list of open ND jobs drops to 21.

We have lots of other items for you, including THREE paid help wanted ads, an ad for a well-regarded training programs for news directors and those who aspire to be NDs.

In Names in the News:

Former ND JILL GEISLER offers ten tips for news managers as we head into a new year and a new president. We have a story that looks at the history of the now shuttered Northwest Cable News. Also, new responsibilities for a former ND turned CNN executive, and a handful of news managers on the move.

And we have THREE obituaries, including one for a longtime Hawaii news manager who also worked for two mainland stations as news director.

All that…and more…as you read on.

“Kneeland will exceed your expectations. Guaranteed.”

Applications are due this week – Friday, January 13

Applications are due this Friday for The Kneeland Project’s next session, which will be held March 1-3, 2017 in Austin, Texas.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected participants.The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals.

In a recent survey of Kneeland Fellows, 100% reported they still regularly use lessons learned at Kneeland, believe that time spent at Kneeland improved their career and said they have recommended Kneeland to a friend or colleague.

You’ll join this session’s faculty and 17 other outstanding journalists to explore the exciting challenges that face our industry, and you’ll leave the program with a solid plan to guide your leadership decisions starting day one. This isn’t theoretical information that you will put on a shelf and neglect. Every participant will walk away with concrete action items to implement immediately that will make a difference in their newsroom…and their life.

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

Click here for more information and to apply. www.kneelandproject.org

New News Director Openings:

For the second consecutive week, I’m not aware of any new openings. If you know something I don’t (likely true on MANY levels!) please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Newly Named News Directors:

WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY…CHRIS GEGG begins tomorrow (Monday, January 9) as the new news director for this Sinclair Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. Chris spent the last four years as news director for Hearst’s WISN-TV in Milwaukee. He’s also been an ND in Madison, WI, and has worked in Detroit, Nashville, Tampa, Toledo and Midland, TX. At WRGB, Chris replaces STEVE RICHARDS who left the station at the end of November after two years as ND.

WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC…ERIC WALTERS, a 20 year veteran of this Media General (for now) owned CBS affiliate, has been promoted to news director. He’s been the Assistant News Director for the last three years. JO BROWN will become the new Assistant ND. She’s been working on the station’s digital team. Here’s the news release. All of these moves were necessitated by the departure of ND DANA RITTER who left the station to become Washington Bureau Chief for Christian Broadcasting Network.

Paid Help Wanted Ads: 

Evening Executive Producer, WFMY-TV Greensboro, NC:

Are you all about social and new media? Do you like change? And does “risk” mean “potential”in your vocabulary? Be part of a news team that’s changing, growing and serving our community in the process. WFMY News 2, the TEGNA-owned CBS affiliate in Greensboro, NC is experiencing an exciting time in its newsroom and has an opening for a dynamic, creative Evening Executive Producer.

The Evening Executive Producer is a strong leader with major, breaking news experience, strong editorial judgment, newscast producing expertise and fully understands the needs of our audience across all our platforms. This position requires solid decision making skills, the ability to work well in a dynamic newsroom environment, social media experience and leadership in the digital content areas and skilled at infusing the mission of “2 Wants to Know” into all newscasts.

As the third largest metropolitan in North Carolina, Greensboro made it on US News’ top 100
Best Cities to Live list. Big enough to have everything you need at your fingertips but small
enough to have a home town feel, Greensboro has it all! Nicknamed the “Gate City”,
Greensboro is a quick drive to and from major cities in North Carolina. Whether you want to
relax at home, experience the mountains in the fall or beaches in the summer, centrally located Greensboro is the place to call home!

If you are looking for a fast-paced atmosphere to thrive and develop – WFMY News 2 and
Greensboro is the place to be!

Please apply here!

Executive Producer, WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC:

WCBD-TV, the NBC affiliate in beautiful Charleston, SC, is seeking a dynamic Executive Producer with a proven record of success in a multi-platform environment. We are looking for a leader for our rapidly growing morning newscast, “News 2 Today”, with the ability to showcase breaking news and weather on a daily basis. The successful candidate will be an outstanding writer, editor, and creative force with a clear vision for growing our audience across all platforms, a critical thinker with excellent news judgment and communication skills, a problem solver who thrives in often stressful situations, and a superstar producer who can step onto the front lines when needed.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Level Degree
Communications, Journalism, or related field

Minimum Experience:

2 yrs. of experience.

Minimum of 3 years producing newscasts in a large or medium market; prior management experience preferred; extensive knowledge of news production on all platforms (broadcast, mobile, web, and social media).

If you’re ready to join the News 2 management team, send your resume, cover letter with news philosophy, and link to a recent newscast to WCBD-TV, 210 W. Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.

All candidates must apply online at www.mediageneral.com.

No phone calls, please.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans. Pre-employment drug screen and background check required. Valid driver’s license required.

Assistant News Director, KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AK:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted this week)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted 12/24/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 12/24/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 12/24/16)
KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL (listed 12/18/16, see display ad above!)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, listed 12/24/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listing revised this week)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/24/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listing revised this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted this week)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (PM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 12/11/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/18/16)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 12/24/16)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

Obituaries:

Wally Z.

WALLY ZIMMERMAN, a longtime news director who spent most of his career in Hawaii, died this week at the age of 73 at his home in Nashville. KHON-TV in Honolulu, one of two stations where Wally worked, aired this tribute in which you’ll learn about his famous college roommate and the big-name actress he once dated. He also was a news director in Detroit and Green Bay and spent the last few years working in public relations.

MARY THERESE VANN, sister of long-time broadcaster LES VANN, died suddenly on NewYear’s Eve at the age of 55. Les and his family spent the holidays with M.T., as she was known, and he tells me her passing came as quite a shock. More in this obituary. Les is a longtime news director and general manager who’s currently the GM at WFTX-TV in Ft. Myers. Your kind note of sympathy would reach him at: lesvanntv@gmail.com

BUDDY BOSTICK, who launched TV stations in Bryan and Waco, TX, died this week at the age of 98. He flew planes until he was 90! You’ll learn more about an interesting life in this obituary.

Names in the News:

Tegna’s Northwest Cable News signed off Friday night after 21 years. The history of the 24 hour cable network…and the factors that lead to its demise are covered in this story.

RAMON ESCOBAR has increased his duties at CNN, as he has been named VP of Diversity and Inclusion at CNN Worldwide.

JILL GEISLER offers ten tips for newsroom managers as we head into a new year in this story from the Columbia Journalism Review.

Atlanta’s WGCL-TV (CBS/Meredith) has named ELISE DURHAM as its EP of Special Projects.

Two new EPs at WAAY-TV in Huntsville, AL. MACKENZI (cq) HICKS joins this ABC affiliate from WGCL-TV in Atlanta, where she’s been a producer. And HEATHER MATHIS has been promoted to EP. She’s been a meteorologist for the station and will continue to do on-air weather.

General Manager News and Notes:

McDonald

After almost 33 years at WDAF-TV in Kansas City in a variety of roles, CHERYL McDONALD announced her retirement this week. She’s been the GM since 2002 and will leave no later than June…or earlier when her successor is named. Cheryl is married to former WDAF News Director MIKE McDONALD who retired when she was promoted to GM.

CATHY GUNTHER has been promoted to GM for Cox’s KOKI-TV in Tulsa. She’s been the general sales manager for this FOX affiliate.

MARK BUNTING is leaving Media General’s (soon to be Nexstar’s) WKRG-TV in Mobile to become GM for Raycom owned NBC affiliate WSFA-TV in Montgomery. He and his wife have family there. Mark’s been the GM for five years and has worked at the station for ten.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, January 8, 2017:

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

KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WPBF-TV 3970 Rca Blvd #7007, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WOWK-TV 555 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WCAX-TV PO Box 4508. Burlington VT 05406
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560
WNCT-TV 3221 Evans St, Greenville, NC 27834
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KDLT-TV 3600 South Westport Avenue Sioux Falls SD 57106
KADN/KLAF-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd Lafayette, LA 70506
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV PO Box 320 Tupelo MS 38802
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave. Duluth MN 55802
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, Ms. 39301
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. N Twin Falls, ID 83301

January 1, 2017

Greetings:

Happy New Year!

As you’d expect, pretty slow this week.

NO newly opened news director jobs, while ONE station announced a new ND. That moves our list of open ND jobs to 23.

We welcome a new annual advertiser this week, as Sinclair Broadcast Group supports this newsletter with a series of recruiting ads that you’ll be seeing in the weeks and months ahead.

And we have THREE other paid help wanted ads in this issue.

As you probably know, today’s was the day of an affiliate change in Boston, and we have the latest in a story from the Boston Globe. That’s in Names in the News, along with some news managers on the move.

Best wishes to you and yours for a safe, happy, and successful 2017.

New News Director Openings:

No new openings this week that I’m aware of. If you know something I don’t, please let me know via email: rick@rickgevers.com

Newly Named News Director:

Jones

WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS…Hearst continues its trend of promoting from within with the news that YVE JONES will be the next ND for this ABC affiliate. Here’s the news release. She’s been the Assistant News Director at Hearst’s KHBS/KHOG-TV in Ft. Smith, AR, since 2014. Yve’s also worked for Hearst stations in New Orleans and Milwaukee. At WAPT, she replaces BEN HART who was promoted to ND for the company’s WISN-TV in Milwaukee.

Paid Help Wanted Ads: 

Morning Executive Producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

We are seeking an Executive Producer who will take the editorial lead each day and develop multi-platform content that succeeds on air and on digital. This individual will manage, coach, and motivate a team of producers, writers, reporters, anchors, and photojournalists who are among the best in the business. The Executive Producer is responsible for the overall content of assigned newscasts, manages all aspects of breaking news, social engagement, and ensures the product stays on brand. Effective communication and decision making under daily deadline pressure are a must. The Executive Producer must have strong ethics, a solid producing background, a desire and ability to win the day, and be an exceptional troubleshooter. This individual must be able to generate unique content, and develop and produce specials as required. The EP will also work closely with other news managers and the News Director to implement winning strategies for each newscast.

We are seeking a candidate with the following:

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field.
Must have five or more years producing experience in a major television market.
Must be able to effectively manage people & act decisively under pressure.
Must know news and what is important to the community.
Must have social media knowledge and a digital footprint.
Must have technical expertise to booth live newscasts and troubleshoot problems
Must perform administrative duties including scheduling, performance reviews, training of new staff, and provide critical feedback as needed.

To learn more about this job and apply, please click here.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Senior Media Consultant, SmithGeiger:

Help shape the future of media as part of the industry’s most innovative market research and consulting firm.

SmithGeiger LLC is looking for a Senior Strategist with total command of the latest digital engagement and monetization techniques, and recent experience with modern media and station operations. You must have extreme creativity, interests in all platforms, exceptional communication and writing skills, relentless client customization abilities, a commitment to excellence, and be a true team player.

You will work face-to-face with the Who’s Who of Tech, Social Media, Mobile, Internet, OTT, Studio, Program Syndication, Cable and Broadcast companies, and provide state of the art research and on-going strategic counsel that produce successful results. CEO Dave Smith calls this the true “Golden Age of Media.”

Be part of the team innovating in these unprecedented times.

Email resume and any relevant links to: jobs@smithgeiger.com

Job Type: Full Time
Travel: Yes
Experience: 5-20 years
Education: College/Experience
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Assistant News Director, KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AK:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted 12/24/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 12/24/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 12/24/16)
KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL (listed 12/18/16, see display ad above!)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, listed 12/24/16, see ad above!)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/24/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listing revised 12/24/16, two openings, AM & PM)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 12/11/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/18/16)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 12/24/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

Names in the News:

Today was the first day of the affiliate switch in Boston, with Comcast/NBC launching a new channel and former NBC affiliate WHDH-TV becoming an independent. More from the Boston Globe.

Behle

Veteran Bay Area newsman BRANDON BEHLE joins KGO-TV, the ABC o-and-o in San Francisco, as Executive Producer. All the details are in this note to the staff from KGO’s News Director, TRACY WATKOWSKI SILVA.

MISTIE LACKEY is leaving her job as Assistant News Director for KSLA-TV in Shreveport in a few months. Mistie tells me she’s going to move back to her home town of Nashville and figure out ‘life after that’. She’s previously worked for two stations in Nashville, as well as in Sacramento, Atlanta, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Knoxville, and Johnson City, TN.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, January 1, 2017:

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

KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WPBF-TV 3970 Rca Blvd #7007, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road. Schenectady, NY 12309
WOWK-TV 555 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WCAX-TV PO Box 4508. Burlington VT 05406
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560
WNCT-TV 3221 Evans St, Greenville, NC 27834
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach SC 29588
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KDLT-TV 3600 South Westport Avenue Sioux Falls SD 57106
KADN/KLAF-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd Lafayette, LA 70506
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV PO Box 320 Tupelo MS 38802
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave. Duluth MN 55802
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, Ms. 39301
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. N Twin Falls, ID 83301

December 24, 2016

Greetings:

And my holiday gift to you is…this newsletter, delivered a day early.

You weren’t seriously expecting anything else, were you?

For a short week leading into a holiday, seems like we have a lot to tell you.

For instance, there are THREE new news director openings. TWO stations hired new news directors.

Our list of open ND jobs moves slightly higher, to 24.

ONE of those open ND jobs is among our FIVE paid help wanted ads.

Speaking of FIVE, there are that many items in our General Manager news section.

And in Names in the News, we’ll tell you about a former Phoenix news director who’s taking a new job in the public sector. You’ll also learn about a chief meteorologist becoming the Assistant ND for his station, while a former New York ND has a new role at ESPN.

The best wishes for the holidays to you and your family.

New News Director Openings:

WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…PAIGE HARRISON is transferring within Hearst to become ND for WCVB-TV in Boston. She’s been ND here for four years. More on her move below.

Tebbets

WCAX-TV, Burlington, VT…after seven years as ND, ANSON TEBBETTS is returning to state government as Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture for the state of Vermont. He’d been the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture from 2007-2009 before returning to WCAX where he’d worked as a reporter for 13 years. The station aired this tribute. WCAX is a CBS affiliate and has been family owned since signing on in 1954.

Heinert

KDLT-TV, Sioux Falls, SD…PAUL HEINERT is leaving this Red River Broadcast owned NBC affiliate to take a job with Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. He’s been the ND here for seven years and has worked at the station for 13 years. He began as a weekend anchor, also worked in sports, and has anchored the 5:00 news in addition to his ND job.

Newly Named News Directors:

Harrison

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA…you know from our report on Monday that PAIGE HARRISON has been named ND for this Hearst owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the story from the station’s website. She’s no stranger to Hearst, having spent the last four years as ND for its ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach, WPBF-TV. She’s been with the company for almost 14 years, and previously has worked at Hearst stations in Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Oklahoma City. Paige replaces ANDREW VREES who’s been promoted to a VP/News role.

Best

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL…CHRIS BEST has been named news director for this Media General soon to be owned by Nexstar CBS affiliate. Here’s the note from GM MARK BUNTING. He’s been the Assistant ND at WMC-TV in Memphis for the last 2+ years. Chris has worked in senior management roles in a number of newsrooms, as you’ll learn via his Linkedin page. At WKRG, he replaces MIKE RAUSCH who left in October after seven years to become ND for KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, CO.

Paid Help Wanted Ads: 

Morning Executive Producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

We are seeking an Executive Producer who will take the editorial lead each day and develop multi-platform content that succeeds on air and on digital. This individual will manage, coach, and motivate a team of producers, writers, reporters, anchors, and photojournalists who are among the best in the business. The Executive Producer is responsible for the overall content of assigned newscasts, manages all aspects of breaking news, social engagement, and ensures the product stays on brand. Effective communication and decision making under daily deadline pressure are a must. The Executive Producer must have strong ethics, a solid producing background, a desire and ability to win the day, and be an exceptional troubleshooter. This individual must be able to generate unique content, and develop and produce specials as required. The EP will also work closely with other news managers and the News Director to implement winning strategies for each newscast.

We are seeking a candidate with the following:

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field.
Must have five or more years producing experience in a major television market.
Must be able to effectively manage people & act decisively under pressure.
Must know news and what is important to the community.
Must have social media knowledge and a digital footprint.
Must have technical expertise to booth live newscasts and troubleshoot problems
Must perform administrative duties including scheduling, performance reviews, training of new staff, and provide critical feedback as needed.

To learn more about this job and apply, please click here.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Senior Media Consultant, SmithGeiger:

Help shape the future of media as part of the industry’s most innovative market research and consulting firm.

SmithGeiger LLC is looking for a Senior Strategist with total command of the latest digital engagement and monetization techniques, and recent experience with modern media and station operations. You must have extreme creativity, interests in all platforms, exceptional communication and writing skills, relentless client customization abilities, a commitment to excellence, and be a true team player.

You will work face-to-face with the Who’s Who of Tech, Social Media, Mobile, Internet, OTT, Studio, Program Syndication, Cable and Broadcast companies, and provide state of the art research and on-going strategic counsel that produce successful results. CEO Dave Smith calls this the true “Golden Age of Media.”

Be part of the team innovating in these unprecedented times.

Email resume and any relevant links to: jobs@smithgeiger.com

Job Type: Full Time
Travel: Yes
Experience: 5-20 years
Education: College/Experience
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

News Director, WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV:

Position Summary:

The News Director leads and supervises all aspects of news, including broadcast and digital, weather and sports programming.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

* Manages all aspects of the News Department (other than Production.)
* Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department.
* Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees.
* Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website.
* Critiques newscasts on a daily basis to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
* Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met.
* Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals.
* Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming.
* Responds to coverage questions.
* Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

You must apply online to be considered for this position. Please click here to access all career opportunities for WOWK-TV and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.

WOWK-TV is an equal opportunity employer.

Morning Executive Producer, WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

Fox4, WFTX – TV, a Scripps-owned station serving the Ft Myers market (DMA #61), aka “PARADISE”, has an exciting opportunity for a MORNING EXECUTIVE PRODUCER who is a proven leader with excellent news judgment, strong writing skills and a passion for being first with breaking news and the creativity to produce content that’s essential for the morning audience across all platforms. You must be a good communicator with strong people skills. Fluency in social media is a must.

Our resources include the market’s only virtual set and breaking news tracker vehicle. In addition, the power of Scripps’ national network of local news operations and digital businesses provides a reach and an opportunity no other company can match.

Scripps leaders are trained and developed to lead for the present, and groomed for future opportunities in the company.

Candidates must have a four year college degree in journalism, communication or a related field and 3-5 years of experience; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The following characteristics and skills are a must:

• Knowledge and demonstration of editorial judgment, journalistic ethics and libel laws
• Ability to create tactics and strategies to increase demo performance in key target areas for multiple platforms
• Have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations

The SWFL lifestyle needs no embellishment. You’ll enjoy some of the world’s finest weather (average of 75 degrees), beaches, water sports, golf, restaurants and entertainment.

To apply, please visit here:

Assistant News Director, KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AK:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted this week)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted this week)
KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL (listed 12/18,16, see display ad above!)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 12/4/16)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted this week)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listing revised this week, two openings, AM & PM)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 12/11/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted 12/18/16, see ad above!)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted this week)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

Names in the News:

Casey

Veteran news director MARK CASEY has a new job in the public sector. He’s been named Director of Public Information for the Maricopa (AZ) County Sheriff’s office. That’s the Phoenix area. Mark will work for a new sheriff, PAUL PENZONE, who soundly defeated longtime and controversial sheriff JOE ARPAIO in the November election. Mark had been ND and Station Manager for KPNX-TV in Phoenix before leaving earlier this year.

Longley

At WSYR-TV in Syracuse, Chief Meteorologist DAVE LONGLEY has been named Assistant News Director for this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. He announced the move on air. He’s done weather there for 25 years. But Dave’s been battling multiple sclerosis for more than ten years. Learn more about his battle in this story.

Balta

One time New York City (Telemundo) News Director HUGO BALTA has a new job at ESPN. He’s been named Senior Director of Hispanic Initiatives for ESPN Deportes. Hugo’s a past Managing Editor at WCBS-TV and a former President of NAHJ. More in this article from Media Moves.

General Manager News:

There are a number of General Manager and other management moves this week:

At KPNX-TV in Phoenix, DEAN DITMER has been named GM for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. He replaces JOHN MISNER, who’s run KPNX for 14 years. John’s taken a new job (actually a dual appointment) at Arizona State University as you’ll learn here.

At WBIR-TV in Knoxville, another Tegna owned NBC affiliate, DAVID HUNT has been chosen to replace JEFF LEE, who is retiring, as GM.

In Baton Rouge, ERIC THOMAS will oversee the Nexstar operations there. He’ll be replaced in Lubbock by CINDY GILSTRAP.

KTVI-TV in St. Louis has promoted KURT KRUEGER to Station Manager. A longtime employee, he’s been the director of sales.

Finally, JIM McKERNAN has new responsibilities at Quincy Media. He’ll oversee the company’s TV and Radio operations in Quincy and will continue in his role as GM of KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA. And JOHN HUFF has been promoted to Station Manager at KWWL.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, December 24, 2016:

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

December 18, 2016

Monday, December 19, 2016 UPDATE:

To no one’s great surprise, Hearst Television wasted little time in filling the news director vacancy at WCVB-TV, its Boston ABC affiliate.

Harrison

PAIGE HARRISON, a longtime Hearst employee who’s spent the last 4 + years as ND for the company’s WPBF-TV (ABC) in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, will replace ANDREW VREES at WCVB. She’s been with Hearst for almost 14 years, and previously has worked for the company in Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Oklahoma City.

The Boston Business Journal has more.

Andrew’s being promoted to a VP/News role for Hearst. He’ll be based in Boston.

Given the approaching holiday, I suspect it will be fairly quiet the rest of the week.

But I’ve been wrong before!

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Some very interesting items in today’s report, many of them involving veteran news directors.

Many of these news directors are women, including one who is becoming Senior VP/News for a major company. And one is retiring after 36 years as an ND in a top ten market. And there’s much more.

We report on all those changes below. They result in our list of open ND jobs increasing to 23.

ONE of those open ND jobs is including in our FOUR Paid Help Wanted Ads. And TWO of the other ads are for news management jobs in markets that are 4,865 miles apart in two wildly different clients.

Also this week…FOUR local stations won DuPont Awards. A long-ago Jacksonville news director died. A retiring Mississippi news director was given a day in his honor. And in our Social Report, people with hundreds of years of news management experienced convened in Indianapolis this week for lunch.

Two notes. Our publication schedule for the next two weeks may be impacted by holiday travel.

And our emailed circulation for this newsletter has now reached the 1,400 mark. Quite a jump from its start as an email to two friends who were looking for a new job.

And that doesn’t include the 1,800-2,000 per week who see this on my website.

Thanks to all the readers, the tipsters, and the advertisers for making it possible.

Happy holidays!

New News Director Openings:

Vrees

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA…as we reported earlier this week, ANDREW VREES is being promoted to VP/News for station owner Hearst Television. Andrew’s been ND for this ABC affiliate for almost eight years, and spent five years before that as ND of Hearst’s WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH. Andrew’s promotion was one of a series of news management changes in Hearst. They are all outlined in our Names in the News segment below.

Reyelts

KBJR-TV, Duluth, MN…BARBARA REYELTS is retiring as news director of this Quincy owned station…though not until next August. She’s been at the station since 1979, and became news director in 2008. This article has more on Barbara’s background, as well as the history of longtime station anchor MICHELLE LEE who is stepping down at the end of the year.

Newly Named News Directors:

Roth

KTSF-TV, San Francisco, CA…veteran news director GEOFF ROTH takes on an unusual challenge: he’s been named ND for this Asian independent TV station. Geoff joined the station this summer as Director of Content Development. He has a wide and varied background in our business, with, by my count, six ND jobs, numerous news management positions, and a stint in education. His Linkedin page has the full story.

Shirinian

Speaking of stories, the woman Geoff is replacing has quite a story. ROSE SHIRINIAN is retiring after an amazing 36 YEARS as the news director here. She founded the news department in 1980 after working part-time for four years. Rose was a full time dental hygienist! KTSF General Manager MARK ANTONITIS details Rose’s remarkable story in this farewell memo.

Paid Help Wanted Ads: 

News Director, WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV:

Position Summary:

The News Director leads and supervises all aspects of news, including broadcast and digital, weather and sports programming.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

* Manages all aspects of the News Department (other than Production.)
* Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department.
* Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees.
* Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website.
* Critiques newscasts on a daily basis to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
* Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met.
* Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals.
* Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming.
* Responds to coverage questions.
* Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

You must apply online to be considered for this position. Please click here to access all career opportunities for WOWK-TV and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.

WOWK-TV is an equal opportunity employer.

Morning Executive Producer, WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

Fox4, WFTX – TV, a Scripps-owned station serving the Ft Myers market (DMA #61), aka “PARADISE”, has an exciting opportunity for a MORNING EXECUTIVE PRODUCER who is a proven leader with excellent news judgment, strong writing skills and a passion for being first with breaking news and the creativity to produce content that’s essential for the morning audience across all platforms. You must be a good communicator with strong people skills. Fluency in social media is a must.

Our resources include the market’s only virtual set and breaking news tracker vehicle. In addition, the power of Scripps’ national network of local news operations and digital businesses provides a reach and an opportunity no other company can match.

Scripps leaders are trained and developed to lead for the present, and groomed for future opportunities in the company.

Candidates must have a four year college degree in journalism, communication or a related field and 3-5 years of experience; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The following characteristics and skills are a must:

• Knowledge and demonstration of editorial judgment, journalistic ethics and libel laws
• Ability to create tactics and strategies to increase demo performance in key target areas for multiple platforms
• Have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations

The SWFL lifestyle needs no embellishment. You’ll enjoy some of the world’s finest weather (average of 75 degrees), beaches, water sports, golf, restaurants and entertainment.

To apply, please visit here:

Senior Media Consultant, SmithGeiger:

Help shape the future of media as part of the industry’s most innovative market research and consulting firm.

SmithGeiger LLC is looking for a Senior Strategist with total command of the latest digital engagement and monetization techniques, and recent experience with modern media and station operations. You must have extreme creativity, interests in all platforms, exceptional communication and writing skills, relentless client customization abilities, a commitment to excellence, and be a true team player.

You will work face-to-face with the Who’s Who of Tech, Social Media, Mobile, Internet, OTT, Studio, Program Syndication, Cable and Broadcast companies, and provide state of the art research and on-going strategic counsel that produce successful results. CEO Dave Smith calls this the true “Golden Age of Media.”

Be part of the team innovating in these unprecedented times.

Email resume and any relevant links to: jobs@smithgeiger.com

Job Type: Full Time
Travel: Yes
Experience: 5-20 years
Education: College/Experience
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 10/30/16)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 12/4/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 12/4/16)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 12/4/16)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (relisted 10/23/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 10/23/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 10/23/16)
KTUU-TV, Anchorage, AL (see display ad above!)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (relisted 10/30/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 11/20/16)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (Spec. Projects Sr. EP, relisted 11/16/16)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior EP, relisted 11/6/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 12/4/16)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 11/20/16)
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, listed 10/23/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/20/16)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two openings, listed 10/23/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, relisted 11/20/16)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted 11/27/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 12/4/16)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (2 openings, EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 12/4/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 12/11/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 11/13/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/20/16)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM EP, relisted this week, see ad above!)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/23/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 10/30/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 11/27/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 11/27/16)

Obituary:

One time WJXT-TV (Jacksonville, FL) News Director ERNIE MASTRIOANNI died Sunday, December 11, at the age of 82. He spent many years as an investigative reporter in Jacksonville, taught at Northwestern University, and spent 16 years as the elected Duval County Property Appraiser. Click here for a detailed obituary.

Names in the News:

Two major broadcast groups made changes to their corporate news director ranks this week.

As mentioned above, Hearst promoted ANDREW VREES to VP/News, leaving his old job open at WCVB-TV in Boston. BARBARA MAUSHARD was named Senior VP/News, from VP/News. KCRA-TV News Director LORI WALDON was named Regional News Director. She’ll remain ND in Sacramento. And CANDY ALTMAN continues in her VP/News role. It’s all explained here.

And Sinclair Broadcasting promoted three of its news directors to Regional News Directors. BLAISE LABBE (San Antonio) MARK NEERMAN (Las Vegas) and JULIE FRIES (Asheville, NC) will continuing running their newsrooms and also help oversee other Sinclair stations in their regions. Sinclair’s VP/News SCOTT LIVINGSTON outlined the changes in this email.

Congratulations to four local TV stations honored this week with DuPont Awards. Winners were WXIA-TV in Atlanta, WTHR-TV here in Indianapolis, WVIT-TV in Hartford, and KXAN-TV in Austin, TX. Details of ALL the winners, and links to the stories, are here.

Retiring WTOK-TV (Meridian, MS) News Director JOHN JOHNSON was honored with a day in his honor in Meridian. He served the station and community for 32 years, and the station reported on his ‘day’ here.

MARISSA MILLER returns to WAND-TV in Decatur, IL, as the station’s Managing Editor. She’d worked there earlier in her career, first as a photographer, then web content manager. She’s spent the last two years at WISH-TV in Indianapolis on the digital side.

The network or cable newscasts didn’t cover it. In fact, this may be the only place you’ll read about it, but many of our industry’s problems were solved last Thursday during a second annual luncheon of veteran news directors here in Indianapolis. (Okay, maybe not solved, but many great stories were told!) Attendees came from as far away as Wilmington, NC (via Pittsburgh), Toledo, Lexington, Louisville, and Evansville. Bad weather kept others from joining us from South Bend and Champaign, IL. Dozens of years of industry leadership were represented.

We hope to make this an annual event. Please let me know if you’d like to join us next year, exact date and location TBA.

Standing (L-R): Brian Trauring, Tom Becherer, Lucy Himstedt, Rick Gevers
Seated (L-R): Paul Paolicelli, Ed Godfrey, Ken Kurtz, Lee Giles, Ray Depa

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 18, 2016:

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

KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WCVB-TV 5 TV Place Needham MA 02494
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road. Schenectady, NY 12309
WKRG-TV 555 Broadcast Dr. Mobile AL 36606
WOWK-TV 555 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701 (see ad above!)
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way, Jackson, MS 39209
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Drive New Bern, NC 28560
WNCT-TV 3221 Evans St, Greenville, NC 27834
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach SC 29588
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KADN/KLAF-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd Lafayette, LA 70506
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV PO Box 320 Tupelo MS 38802
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave. Duluth MN 55802
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, Ms. 39301
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. N Twin Falls, ID 83301