Rick’s Weekly Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

June 5, 2016

Monday, June 6, 2016 UPDATE:

There are now TWO news director openings in Houston after news today that RHONDA LAVELLE is leaving KPRC-TV to return to Detroit, where she’s taking the ND job at Scripps’ WXYZ-TV (ABC).

Here’s the note from GM MIKE MURRI to the staff.

LaVelle

Rhonda has been the ND for KPRC since July 2014, when she was promoted. She joined that Graham Media owned station a few months earlier as the Assistant News Director, but had spent 16 years as an EP for Graham’s (then called Post-Newsweek’s) NBC affiliate in Detroit, WDIV-TV.

Rhonda is a native Michigander and has also worked in Saginaw and for another Detroit station.

She replaces DAVE MANNEY who left earlier this year to return to New York as EP of Investigations for WNBC-TV.

As we mentioned, the ND opening in Houston is the second there, with FOX o-and-o KRIV-TV also looking for an ND.

More in our full report later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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Greetings:

TWO.

That’s the number of newly named news directors AND the number of new news director openings in this week’s report. Our list of open ND jobs increases ever so slightly to 27.

ONE of those openings is featured in a Paid Help Wanted ad below. And we have an ad just below for the Kneeland Project.

Lots of news managers moving this week. We have those details below along with an Indiana GM change. And a fun story connecting a legendary comedian, a well known TV host and personality, and a former Las Vegas News Director.

“Kneeland will exceed your expectations. Guaranteed.”

Applications are due June 10.

Applications are due this Friday (June 10, 2016) for The Kneeland Project’s next session, which will be held September 7-10, 2016 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.

New News Director Openings:

Takahashi

WAND-TV, Decatur, IL…after 6 1/2 years, TAI TAKAHASHI is headed to Oregon to be the Assistant News Director for Tegna’s KGW-TV in Portland, OR. Tai told me he has a lot of family in Portland so he is excited about the move. He’s a former ND in Lexington, KY, who’s also worked in Seattle, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Wichita, and Topeka. WAND is an NBC affiliate owned by Block Communications.

KRCG-TV, Jefferson City/Columbia, MO…JULIE MORAVCHIK is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate to return to her native Wisconsin as ND for WGBA-TV in Green Bay. More on that below. She spent about 15 months as ND here.

Newly Named News Directors:

Volpicella

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA…FRANK VOLPICELLA rejoins GM MARK PIMENTEL as ND for this Meredith owned CBS affiliate. They worked together previously at both WSB-TV in Atlanta and in Huntsville, where Mark hired Frank as his ND at WAFF-TV. Here’s Mark’s note to the staff, and here’s the story from the local paper. You’ll remember Frank left KVUE-TV in Austin, TX, in April after taking the Tegna buyout. He’s also worked in Tampa, Jacksonville, FL, and Lexington. Frank replaces LARRY PERRET who was ND here for just under two years. EP LEESA DILLON also left the station. And if you’re counting (and judging by my emails, many of you are) Frank becomes the sixth ND in eight years here.

Moravchik

WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI…as reported above, JULIE MORAVCHIK has been named news director for this Scripps’ owned NBC affiliate. She relayed to me that she’s a Wisconsin native and (of course) a huge Packers’ fan. More from the WGBA website. She’s been the ND for KRCG-TV in the Jefferson City/Columbia, MO market, has been an ND in Grand Forks, ND, and in Duluth, and has also worked in Minneapolis. At WGBA, she replaces BOB HEALEY who left earlier this month to take an anchor job in Montana.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY:

WHEC-TV (News10NBC), Rochester, NY a Hubbard Broadcasting station, is seeking a dynamic News Director who is a strong leader with a clear vision and the ability to communicate that vision to the staff. You must be passionate, realizing we make a HUGE difference every day in our community, and you must have a strong desire to teach, lead and learn with our award winning News Team.

Our TEAM has won many awards including several regional Murrow awards and a national Murrow Award over the past several years. We have built a team that is driven by excellence in journalism across all platforms.

We produce 5 hours of news each weekday and quarterly hour-long specials tackling issues which are vital to the welfare of our community. We are an advocate for the community and we look to hold those that abuse their powers accountable. We have a top notch digital team that has consistently ranked #1 in viewer engagement due to the strong story-telling we produce every day.

Our culture is one of service; service to our community and to one-another. You should know how to listen, learn, assess challenges and opportunities, collaborate to find solutions, and implement change. You should be open to finding new solutions and taking risks. You must be good with multitasking and prioritization in order to meet deadlines. On our side, we will work very hard as a station and company to help you grow as a person and news professional.

To view the detailed posting and apply, click here:

No phone calls please. EOE

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 5/15/16)
KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 4/16/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 4/2/16)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted 5/8/16)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 5/15/16)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (relisted 4/24/16)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 5/1/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/22/16)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, listed 4/16/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (2 jobs, Dayside & Spec. Proj., listing modified 5/15/16)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, listing revised 5/27/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (AM EP, listed 4/2/16)
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM EP, listed 4/10/16)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 4/2/16)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (relisted 5/1/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 5/8/16)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 5/22/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 5/22/16)
WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 5/22/16)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/8/16)
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 4/24/16)

Names in the News:

KGUN-TV in Tucson has promoted ALAN PABLIK to be executive producer of Good Morning Tucson. He had been the 5:00 producer there.

KATE SINGH joins KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs as EP. She’s previously worked in Denver.

And JASON POPE moves within Quincy to become the EP for KTTC-TV in Rochester, MN. He’d been the 5:00 producer for the company’s KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA.

And how can you work comedian MARTY ALLEN, TV host/columnist ROBIN LEACH, and a former Las Vegas news director into one story? Click here for the answer.

General Manager News:

MERRY EWING moves east but stays in Indiana as she becomes the new General Manager of Quincy operation WPTA/WISE-TV. She’s spent the last year…and a few months…as GM of Quincy’s WSJV-TV in South Bend/Elkhart, IN.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 5, 2016:

KRIV-TV 4261 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
KPNX-TV 200 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl, Phoenix, AZ 85040 **
WXYZ-TV 20777 West 10 Mile Road Southfield, MI 48037
KXTV 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
WISH-TV 1950 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46202
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Ave. Austin, TX 78757
WDBJ-TV 2807 Hershberger Road Roanoke, VA 24017
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604 (see ad above!)
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville, AL 35801
KFVS-TV 310 Broadway Cape Girardeau MO 63701
WCIA-TV 509 S Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WVNY/WFFF 298 Mountain View Dr. Colchester, VT 05446
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
KBOI-TV 140 N 16th St, Boise, ID 83702
WWTV/WWUP 22320 130th Ave, Tustin, MI 49688
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KIII-TV 5002 S Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KMID/KPEJ-TV 3200 LaForce Boulevard Midland, TX 79711
KAUZ/KSWO-TV 3601 Seymour Highway Wichita Falls, TX 76309
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St, Dothan, AL 36303
KYOU-TV 820 W Second St. Ottumwa IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

* Spanish language station

May 30, 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A news director change in a top ten market tops today’s UPDATE.

The changes come at Meredith’s WGCL-TV in Atlanta, where LARRY PERRET and Executive Producer LEESA DILLON are leaving.

Volpicella

Former KVUE-TV (Austin, TX) News Director FRANK VOLPICELLA will join the station in mid July as news director. Frank spent the last 15 years as news director for KVUE before taking the Tegna buyout in April. He’s worked in Atlanta before, has been an ND in Huntsville and Lexington, and has worked in Tampa and Jacksonville, FL.

Here’s the note from General Manager MARK PIMENTEL (himself a former news director) announcing and explaining the changes.

UPDATED 5/31/16 @ 6:20 PM: The local newspaper is now reporting the change with some background on the station’s ND history.

Perret

Larry’s been the ND for this CBS affiliate since the fall of 2014. He’s worked in a number of markets over the years, and also spent time with Magid as a consultant. His Linkedin page tells the full story.

One other note. Our initial report in our most recent newsletter on JENNIFER HARDY‘s move to WWSB-TV in Sarasota from WAAY-TV in Huntsville. contained inaccuracies as to the stations’ ownership. The stations are in the process of being sold by current owner Calkins Media to several buyers, one of which is Raycom.

We’ll have all the latest news in our full newsletter later this week.

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Greetings:

Alexander Rossi (taken 5/27/16 at Carb Day)

Our delayed by the Memorial Day holiday edition of the newsletter pays tribute above to this year’s Indianapolis 500 winner, Californian ALEXANDER ROSSI.

Fun 500 fact:

On Sunday, one in every 1,000 people in America was at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

On to our normal business.

TWO News Director openings to tell you about, with ONE open job filled by a veteran news director. These moves increase our list of open ND jobs to 26.

TWO of those jobs are among our FOUR Paid Help Wanted Ads this week.

We have an obituary for a long-ago RTDNA treasurer, a handful of news managers on the move, and one Indy 500 social note with a photo.

New News Directors Openings:

Parra

KXTV, Sacramento, CA…we told you earlier this week that JEROME PARRA is leaving this Tegna owned ABC affiliate after four years as ND. Here’s the note he sent to his staff announcing his departure. Jerome began his career at KXTV as a writer and assignment editor in 1990. He later went on to become the ND at a station in Flagstaff, and worked on the assignment desk at a Phoenix station before becoming the Assistant News Director at sister Tegna station KPNX-TV in Phoenix.

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…JENNIFER HARDY is leaving one Calkins Media station for another. You’ll read more below about her move to WWSB-TV in Sarasota, FL. Jennifer spent just over two years as ND for this ABC affiliate.

And please note the paid help wanted ad below for the open news director job at WHEC-TV in Rochester, NY.

Newly Named News Directors:

Hardy

WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL…as noted above, JENNIFER HARDY will be the new news director for this Calkins Media owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the note from the GM. She’s coming from the ND job at sister station WAAY-TV in Huntsville, also an ABC affiliate. Jennifer was ND there for two years, has been an ND in Reno, and has worked in Las Vegas (two stations), Tucson, Spokane, Memphis, Tulsa, and for another Reno station. At WWSB, she replaces STEVE SABATO who’s been named Director of Development and Community Engagement at the station after four years as ND. One note: Calkins has announced it’s selling its three stations: the deal awaits FCC approval.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY:

To view the detailed posting and apply, click here:

No phone calls please. EOE

Talent Acquisition Lead, E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH:

Are you passionate about TV and digital news media and enjoy recruiting great talent? The E. W. Scripps Company has a new role, Talent Acquisition Lead, to help us recruit top talent for our local television stations and manage a small team of talent acquisition partners. This position is located in Cincinnati, OH.

Responsibilities:

Management:

Oversee the day-to-day of a small team of TA partners
Work with the talent acquisition director on development opportunities for the team
Responsible for performance reviews

Talent acquisition partner:

provide full-cycle recruiting for key positions
advertise broadly to source qualified candidates
ensure each applicant’s progression through the selection process is documented in the applicant tracking system
communicate with managers, HRBPs and employees regularly to establish rapport, gauge morale, and source new candidate leads and employee referrals
deliver metrics related to key performance indicators and interpret the story they tell
attend industry conferences to recruit key talent and network
perform other special projects as assigned

The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, radio and digital media brands. Scripps is one of the nation’s largest independent TV station owners, with 33 television stations in 24 markets and 34 radio stations in eight markets. Scripps also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

If interested, please apply via scripps.com (#11495) or connect with Karen Hite at Karen.hite@scripps.com

News Director, WWTV/WWUP/WFQX-TV, Cadillac/Traverse City, MI:

Northern Michigan’s News Leader is currently looking for a dynamic person to oversee our newsroom.

9 & 10 News and Fox 32 produce nearly 8 hours of television news a day and are committed to success on all broadcasting platforms.

We are looking for a News Director who has thrived in a leadership role, knows the importance of good story telling and has at least 6 years of television news experience.

If you are a creative mind and interested in living and working in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, email your resume to General Manager Kevin Dunaway: kevindunaway@9and10news.com

Executive Producer, WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL:

WEEK is seeking a take charge, second in command leader to help guide us to a future that goes well beyond traditional broadcast news. WEEK is a hugely dominant news organization just months away from major advancements.

This senior management position, functioning as the literal hub of our news organization, will serve as the primary editorial decision maker for our TV, web, mobile and social networking platforms.

With the intention of being a continuous local news source with an ever immediate deadline mentality, this position will directly oversee and be in nearly constant contact with all involved in our news gathering processes, will weigh the full editorial possibility of every story, and make immediate decisions on how it will be disseminated on the appropriate platforms.

Looking for better choices? You can ride a dinosaur to extinction or join us on the thrill ride of evolution in progress.

For your chance at a ticket, send your cover letter, resume and sample of your latest work to: Greg Schieferstein, WEEK-TV News Director gregs@week.com

WEEK is part of Quincy Media, a family owned company operating 19 stations doing news. Throughout Quincy, positions are available for candidates with all levels of experience and the advancement you are seeking. Quincy is an equal opportunities employer. Visit www.careersatquincy.com for links to all stations and opportunities.

Quincy and its subsidiaries do not discriminate in the sale of advertising in any medium (broadcast, print, or interactive), and will accept no advertising which is placed with an intent to discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.