Rick Gevers & Associates

August 5, 2012

Greetings:

As always, it was nice to see some of you at this week’s Unity Conference in Las Vegas. (More on that at the end of this section of the newsletter.)

It’s been a busy week. There are FOUR new ND openings, and THREE new NDs to report.

By my count, that leaves 35 ND openings.

That revised count of openings includes WTLV/WJXX-TV in Jacksonville, FL. We reported to you a few weeks ago that KATHY WILLIAMS had been named ND there. I’ve since learned that she’s the interim ND for that Gannett-owned duopoly, so we’ve relisted that as an open position in our conplete list below.

We have THREE paid ads this week, a new one for an Assistant ND job in Portland, OR, and repeats of a blind box ND ad and another for an EP in Orlando.

Names in the News features the retirement of a longtime GM, a decision in an age-discrimination suit against a New York City station, and details on a former ND who’s headed to academia. And our Situations Wanted segment features a former ND who’s anxious to return to a newsroom.

Finally, this week’s Unity Conference saw a dramatic decrease in attendance, compared to the 2008 gathering in Chicago. More on the numbers and the reasons behind them in this article from the New York Times.

New News Director Openings:

WRC-TV, Washington, DC…CAMILLE EDWARDS has left this NBC o-and-o to become ND at WABC-TV in New York. More on that below.

WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI…LORI WALDON stays within Hearst as she is being promoted to ND for KCRA-TV in Sacramento. More on that below, too.

WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC…MARTY VAN HOUSEN, who’s been the ND for this Media General CBS affiliate since October, 2009, has been named Assistant ND for WGCL-TV in Atlanta. Marty’s been an ND in St. Louis and Jacksonville, FL, and previously worked at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.

WETM-TV, Elmira, NY…SCOTT NICHOLS is leaving this Newport TV owned NBC affiliate. He’s been named ND for WCTI-TV in Greenville/New Bern, NC. And you can find more on that below, as well.

Newly Named News Directors:

Edwards

WABC-TV, New York, NY…in one of two moves we reported on Monday, CAMILLE EDWARDS has been named ND here. She’s been the ND for NBC’s WRC-TV in Washington for the last four years, and was ND for NBC’s WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Camille is no stranger to ABC…she was the Assistant ND at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia when current WABC GM DAVE DAVIS was the GM. And she also worked as an EP for WLS-TV in Chicago, and in Baltimore and Toledo. Camille replaces KENNY PLOTNIK who left the station in June after 10 years as ND and 25 with ABC.

Waldon

KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA…LORI WALDON returns to Sacramento as ND for this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. As noted above Lori is already works for Hearst as the ND for WISN-TV in Milwaukee, a job she’s held for almost six years. Before Milwaukee she worked in Sacramento as the Assistant ND for KOVR/KMAX-TV. Lori also worked at KPIX-TV in nearby San Francisco for 13 years. She’s also worked in Charlotte, Mobile, and Peoria. Her predecessor at KCRA, ANZIO WILLIAMS, left the station in June after five years as ND. He’s now ND for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.

WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC…as mentioned above, SCOTT NICHOLS is joining this Bonten Media owned ABC affiliate as its next ND. Scott is currently ND for WEMT-TV in Elmira, NY. He’s also worked in Binghamton, NY. He replaces SHANE MORELAND who left the station last month to take a GM job in Virginia.

Help Wanted Ads: 

Assistant News Director, KATU-TV, Portland, OR:

KATU-TV, the ABC affiliate in Portland, Oregon seeks an Assistant News Director. We are looking for an experienced newsroom leader to oversee the day-to-day news operation and integrate our brand and strategic plans into each newscast we produce.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in local television news production and a vision for how to incorporate emerging social media into our daily coverage. The Assistant News Director will help create a unified standard for the editorial content, presentation and creative execution of KATU newscasts.

Duties include, but are not limited to: working with reporters and photographers to engage our viewers in quality storytelling; providing showcasing feedback to producers and writers; assisting in executing coverage plans for Breaking Weather Alerts and special news events; and assisting the News Director in recruiting, interviewing and training new employees.

Send your material to News Director Tiffani Lupenski via email: tlupenski@katu.com or to:
Tiffani Lupenski
News Director
KATU-TV
2153 NE Sandy Boulevard
Portland OR 97232

Blind Box News Director Ad, Eastern Small Market:

Growing company seeks dynamic news director to oversee Eastern U.S. small market operation. If you are an assistant news director or executive producer ready to step up and lead, this is your opportunity.

Please provide specific examples of creative approaches to executing a strategy for success.

The successful candidate must be a dynamic manager who understands and stresses content relevance to viewers. This position requires exceptional skill in managing and helping staff members grow professionally.

Please send printed and video materials to: tvnews1000@gmail.com

Executive Producer, WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL:

WKMG in Orlando is searching for its next great leader!

We are currently seeking an innovative Executive Producer to oversee the planning and execution of Local 6 Newscasts. Applicants must be able to drive content on television, on the web, and on social media outlets. 6 Years of news producing experience is required.

Prior management experience is preferable.

Please send resumes to News Director Steve Hyvonen at shyvonen@wkmg.com

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

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 7/13/12)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/10/12)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/12)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted 6/1/12)
KVLY/KXJB-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted 7/7/12)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (new listing this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 7/7/12)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Nightisde EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KMSP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (AM EP, listed 7/28/12)
WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL (listed 7/28/12, see ad above!)
KPTV/KPDX-TV, Portland, OR (Nightside EP, listed 7/28/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Morning EP, listed 6/10/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Special Projects EP, listed 7/13/12)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 7/7/12)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 7/20/12)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, listed 6/29/12)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 6/24/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (relisted 7/7/12)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (listed 7/13/12)
WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY (Dayside EP, listing revised 7/28/12)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 6/1/12)
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau, MO (listed 6/29/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 6/24/12)

Situations Wanted:

Our Situations Wanted listings are free. If you’d like to state your case to a pretty well targeted audience, email me an item (max 100 words). You may include one link to a website, and an email address, and an optional photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

MICHAEL O’NEIL:

O'Neil

Middle-aged white male looking for work as a News Director, Assistant News Director, Executive Producer or Producer. (Sounds like a personal ad that would get rejected by my soul-mate.)

Emmy Award winning News Director now serving tables. While my tips are great, my passion lies in local television news. Grab your attention a little more?

Award winning broadcast journalist with a 25 year history of ratings growth, building winning teams, passionate about great storytelling, maintaining budgets along with expertise in writing, social media and web content. I’ll stick with that one.

Those don’t grab you? Check out my mug, who wouldn’t hire him (darn, once again sounding like a personal ad, but that is my real picture)?

Contact me, Michael O’Neil, at mocapdad@gmail.com, because 100 words don’t do me justice.

(Full disclosure: Michael worked for me in Grand Rapids.)

Names in the News:

A federal jury in New York City ruled against former WPIX-TV News Director KAREN SCOTT in her age discrimination suit against the station. She sought $4.5 million in damages.

Longtime General Manager JIM CLAYTON announced his retirement this week, effectdive at the end of 2012. He’s been GM for KOMO-TV in Seattle since July, 2006. He earlier was a GM for WNYW/WWOR-TV in New York, WJBK-TV in Detroit, and WLWT-TV in Cincinnati.

Kraycik

Speaking of KOMO-TV, Assistant News Director STEVE KRAYCIK is leaving that ABC affiliate to become Director of Student Television & Online Services and Senior Lecturer at Penn State University.  Steve’s a Pennsylvania native and tells me he’s delighted to be returning home.  He’s been at KOMO for two years, was ND for KCPQ-TV in Seattle for four years before that, and spent six years as ND for KTXL-TV in Sacramento, CA.

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, August 5, 2012.

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

WTXF-TV             330 Market St. Philadelphia PA 19106
KDAF-TV              8001 Carpenter Freeway Dallas TX 75247
WRC-TV              4001 Nebraska Ave. NW Washington DC 20016
WFTS-TV              4045 N. Himes Ave. Tampa FL 33607
KNXV-TV              515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WKYC-TV              1333 Lakeside Ave. Cleveland OH 44114
WFTV                    490 E. South St. Orlando FL 32801
XETV                      8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WDJT-TV             809 S. 60th St. Milwaukee WI 53214
WISN-TV           759 N. 19th St. Milwaukee WI 53233
WPBF-TV             3970 RCA Blvd., #7007 Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
KSNV-TV             1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WPMT-TV           2005 S. Queen Street York PA 17403
KEYE-TV              10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WTLV/WJXX 1070 E. Adams St. Jacksonville FL 32202 (relisted this week)
WKBW-TV           7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV             3701 South Peoria Ave. Tulsa OK 74105
KOTV                    302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
KSNW-TV           833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV          2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219
WFRV-TV           1181 E. Mason St. Green Bay WI 54301
KRBK-TV            (apply to corporate) Springfield, MO
WEHT/WTVW  800 Marywood Dr. Henderson KY 42420
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2809 Ajax Ave. #200 Rogers AR 72758
KHGI-TV            13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KBOI-TV            140 N. 16th St. Boise ID 83702
KNOE-TV           1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
WVNS-TV          141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843
WJHG-TV          8195 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach FL 32407
WETM-TV      101 E. Water St. Elmira NY 14901
KKCO-TV           2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KJCT-TV            8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV           120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV         2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001

July 29, 2012

July 30, 2012 UPDATE:

There were TWO new news directors named today in major markets, one that’s been widely reported and one that hasn’t.

Edwards

CAMILLE EDWARDS, currently ND for WRC-TV, the NBC o-and-o in Washington, is moving to WABC-TV in New York as VP/News. It’s a return to an ABC o-and-o for Camille, who’s previously worked at WLS-TV in Chicago (Executive Producer) and WPVI-TV in Philadelphia (Assistant ND.)

She’s been ND for WRC since 2008 and before that was ND for NBC’s WMAQ-TV in Chicago. She’s also worked for WBBM-TV in Chicago, as well as in Baltimore and Toledo. At WABC, she replaces KENNY PLOTNIK who left the station in June after 10 years as ND and 25 with ABC.

Waldon

Today’s second change finds LORI WALDON returning to California as News Director for Hearst’s KCRA-TV in Sacramento. Lori’s been ND for sister-station WISN-TV in Milwaukee since 2006. Before that, she served briefly as the Assistant ND for KOVR-TV in Sacramento. Lori worked at KPIX-TV in San Francisco in a variety of roles for 13 years, and has also worked in Charlotte, Mobile, and Peoria. She replaces ANZIO WILLIAMS who left in June after five years as ND for KCRA. He’s now ND for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.

I’ll be at Unity this week, and hope to see many of you there. That may delay production of our regular weekly newsletter.

Greetings:

We’re a little delayed this week by a busy weekend of racing here in Indianapolis, including Sunday’s Brickyard 400 NASCAR race. And we may be off schedule next week due to my attendance at the Unity Conference in Las Vegas. I hope to see many of you there.

We have just ONE new ND opening this week, but it’s at a network o-and-o in a top five market. And there are THREE new NDs to reveal to you.

By my count, that leaves 33 ND openings.

We have TWO new ads this week: one is a blind box ad for a news director’s job, whilethe other is for an EP opening in sunny Florida. And we’re re-running FIVE ads from last week, including another blind box ad, and ads for THREE open ND jobs and an EP position.

Unfortunate news from Columbus, OH, this week, where the Ohio News Network announced it will close at the end of August. Owner Dispatch Printing Company (which owns WBNS-TV in Columbus) blamed changing consumer habits for the decision. The statewide cable news operation began in 1996 and served 1.7 million cable home. About three dozen people are losing their jobs.

Also, to clarify one item from last week: I reported that SUZANNE BLACK had ‘apparently’ left KEYE-TV in Austin, TX. Suzanne advises that she resigned from her job there, and that her last day was Thursday, July 26. Also, that CBS affiliate is now owned by Sinclair.

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

New News Director Openings:

Schwaid

WTXF-TV, Philadelphia, PA…as you know from our UPDATES earlier this week, STEVE SCHWAID is leaving this FOX o-and-o to become VP of Digital Strategy for consulting firm CJ&N. Steve was ND here for about a year. Before that he’d been VP of Digital Strategy for Meredith Broadcast, and ND for the company’s Atlanta station (WGCL-TV, a CBS affiliate). Much of his career was with NBC in a variety of roles. His replacement at WTXF will be the fifth ND in five years.

Newly Named News Directors:

Lupenski

KATU-TV, Portland, OR…TIFFANI LUPENSKI has been promoted to news director for this Fisher Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate, replacing DON PRATT. (More on Don in a moment.) Tiffani’s been the Assistant ND here for about the last year and a half. Before that she was an EP in Seattle and Denver, and also worked for CNN. Tiffani spent the early part of her career as a reporter and anchor in Birmingham and Lake Charles, LA.

Pratt

As I mentioned, she succeeds DON PRATT who’s being promoted to General Manager of another Fisher station, KBOI-TV in Boise, ID. Don’s been the ND in Portland for the last six years. He came to Portland from Boston, where he’d been the Assistant ND for WHDH-TV. Don’s a former News Director for WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC, and spent some time as an EP for KGO-TV in San Francisco.

Jackson

KGAN/KFXA-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA…ROD JACKSON has been promoted to ND here. He’s been the interim ND since April and joined the station as Managing Editor in January, 2011. Rod spent 13 years as a producer for ABC’s NewsOne and was the Managing Editor for KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. He began his career as a reporter. At KGAN, he replaces SCOTT PICKEN who left this Sinclair owned CBS/FOX duopoly in April.

Grogan

NBC Montana, Missoula, MT…CHRIS GROGAN returns to Montana as ND for this Bonten Media owned operation. Chris will oversee NBC affiliates in Missoula/Kalispell (KECI-TV, where he’ll be based) and Butte/Bozeman (KTVM-TV). He had been ND for KFBB-TV in Great Falls, MT from 2008-2010. Most recently he’d been ND for KJCT-TV in Grand Junction, CO. He replaces SEAN DUNSTER who left the station last month to return to Ohio as News Technology Manager for WHIO-TV in Dayton. Sean was ND there for almost a year.

Help Wanted Ads: 

Blind Box News Director Ad, Eastern Small Market:

Growing company seeks dynamic news director to oversee Eastern U.S. small market operation. If you are an assistant news director or executive producer ready to step up and lead, this is your opportunity.

Please provide specific examples of creative approaches to executing a strategy for success.

The successful candidate must be a dynamic manager who understands and stresses content relevance to viewers. This position requires exceptional skill in managing and helping staff members grow professionally.

Please send printed and video materials to: tvnews1000@gmail.com

Executive Producer, WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL:

WKMG in Orlando is searching for its next great leader!

We are currently seeking an innovative Executive Producer to oversee the planning and execution of Local 6 Newscasts. Applicants must be able to drive content on television, on the web, and on social media outlets. 6 Years of news producing experience is required.

Prior management experience is preferable.

Please send resumes to News Director Steve Hyvonen at shyvonen@wkmg.com

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

Blind Box News Director Ad, Top Ten Market:

Top 10 DMA news station seeks an experienced News Director from top 20 DMA.

The News Director (ND) will oversee the planning and direction of all newscasts and supervise executive producers, producers, reporters and photographers. ND will be instrumental in building and executing the station’s strategic plan. Only candidates with top 20 DMA experience as an assistant news director or news director will be considered.

Forward resume and salary requirements to: resume.tvnews@gmail.com

News Director, KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS:

Sunflower Broadcasting, Inc., is looking for a News Director to lead our news team.

Sunflower consists of 16 channels of distribution including: KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV, bureau stations KBSD-TV, KBSH-TV, KBSL-TV, a JSA with Spanish Station KDCU, a 24-hour digital and mobile weather channel and two dynamic websites (one of which focuses on high school sports) and apps for news, sports and weather. The CBS affiliate KWCH leads the market in ratings and produces more than 45 hours of local news each week.

The candidate we are looking for understands responsible journalism and can lead a team to produce exciting newscasts that both inform and educate viewers. A passion to win weather and sports is a must. Knowledge of digital media and implementation of social media strategies should be demonstrated in current position.

We are HD, all field crews have laptops and smart phones. We have the tools and a state-of-the art newsroom to get the job done.

The perfect candidate brings News Director experience and an understanding of how to motivate and lead a team. Do your homework before you apply and you’ll know why this is a great opportunity. Sunflower is owned by Schurz Communications and managed by Joan Barrett.

If you are ready to lead a winning team send your resume and references to:

Human Resources Manager
KWCH-TV
2815 E. 37th St. North
Wichita, KS 67219
FAX # (316) 831-6190;

e-mail: hr@kwch.com

KWCH-TV is an EOE. M/F/V/D. Drug screen and background check required. No phone calls please.

News Director, WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a forward thinking and aggressive journalist for the position of News Director at WFRV-TV, CBS affiliate, in Green Bay, WI.

The successful candidate will be a hands on news manager who has a proven track record for coaching and developing talent, solid journalism skills, an own the big news story and weather philosophy, and a passion for breaking news. Our coverage of the Green Bay Packers is a priority so a vision for unique coverage, storytelling and programming is a must.

To be considered you must have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a news manager and more than 10 years of experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.

Please send cover letter, resume, news philosophy and link or DVD to:

Jerry Walsh
Director of Local Content Development
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
1181 East Mason Street
Green Bay WI 54301

or via e-mail to: jwalsh@nexstar.tv

News Director, KJCT-TV, Grand Junction/Montrose, CO:

KJCT News 8, the ABC Affiliate for Grand Junction has an immediate opening for a hands-on News Director.

Our next News Director will have a record of proven leadership, the ability to manage and coach a young talented staff.

Our next News Director will have strong story instincts and production skills, on-air and online, including the successful integration of internet and social media into our day-to-day ‘multiple screen’ strategy.

The successful candidate will need to be able to “pitch in”, teach, build a team andhave the ability to maximize the use of personnel.

Our next News Director willknow how to maximize our strengths and exploit competitive opportunities. Working closely with senior KJCT station management, the next News Director will achieve long-term budgetary and strategic goals.

Please send cover letter and resume to:

KJCT News 8
Attention: Kristy Santiago
8 Foresight Circle
Grand Junction, CO 81505

Or email resume to: kristy.santiago@kjct8.com

Executive Producer, KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM:

KRQE News 13, a CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, NM is looking for a dynamic and energetic journalist to be our next Executive News Producer. Our #1 newsroom in the market needs someone who can demonstrate the ability to mentor, train & supervise a team of professional newscast producers.

You must be an exceptional news writer for on-air & web, great communicator, excellent news judgment, react quickly to breaking news and be familiar with Avid and ENPS Systems to do your job successfully.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two years experience as a news manager or prior experience as a 10pm producer in a top 30 market.

If you’re a natural born leader who can turn enterprise stories that no one else thinks about, this job is for you.

To apply, rush your resume & cover letter to erika.gonzales@krqe.com

KRQE-TV, owned & operated by LIN Television Corp., is an equal opportunity employer.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/10/12)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/12)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted 6/1/12)
KVLY/KXJB-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted 7/7/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 7/7/12)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Nightisde EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KMSP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (AM EP, new listing this week)
WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KPTV/KPDX-TV, Portland, OR (Nightside EP, new listing this week)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (PM EP, listed 6/24/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Morning EP, listed 6/10/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Special Projects EP, listed 7/13/12, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 7/7/12)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 7/20/12, see ad above!)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, listed 6/29/12)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 6/24/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/24/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (relisted 7/7/12)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (listed 7/13/12)
WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY (Dayside EP, listing revised this week)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 6/1/12)
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau, MO (listed 6/29/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 6/24/12)

Obituary:

EDDIE BARKER, who may have been the first to report the death of President John Kennedy and then booted CBS’s DAN RATHER from his newsroom in a dispute over a sidebar story to the President’s assassination, died last Monday. He was 84. Eddie was the ND at KDFW-TV in Dallas and later served for many years as the exhibits chairman for the RTNDA convention. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Situations Wanted:

We had no takers this week on our free offer for a Situations Wanted posting. If you’d like to state your case to a pretty well targeted audience, email me an item (max 100 words). You may include one link to a website, an email address, and an optional photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week.

Names in the News:

After 30 years at the cable news operation, JIM WALTON is stepping down as President of CNN Worldwide at the end of the year. Walton told his staff CNN needed ‘new thinking’.

Former WPIX-TV News Director KAREN SCOTT‘s age discrimination suit against the company went to trial this week. She’s seeking $4.5 million dollars claiming she was fired when she turned 60.

HAYLEY HERST is joining KTTV-TV in Los Angeles as Morning EP. She currently holds the same job at sister Fox o-and-o KMSP/WFTC in Minneapolis. KTTV will be Hayley’s third FOX owned station: she previously worked for KDVR-TV in Denver. She’s a former ND in Reno and also worked in Las Vegas, her hometown.

Speaking of KDVR-TV, MAUREEN CAPASSO will join the station as its new night EP next month. She’s currently an EP for WHDH-TV in Boston, where she worked with current KDVR ND ED KOSOWSKI and Assistant ND DANA DIETERLE. She’s also worked in Miami.

ANDREW GILLFILLAN returns to Grand Rapids, MI, as Assistant ND for WXMI-TV, the Tribune-owned FOX affiliate. He’s been the Morning EP for WDIV-TV in Detroit for the past nine months. Earlier in his career he spent six years in a variety of roles for WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids. He’s also worked in Indianapolis and Lansing, MI.

WTVF-TV in Nashville has promoted 10:00 PM producer TOMMY CROUSE to Morning EP. He’s been at this CBS affiliate for three years. Tommy’s also worked in Jacksonville, FL, and Columbia, SC.

Longtime Springfield, MO, newsman BRAD BELOTE is leaving Springfield…and TV…for a job in corporate communications at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN. Brad spent the last 2 1/2 years running the digital side of things for KYTV and KSPR-TV in Springfield. He earlier was ND for KSPR for three years. He spent 14 years in Springfield TV and also worked in Columbia, MO.

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, July 28, 2012.

WABC-TV     7 Lincoln Square New York, NY 10023
WTXF-TV 330 Market St. Philadelphia PA 19106
KDAF-TV   8001 Carpenter Freeway Dallas TX 75247
WFTS-TV     4045 N. Himes Ave. Tampa FL 33607
KNXV-TV     515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WKYC-TV    1333 Lakeside Ave. Cleveland OH 44114
WFTV            490 E. South St. Orlando FL 32801
KCRA-TV     3 Television Circle Sacramento CA 95814
XETV             8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WDJT-TV    809 S. 60th St. Milwaukee WI 53214
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd., #7007 Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
KSNV-TV     1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WPMT-TV    2005 S. Queen Street York PA 17403
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WKBW-TV  7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV     3701 South Peoria Ave. Tulsa OK 74105
KOTV           302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
KSNW-TV    833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV   2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219 (see ad above!)
WFRV-TV   1181 E. Mason St. Green Bay WI 54301 (see ad above!)
KRBK-TV (apply to corporate) Springfield, MO
WCTI-TV      225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28561
WEHT/WTVW 800 Marywood Dr. Henderson KY 42420
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2809 Ajax Ave. #200 Rogers AR 72758
KHGI-TV     13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KBOI-TV     140 N. 16th St. Boise ID 83702
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
WVNS-TV   141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843
WJHG-TV   8195 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach FL 32407
KKCO-TV    2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KJCT-TV      8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction CO 81505 (see ad above!)
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV   2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001

July 20, 2012

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 UPDATE:

Well, THAT didn’t take long.

Schwaid

Just one day after he announced he was leaving Philadelphia’s WTXF-TV, it was announced today that veteran news director STEVE SCHWAID is joining consulting firm CRAWFORD JOHNSON & NORTHCOTT (CJ&N) as its VP of Digital Strategy. He’ll begin working for CJ&N on August 1.

More on this story in our regular newsletter later this week (it may be delayed by a busy weekend of racing here in Indianapolis.)

There are two other stories of note: KATU-TV (Portland, OR) News Director DON PRATT is being promoted to GM for sister Fisher station KBOI-TV in Boise, ID. But you can put your resume down…Assistant ND TIFFANI LUPENSKI will replace Don as ND.

Finally, long-ago Dallas News Director EDDIE BARKER died yesterday. Many of you may remember Eddie as the longtime Exhibit Chairman of the RTNDA convention. A few of you may know he was a reporter who may have been the first newsman to report that President Kennedy had died after being shot in Dallas in 1963. More details (and an interesting YouTube link) are in this article from the Dallas Morning News.

As always, we’ll have all the week’s changes in our regular report later this week.

Monday, July 23, 2012 UPDATE:

Schwaid

Another news director shakeup in the Philadelphia market, where STEVE SCHWAID is leaving Fox’s WTXF-TV. Steve sent an email to his staff this morning promising to explain to them later today “my decision not to renew my contract.”

Steve’s been the VP/ND there for about a year. Before that he’d been VP of Digital Content and News for Meredith Broadcasting, and ND for that company’s Atlanta CBS affiliate, WGCL-TV. He spent much of career with NBC, including an earlier run as ND for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia. At NBC, he was VP of News and Programming for the NBC owned stations, oversaw the transition team when NBC bought KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco, and was ND for WVIT-TV in Hartford. He’s also been an ND in Tampa and Portland, ME, and worked in Dayton and Charlotte.

His departure comes one week after ANZIO WILLIAMS began as ND for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, replacing WCAU veteran CHRIS BLACKMAN.

As always, we’ll have all the week’s changes in our regular report later this week.

**** ***** ****
Greetings:

A flurry of activity late in the week produced a lot of news for this week’s newsletter. We have THREE new ND’s to tell you about, two just announced this afternoon. And we have TWO new openings, one created by an ND being promoted to a GM job within Hearst. That means, by our count, 34 stations are still looking for a new ND.

FOUR of those open ND jobs are advertised below, as well as a blind box ad for a large market station. And we have THREE ads for EP positions around the country.

Next Friday (July 27th) is the deadline for applications for the Kneeland Project. Not familiar with it?  You should be, and you can learn more below.

We have the obituary for a long-ago Arkansas News Director best known for his investigative reporting, details on a reorganization involving NBC News, a number of news managers on the move, and we’ll tell you how one ND achieved every golfer’s dream…a hole in one.

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

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

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

New News Director Openings:

Grimes

WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…congratulations to KYLE GRIMES who is being promoted to President/GM of sister Hearst stations WPTZ/WNNE in Plattsburgh, NY-Burlington, VT. Kyle spent three years as ND there before taking the WPBF job in 2008. He’s also worked for Hearst at KCRA-TV in Sacramento and KSBW-TV in Salinas/Monterey, CA.

Sands

He’ll replace another former ND, PAUL SANDS, who is retiring at the end of the year. Paul spent many years in newsrooms, as VP/News for Pulitzer Broadcasting, as an ND in San Diego and Portland, OR, and as an EP for KTVI-TV in St. Louis, where I first got to know him. He also worked as a producer in Seattle. Old friends can wish Paul well in his retirement with an email to: psands@hearst.com

KEYE-TV, Austin, TX…SUZANNE BLACK has resigned as ND of this Sinclair-owned CBS affiliate and will leave the station on July 26. She’s been ND there since early 2007, and had been the Assistant ND there for 18 months before being promoted.  She’s a former ND in San Diego and has also worked in Little Rock and Fayetteville, AR.  (Item updated  with additional information and correction as to station owner on 7/21/12)

Newly Named News Directors:

Fabac

WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH…MICHAEL FABAC was named ND here late this afternoon. Michael most recently spent more than five years as news director for KXAN-TV in Austin, TX. He was the first ND for KLRT-TV in Little Rock, AR, and was also an ND for WNEM-TV in Flint/Saginaw, MI, and also worked in Detroit, St. Louis, and Colorado Springs. At WCMH, Michael replaces IKE WALKER who left this Media General owned NBC affiliate after four years at the station and three running the newsroom.

Radske

WKOW-TV, Madison, WI…JOE RADSKE has been promoted to news director for this Quincy owned ABC affiliate. Joe is currently the Assistant News Director there: he joined the station two years ago as Content Manager. He’s a former ND for KPTM-TV in Omaha, worked earlier in his career in Madison, and has also worked in Milwaukee and Minneapolis. He replaces PERRY BOXX who left the station in June to take an ND job closer to family in Columbus, GA. Perry was ND here for four years.

Dozar

KNPN-TV, St. Joseph, MO…DAN DOZAR has been named ND for this News Press & Gazette owned FOX affiliate. Dan’s been a producer for this recently launched newscast, and previous worked for sister-station KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, CO. He’s also worked in Topeka and for two stations in Kansas City.  KNPN is a low power HD station that broadcasts on Channel 26.

Help Wanted Ads: 

Blind Box News Director Ad, Top Ten Market:

Top 10 DMA news station seeks an experienced News Director from top 20 DMA.

The News Director (ND) will oversee the planning and direction of all newscasts and supervise executive producers, producers, reporters and photographers. ND will be instrumental in building and executing the station’s strategic plan. Only candidates with top 20 DMA experience as an assistant news director or news director will be considered.

Forward resume and salary requirements to: resume.tvnews@gmail.com

News Director, KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS:

Sunflower Broadcasting, Inc., is looking for a News Director to lead our news team.

Sunflower consists of 16 channels of distribution including: KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV, bureau stations KBSD-TV, KBSH-TV, KBSL-TV, a JSA with Spanish Station KDCU, a 24-hour digital and mobile weather channel and two dynamic websites (one of which focuses on high school sports) and apps for news, sports and weather. The CBS affiliate KWCH leads the market in ratings and produces more than 45 hours of local news each week.

The candidate we are looking for understands responsible journalism and can lead a team to produce exciting newscasts that both inform and educate viewers. A passion to win weather and sports is a must. Knowledge of digital media and implementation of social media strategies should be demonstrated in current position.

We are HD, all field crews have laptops and smart phones. We have the tools and a state-of-the art newsroom to get the job done.

The perfect candidate brings News Director experience and an understanding of how to motivate and lead a team. Do your homework before you apply and you’ll know why this is a great opportunity. Sunflower is owned by Schurz Communications and managed by Joan Barrett.

If you are ready to lead a winning team send your resume and references to:

Human Resources Manager
KWCH-TV
2815 E. 37th St. North
Wichita, KS 67219
FAX # (316) 831-6190;

e-mail: hr@kwch.com

KWCH-TV is an EOE. M/F/V/D. Drug screen and background check required. No phone calls please.

News Director, WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a forward thinking and aggressive journalist for the position of News Director at WFRV-TV, CBS affiliate, in Green Bay, WI.

The successful candidate will be a hands on news manager who has a proven track record for coaching and developing talent, solid journalism skills, an own the big news story and weather philosophy, and a passion for breaking news. Our coverage of the Green Bay Packers is a priority so a vision for unique coverage, storytelling and programming is a must.

To be considered you must have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a news manager and more than 10 years of experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.

Please send cover letter, resume, news philosophy and link or DVD to:

Jerry Walsh
Director of Local Content Development
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
1181 East Mason Street
Green Bay WI 54301

or via e-mail to: jwalsh@nexstar.tv

News Director, KJCT-TV, Grand Junction/Montrose, CO:

KJCT News 8, the ABC Affiliate for Grand Junction has an immediate opening for a hands-on News Director.

Our next News Director will have a record of proven leadership, the ability to manage and coach a young talented staff.

Our next News Director will have strong story instincts and production skills, on-air and online, including the successful integration of internet and social media into our day-to-day ‘multiple screen’ strategy.

The successful candidate will need to be able to “pitch in”, teach, build a team andhave the ability to maximize the use of personnel.

Our next News Director willknow how to maximize our strengths and exploit competitive opportunities. Working closely with senior KJCT station management, the next News Director will achieve long-term budgetary and strategic goals.

Please send cover letter and resume to:

KJCT News 8
Attention: Kristy Santiago
8 Foresight Circle
Grand Junction, CO 81505

Or email resume to: kristy.santiago@kjct8.com

Executive Producer, KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM:

KRQE News 13, a CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, NM is looking for a dynamic and energetic journalist to be our next Executive News Producer. Our #1 newsroom in the market needs someone who can demonstrate the ability to mentor, train & supervise a team of professional newscast producers.

You must be an exceptional news writer for on-air & web, great communicator, excellent news judgment, react quickly to breaking news and be familiar with Avid and ENPS Systems to do your job successfully.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two years experience as a news manager or prior experience as a 10pm producer in a top 30 market.

If you’re a natural born leader who can turn enterprise stories that no one else thinks about, this job is for you.

To apply, rush your resume & cover letter to erika.gonzales@krqe.com

KRQE-TV, owned & operated by LIN Television Corp., is an equal opportunity employer.

News Director, KDAF-TV, Dallas, TX:

Our non-traditional newsroom seeks a non-traditional manager to help us evolve our non-traditional news product in the nation’s 5th Market.

KDAF-TV, the Tribune, CW station in Dallas-Fort Worth, has an immediate opening for a News Director. The person hired will help us break old school TV rules as we pursue our non-traditional news audience while still maintaining a quality news product. We are looking for someone who leads by example and is equally comfortable producing for the web as they are producing for air.

Primary duties include direct oversight of all content – over the air and on-line, working with producers and reporters to create compelling content, and set the tone and direction for the newsroom.

If you have television news management experience and are able to adjust to today’s multi-platform environment, send your resume and salary requirements to hfloore@tribune.com or snail mail to:

HR Department
KDAF-TV
8001 John Carpenter Freeway
Dallas TX 75247

Equal Opportunity Employer

Executive Producer, Special Projects, KGTV, San Diego, CA:

Executive Producer-Special Projects, KGTV, San Diego, CA

KGTV, San Diego’s ABC Affiliate, is recruiting for an experienced Executive Producer – Investigative Unit. The Executive Producer is responsible for managing the content and delivery of investigative, consumer, health and other franchise stories while ensuring the station is competitive on all platforms.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Oversee all aspects of the special projects Unit including but not limited to multi-media journalists, producers, researchers, photojournalists and editors
• Supervise storylines, writing and editing of content related to investigations or special projects
• Coordinate 52-week strategy with emphasis on sweeps months for multiple platforms
• Use computer database to research statistics and facts
• Knowledge and demonstration of creativity, editorial judgment, journalistic ethics and libel laws
• Manage scheduling, overtime and expenses for the special projects unit
• Complete and deliver performance evaluations for direct reports
• Implement and have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations
• Identify and manage opportunities to repurpose and extend content to create synergy

Requirements: Must have the ability to meet deadlines and work with a wide range of personalities. At least three years of news line producing experience with a commercial news operation required. College degree required.

If interested, and you meet the requirements of this position, please apply online at: scripps.com/careers – requisition 5142

KGTV is an Equal Opportunity employer. All 10News employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Executive Producer, WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH:

13abc Action News in Toledo is accepting applications for an Executive Producer.

The successful candidate will work directly with our team of producers on matters of presentation, quality control and creativity and have a minimum of four years producing experience. If you are a line producer in a larger market looking for a management track opportunity with a news staff committed to excellence, this is a terrific opportunity.

No phone calls, please.

Send materials to:

Brian Trauring
Executive News Director
13abc
4247 Dorr St.
Toledo OH 43607

or email wtvg.hr@13abc.com

Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now.

Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is accepting applications until next Friday, July 27 for their October 3-6, 2012 session 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. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.

• What’s missing from your social media strategy?
• The world can be sloppy – leadership and ethics in a 24-7 socially networked world.
• What’s happening to our business – what’s ahead in the next three, five, ten years?
• Big J Millennials?
• Our viewers have changed. Now it’s our turn.
• How newsroom systems must evolve to meet the challenges of our business.

Selected news directors will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary, Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.

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

Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/10/12)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/12)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted 6/1/12)
KVLY/KXJB-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted 7/7/12)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 7/7/12)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Nightisde EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (PM EP, listed 6/24/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Morning EP, listed 6/10/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Special Projects EP, listed 7/13/12, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 7/7/12)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, listed 6/29/12)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 6/24/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/24/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (relisted 7/7/12)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (listed 7/13/12, see ad above!)
WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY (Dayside EP, listing revised this week)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 6/1/12)
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau, MO (listed 6/29/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 6/24/12)

Obituary:

JACK HILL, an investigative reporter, anchor, and news director for KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR, died July 12th at the age of 72. He won a Columbia DuPont for his reporting and later produced long form news specials that aired statewide.

Situations Wanted:

Our Situations Wanted listings are free. If you’d like to state your case to a pretty well targeted audience, email me an item (max 100 words). You may include one link to a website, and an email address, and an optional photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

ROBERTO SOTO:

Soto

Roberto Soto is an experienced major market media executive and the publisher of City Island Images. Through his daily online newspaper, he has brought about a demonstrable positive impact to the Internet. Soto’s management talents and multilingual communication skills have also helped him become the founding station manager of News 12, as well as APTN Bureau Chief in NYC. Besides holding advanced communications degrees, Soto enjoys excellent quantitative, technological skills, along with his ability to effectively interface with a range of individuals and groups from all races and cultures. Click here for more.

Names in the News:

A reorganization at NBC has created the NBCUniversal News Group, which will include NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC, The Weather Channel and NBC’s digital properties. PAT FILI-KRUSHEL, a former ABC and Time-Warner executive, will oversee the new unit.

AARON WISCHE is headed to KPRC-TV in Houston as EP of Special Projects. It’s a return to Houston for Aaron, who interned at KPRC and later served as a producer at KRIV-TV there. He most recently has been EP/Special Projects for KNXV-TV in Phoenix, and has also worked in Tampa, Washington, Dallas, Cleveland, and Tulsa.

Kobos

Congratulations to DON KOBOS, the Assistant News Director for KTRK-TV in Houston, who marks his 30th anniversary with the station this week. He first joined that ABC o-and-o as an investigative reporter, but has been in management there for more than 10 years.

One time news director LOWELL BRIGGS has been named VP of Creative Services for Fox’s WFTX-TV in Boston. He’s held the same job for WVIT-TV in Hartford, the NBC o-and-o there. Earlier in his career, Lowell was VP/News and Director of Marketing for WNCN-TV in Raleigh, which was then an NBC o-and-o.

Two news management changes for WMC-TV in Memphis. REGINA THOMAS moves across town to become the new Assistant News Director for this Raycom-owned NBC affiliate. She had been the Morning EP for WHBQ-TV in Memphis. And SAMANTHA DAVIDSON has been promoted to Executive Producer for WMC. She first started at the station as an intern.

JEFF LENK has been promoted to EP at KBAK/KBFX in Bakersfield, CA. He had been a producer there.

Lee's Ace!

Congratulations to WXIN-TV (Indianapolis) News Director LEE ROSENTHAL who achieved every golfer’s dream earlier this week. He scored a hole in one on the sixth hole of the legendary Crooked Stick Golf Club here in Indianapolis. Lee used a seven iron on the 148 yard par three, and tells me the ball bounced once and rolled into the hole. (I asked Lee if he had a picture of the event, and this is what he sent. I was hoping for something more, but that’s what I have!) Crooked Stick, by the way, will host the PGA’s BMW Championship in early September.

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Friday, July 20, 2012.

WABC-TV     7 Lincoln Square New York, NY 10023
KDAF-TV   8001 Carpenter Freeway Dallas TX 75247 (see ad above!)
WFTS-TV     4045 N. Himes Ave. Tampa FL 33607
KNXV-TV     515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WKYC-TV    1333 Lakeside Ave. Cleveland OH 44114
WFTV            490 E. South St. Orlando FL 32801
KCRA-TV     3 Television Circle Sacramento CA 95814
XETV             8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WDJT-TV    809 S. 60th St. Milwaukee WI 53214
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd., #7007 Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
KSNV-TV     1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WPMT-TV    2005 S. Queen Street York PA 17403
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WKBW-TV  7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV     3701 South Peoria Ave. Tulsa OK 74105
KOTV           302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
KSNW-TV    833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV   2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219
WFRV-TV   1181 E. Mason St. Green Bay WI 54301 (see ad above!)
KRBK-TV (apply to corporate) Springfield, MO
KGAN-TV      600-2 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402
WCTI-TV      225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28561
WEHT/WTVW 800 Marywood Dr. Henderson KY 42420
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2809 Ajax Ave. #200 Rogers AR 72758
KHGI-TV     13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KBOI-TV     140 N. 16th St. Boise ID 83702
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
WVNS-TV   141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843
WJHG-TV   8195 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach FL 32407
KECI/KTVM-TV 340 W. Main St. Missoula MT 59802
KKCO-TV    2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KJCT-TV      8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV   2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001

July 13, 2012

Greetings:

A surprising ND change in Phoenix late yesterday is one of FIVE new ND openings in this week’s report. And there are FOUR newly named NDs.

Those changes bump our list of open ND jobs to 34.

There are THREE new paid help wanted ads this week, one for a top five market ND job, and two for EP positions in a wide variety of market sizes and geography. And we’re advertising an opportunity for a FREE news management training seminar.

In our relatively new Situations Wanted segment, we’ll introduce you to a large market news manager who’s seeking a new opportunity.

In Names in the News, we’ll tell you about the SEVEN local stations who’ve been nominated for National Emmys. And we’ll report on some news managers on the move, and one ND who’s added a new daughter to his family.

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

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now:

Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is currently accepting applications for its October 3-6 session in Austin, TX. Applications are due Friday, July 27 and applications are available by clicking here.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news directors. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
What’s missing from your social media strategy?
The world can be sloppy – leadership and ethics in the 24-7 media world.
What’s happening to our business – what’s ahead in the next three, five, ten years?
Big J Millennials?
Our viewers have changed. Now it’s our turn.
How newsroom systems must evolve to meet the challenges of our business.
Participants will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary, Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.

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. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!

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

New News Director Openings:

KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ…in a move late Thursday that caught many by surprise, JOE HENGEMUEHLER announced that he’s leaving next month. Joe told me he’s looking for a new challenge that will give him a better balance of work and life. He’s been ND here for six years and worked at this Scripps-owned ABC station for what he says is ten great years. Joe’s worked at two other Phoenix stations, was an ND in Oklahoma City, and has also worked in Washington, DC.

WFTV, Orlando, FL…this COX-owned ABC affiliate is looking for a new ND to replace BOB JORDAN. We told you a few days ago that Bob’s moving to sister-Cox station KIRO-TV in Seattle. Bob’s finishing his third stint as ND here, and will now be an ND for a second Seattle station, having worked at KING-TV years ago. More on his new job below.

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…CHAD CROSS is leaving the Sunflower Broadcast owned CBS affiliate to become ND for KXAN-TV in Austin, TX. More on that below. He’s been ND here for almost four years.

Daley-Hinkens

WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI…CARMELYN DALEY-HINKENS is leaving to become the Assistant ND/News Content Manager for WITI-TV in Milwaukee. She’s worked here since 2008 and was promoted to ND last August. Carmelyn spent many years with WISC-TV in Madison, WI, including more than six years as ND. She left that job to accompany her husband to a position in Texas, where she worked in Dallas.

Weindel

KBOI-TV, Boise, ID…JULIE WEINDEL has left this Fisher Broadcast owned ABC affiliate after almost three years as ND. (If you’re confused, the call letters used to be KBCI-TV). Earlier in her career, Julie spent 12 years at WHIO-TV in Dayton, almost nine of them as news director, before leaving that Cox owned station to start her own media company. Julie tells me she’s ready to move on to another market.

Newly Named News Directors:

KSTS-TV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA…FREDDY OLDENBURG will start Monday as the next ND for this Telemundo-owned station. He has been the EP of a program called “Noche de Perros” on TeleFutura which was recently cancelled. KSTS shares facilities with NBC’s KNTV in San Jose.

Jordan

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA….we told you earlier this week that BOB JORDAN was returning to Seattle, this time as ND for Cox’s KIRO-TV. The move brings him much closer to his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren in Seattle.  Bob’s spent the last ten years as ND for Cox’s WFTV in Orlando. That’s his third stint at WFTV, and he’s previously been an ND in Seattle for KING-TV. He’s also been an ND in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Tampa, and a General Manager in West Palm Beach. He replaces TODD MOHKTARI who left last month after five years as ND to become VP/News for KNBC-TV in his native Los Angeles.

Cross

KXAN-TV, Austin, TX…CHAD CROSS has been named ND for the Lin Media owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the ND for KWCH-TV in Wichita since September, 2008, when he was promoted to the top job. He’s worked there since 2002 as a producer, reporter, anchor and assignment editor. It’s a return to Austin for Chad, who’s a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin. He replaces MICHAEL FABAC who left the station in May after more than five years as ND.

Springer

KAAL-TV, Austin, MN…DAVID SPRINGER is the new ND for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. He previously worked for News 12 Connecticut and has also worked in South Carolina and Oregon. At KAAL, he replaces MIKE SCRHAM who left the station in April after five years as ND. Mike moved to Indianapolis to become the morning EP for WISH-TV.

Help Wanted Ads: 

News Director, KDAF-TV, Dallas, TX:

Our non-traditional newsroom seeks a non-traditional manager to help us evolve our non-traditional news product in the nation’s 5th Market.

KDAF-TV, the Tribune, CW station in Dallas-Fort Worth, has an immediate opening for a News Director. The person hired will help us break old school TV rules as we pursue our non-traditional news audience while still maintaining a quality news product. We are looking for someone who leads by example and is equally comfortable producing for the web as they are producing for air.

Primary duties include direct oversight of all content – over the air and on-line, working with producers and reporters to create compelling content, and set the tone and direction for the newsroom.

If you have television news management experience and are able to adjust to today’s multi-platform environment, send your resume and salary requirements to hfloore@tribune.com or snail mail to:

HR Department
KDAF-TV
8001 John Carpenter Freeway
Dallas TX 75247

Equal Opportunity Employer

Executive Producer, Special Projects, KGTV, San Diego, CA:

Executive Producer-Special Projects, KGTV, San Diego, CA

KGTV, San Diego’s ABC Affiliate, is recruiting for an experienced Executive Producer – Investigative Unit. The Executive Producer is responsible for managing the content and delivery of investigative, consumer, health and other franchise stories while ensuring the station is competitive on all platforms.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Oversee all aspects of the special projects Unit including but not limited to multi-media journalists, producers, researchers, photojournalists and editors
• Supervise storylines, writing and editing of content related to investigations or special projects
• Coordinate 52-week strategy with emphasis on sweeps months for multiple platforms
• Use computer database to research statistics and facts
• Knowledge and demonstration of creativity, editorial judgment, journalistic ethics and libel laws
• Manage scheduling, overtime and expenses for the special projects unit
• Complete and deliver performance evaluations for direct reports
• Implement and have working knowledge of federal, state and local laws impacting operations
• Identify and manage opportunities to repurpose and extend content to create synergy

Requirements: Must have the ability to meet deadlines and work with a wide range of personalities. At least three years of news line producing experience with a commercial news operation required. College degree required.

If interested, and you meet the requirements of this position, please apply online at: scripps.com/careers – requisition 5142

KGTV is an Equal Opportunity employer. All 10News employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Executive Producer, WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH:

13abc Action News in Toledo is accepting applications for an Executive Producer.

The successful candidate will work directly with our team of producers on matters of presentation, quality control and creativity and have a minimum of four years producing experience. If you are a line producer in a larger market looking for a management track opportunity with a news staff committed to excellence, this is a terrific opportunity.

No phone calls, please.

Send materials to:

Brian Trauring
Executive News Director
13abc
4247 Dorr St.
Toledo OH 43607

or email wtvg.hr@13abc.com

Equal Opportunity Employer.

Director of Digital Journalism, WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH:

WCMH-TV, NBC4 is looking for a dynamic leader for its digital journalism content team.

We are looking for a leader with strong communication, organizational and delegation skills with a keen ability to vision potential solutions, products and services as it relates to the creation and distribution of digital journalism based content across multiple distribution channels and platforms. A strong understanding of product branding and marketing/promotions is essential to helping grow our share of voice in the multimedia marketplace.

An appreciation of the technical operation and elements needed for the collection, processing, presentation and distribution of digital content across multiple platforms is necessary. B. A. or B. S. from an accredited college or university is preferred. 5 years or more senior level management experience at a network affiliated local television station. Preference of that management experience is in News. First hand knowledge and understanding of basic journalistic standards, ethical decision making experience and a creative vision for the future of local journalism is an important skill for this position.

To apply, submit an application on www.mediageneral.com/careers or mail your resume and cover letter to:

WCMH-TV
Human Resources
3165 Olentangy River Road
Columbus OH 43202

Pre-Employment Background and drug screen required. EOE M/F/V/D

News Director, WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY:

WKBW-TV7, the ABC Affiliate for Buffalo/Niagara Falls has an immediate opening for an aggressive hands-on News Director.

Our next News Director will have a record of proven leadership and achievement, characterized by creative and innovative use of personnel, scheduling and technical resources.

Our next News Director will have strong story instincts and production skills, on-air and online, including the successful integration of internet and social media into our day-to-day ‘multiple screen’ strategy.

The successful candidate is a highly competitive leader, teacher and team-builder, with the skills to successfully develop new talent while also growing our veterans.

Our next News Director knows how to maximize our strengths, and exploit competitive opportunities. Working closely with senior WKBW station management, the next News Director will achieve long-term budgetary and strategic goals.

If that’s you, we want to hear from you.

Send resume by mail to:
HR/News Director
WKBW-TV
7 Broadcast Plaza
Buffalo NY 14202

or via email to: wkbwresume@wkbw.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (new listing this week)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (new listing this week)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 5/26/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/10/12)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (new listing this week)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted 6/1/12)
KVLY/KXJB-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 7/7/12)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Nightisde EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (PM EP, listed 6/24/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Morning EP, listed 6/10/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Special Projects EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 7/7/12)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listed 5/18/12)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 6/24/12)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted this week)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (new listing this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, listed 6/29/12)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 6/24/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/24/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (relisted 7/7/12)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY (AM EP, listed 6/29/12)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 6/1/12)
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau, MO (listed 6/29/12)
KBAK/KBFX-TV, Bakersfield, CA (AM EP, listed 5/26/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 6/24/12)

Situations Wanted:

Our Situations Wanted listings are free. If you’d like to state your case to a pretty well targeted audience, email me an item (max 100 words). You may include one link to a website, an email address, and an optional photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

DAVE PARKER:

Parker

I’m seeking a News Director position with a competitive organization that believes in hard work, detailed planning and isn’t afraid to try new things. A place that has strong fundamentals and realizes local TV news must be accurate, fair and entertaining. I have thirty years in the business, half of it in front of the camera, the other in top management positions including several years in a top 5 market.

I can be reached at dave.parker028@gmail.com

Names in the News:

Congratulations to seven local stations (WCAU-TV, WFAA-TV, WRAL-TV, KING-TV, KMGH-TV, WSMV-TV, and WTHR-TV) which received National Emmy nominations on Thursday. CBS led the national networks with 43 nominations. The complete list is here.

JENNIFER COBB joins WCPO-TV in Cincinnati as an executive producer. She’s previously worked in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Salinas/Monterey, CA.

DAVE MALM returns to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee as Assignment Manager. He spent 22 years at the Journal Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate as a photographer before moving to WFRV-TV in Green Bay nine years ago as Managing Editor.

Iris Henning

Congratulations to WAFF-TV (Huntsville, AL) News Director ADAM HENNING and his wife JENNIFER on the birth July 9th of daughter IRIS HENNING. Iris weighed in at eight pounds, five ounces, and joins four year old sister LEAH in the Henning household. Adam’s been the ND in Huntsville for three years, and has previously been an ND in Greenville, NC, Wilmington, NC, and Gainesville, FL. Your note of good cheer can go to: ahenning@waff.com

Our Full List of News Director Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Friday, July 13, 2012.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
WABC-TV     7 Lincoln Square New York, NY 10023
KDAF-TV   8001 Carpenter Freeway Dallas TX 75247 (see ad above!)
WFTS-TV     4045 N. Himes Ave. Tampa FL 33607
KNXV-TV  515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WKYC-TV    1333 Lakeside Ave. Cleveland OH 44114
WFTV         490 E. South St. Orlando FL 32801
KCRA-TV     3 Television Circle Sacramento CA 95814
XETV             8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WCMH-TV 3165 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus OH 43202 (see ad above!)
WDJT-TV    809 S. 60th St. Milwaukee WI 53214
KSNV-TV     1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WPMT-TV    2005 S. Queen Street York PA 17403
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202 (see ad above!)
KJRH-TV     3701 South Peoria Ave. Tulsa OK 74105
KOTV           302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
KSNW-TV    833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV  2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219
WFRV-TV   1181 E. Mason St. Green Bay WI 54301
KRBK-TV (apply to corporate) Springfield, MO
WKOW-TV   5727 Tokay Boulevard Madison WI 53719
KGAN-TV      600-2 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids IA 52402
WCTI-TV      225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28561
WEHT/WTVW 800 Marywood Dr. Henderson KY 42420
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2809 Ajax Ave. #200 Rogers AR 72758
KHGI-TV     13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KBOI-TV   140 N. 16th St. Boise ID 83702
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
WVNS-TV   141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843
WJHG-TV   8195 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach FL 32407
KECI/KTVM-TV 340 W. Main St. Missoula MT 59802
KKCO-TV    2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KJCT-TV      8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV     120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV   2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001