August 15, 2009

Greetings:

A very surprising move tops this week’s list of news director and news management changes.

We told you about the move earlier this week that saw a longtime Gannett executive leave the company.

Another opening sees a longtime ND (try 28 years!) moving upstairs to the GM’s chair at a small market powerhouse.

Those are among the  THREE new openings to tell you about, and there is only  ONE new news director hire this week.  That raises the number of openings to  24.

We have two paid ads (you may not care, but my wife does!) for interesting opportunities.

One of those paid ads is for an Executive Producer position at The Weather Channel, while the other is a blind box ad for a midwest duopoly looking for an Assistant News Director.

And we have one item to check out in Name in the News.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

Todd Hauer

WYIN-TV, Merrillville, IN…TODD HAUER is leaving this PBS affiliate to become Associate Director of Media Relations for Valparaiso University.  He’s been ND here for three years and previously worked as a reporter in the Carolinas.  WYIN airs a nightly newscast at 9:00.

WUSA-TV, Washington, DC…we told you about this surprise move in an emailed UPDATE last Tuesday.  LANE MICHAELSEN, a longtime news executive with Gannett, is leaving this CBS affiliate to become ND for WTVJ-TV in Miami.  (More on that below.) Lane’s been ND here for just under a year.  His replacement will be the fourth ND here in the last five years.

Dave Vincent

WLOX-TV, Biloxi, MS…congratulations to longtime ND (and even longer-time employee) DAVE VINCENT on his promotion to GM of this Raycom-owned ABC station.  Dave’s been the ND here since 1981, and has worked at the station since 1977.  During his tenure, the station has won a Peabody, a duPont, and a National Murrow Award for stories ranging from civil rights to coverage of Hurricane Katrina.  Please join me in congratulating Dave via email at: dvincent@wlox.com

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

Michaelsen

WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL…as noted above, LANE MICHAELSEN will be the next ND for this NBC o-and-o.  Lane is currently ND for Gannett’s WUSA-TV in Washington, and his move ends a long career with Gannett in which he worked as a photojournalist in Minneapolis, a news director in Little Rock and Tampa (in addition to Washington) and also served as VP/News for the company.  At WTVJ, he replaces YVETTE MILEY who was promoted to Executive Editor for MSNBC earlier this year.  Of note: WTVJ’s GM is ARDYTH DIERCKS, who had been a GM at Gannett stations earlier in her career.

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PAID ADS:

Executive Producer, The Weather Channel, Atlanta

We are searching for an Executive Producer to be responsible for all aspects of all weekday morning live programming.

Responsibilities include:

– Determining daily editorial content, overall production elements, graphic support and contributions from bureaus and affiliate partners.

– Producing in a control room, including multiple live shots from various locations.  Consult with Meteorologists during daily briefings.

– Overseeing video acquisitions via satellite networks and other sources.

– Writing creative scripts and preparing video teases as needed

– Developing and maintaining a constructive relationship with show talent.

– Responsibility for planning and executing sponsorship components and ad integration

Qualifications include:

– 10-15 years experience in live television news production

– At least 6 years experience managing a staff

– Bachelor`s degree in communications, or related subject preferred.

– Control room experience producing live news programs that contain live remote elements.

– Must be able to work in a team environment with minimum supervision.

– Advanced knowledge of computer newsroom systems

Send your resume to: Rashida Jones at: rjones@weather.com

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Blind Box Ad, Assistant News Director, Midwest

Mid-size Midwestern duopoly on the rise, looking to continue redefining a market.  After years of unprecedented growth,  we need an Assistant News Director who is willing to take the reins and continue shaping our news product across multiple platforms.

Successful candidate needs an ability to multi-task, a willingness to get their hands dirty, and a desire to mold an improving newsroom.  Must be willing to build news product focused on what the viewer wants to see, while working within the restraints of modern news budgets.

Strong news judgment,  flexibility and focus are necessary.

Email your resume and cover letter to: NDad@rickgevers.com, or mail to:

Blind Box Ad
Rick Gevers & Associates
PO Box 577
Zionsville IN 46077

Please note:  I have no role in the hiring process.  All replies, both email and postal mail, are forwarded automatically to the hiring station.

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Other News Mgmt. Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (listed 4/25/09)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 7/31/09)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 8/7/09)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (new listing this week, see ad above)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (PM EP, relisted 6/14/09)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, listed 8/7/09)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listed 7/31/09)
Northwest Cable News, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listed 8/7/09)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (Morning EP, relisted 6/19/09)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, listed 7/31/09)
WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (two jobs, AM & PM, new listing this week)
WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (new listing this week)
WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 8/7/09)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 7/24/09)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 6/19/09)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 6/14/09)
WPTA/WISE, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 8/7/09)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (listed 5/22/09)

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NAME IN THE NEWS:

CHAD CURTIS has been named Manager, Broadcast News, Department of Communications, at Brigham Young University.  Chad’s a BYU grad who is currently working for NBC NewsChannel. (You saw this position advertised in this newsletter a few weeks ago.)  Chad will oversee the student newsroom that does a daily 30 minute live newscast on KBYU-TV (in the Salt Lake City DMA), as well as BYU’s online efforts, and a weekly 30 minute Spanish language news magazine that is broadcast by satellite to Mexico, Central and South America.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, August 14, 2009.  If you know of any updates, corrections, or additions to this list, please let me know via email at: rick@rickgevers.com

WYIN-TV   8625 Indiana Place              Merrillville IN 46410 (PBS affiliate)
KNTV      2450 North First St.            San Jose CA 95131
WUSA-TV   4100 Wisconsin Ave NW           Washington DC 20016
WDIV-TV   550 W. Lafayette Blvd           Detroit MI 48231
KXLN-TV   9440 Kirby Dr.                  Houston TX 77054  (Spanish Language)
WLWT-TV   1700 Young St.                  Cincinnati OH 45210
WOOD-TV   120 College SE                  Grand Rapids MI 49503
KRQE-TV   13 Broadcast Plaza              Albuquerque NM 87104
KSEE-TV   5035 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WKRG-TV   555 Broadcast Dr.               Mobile AL 36606
WGBA-TV   1391 North Rd.                  Green Bay WI 54307
WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                Toledo OH 43615
KITV-TV   801 South King St.              Honolulu HI 96813
WAND-TV   904 South Side Dr.              Decatur IL 62525
WFFF-TV   298 Mountain View Dr.           Colchester VT 05446
WLNS-TV   2820 E. Saginaw St.             Lansing MI 48912
WNCT-TV   3221 S. Evans St.               Greenville NC 27834
WPBN/WTOM-TV 8518 M 72 West               Traverse City MI 49684
KBCI-TV   140 N. 16th St.                 Boise ID 83702
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                     Macon GA 31208
WEAU-TV   1907 S. Hastings Way            Eau Claire WI 54701
WECT-TV   322 Shipyard Blvd.              Wilmington NC 28412
WLOX-TV   208 DeBuys Road                 Biloxi MS 39531
KTVZ-TV   62990 O.B Riley Rd.             Bend OR 97701

August 8, 2009

Tuesday, August 11 UDPATE:

Michaelsen

In a move seen as a surprise by many, longtime Gannett news manager LANE MICHAELSEN is leaving the company (where he is currently VP of the News and Information Center for the company’s Washington, DC, CBS affiliate, WUSA-TV) to become VP/News and Content for WTVJ-TV, the NBC o-and-o in Miami.  Lane’s been at WUSA for just under a year, but has served Gannett as a VP/News as well as ND for its stations in Little Rock and Tampa.  He began his career as a photojournalist and has been honored many times for his work.  At WTVJ, he replaces YVETTE MILEY who was named Executive Editor for MSNBC earlier this year.

Greetings:

We have a handful of new ND hires to tell you about, including one in New York City that was announced Friday afternoon.

That’s one of  FOUR new NDs in this week’s report, with  ONE new opening, and that in a top ten market.

For the second week in a row, we have a handful of new News Management Openings.  Is that a sign that stations are starting to hire again?  I don’t know, but it’s a nice sign.

In Names in the News, a new Assistant ND in Cleveland, a PR promotion for a former ND, and an award for a longtime Missouri Journalism School professor.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

KNTV,    San Jose/San Francisco, CA…SUSAN SULLIVAN is leaving this NBC o-and-o to return home as ND for WNBC-TV in New York City.  She’s been the VP/News here since November 2007.  Much more on this move below.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WNBC-TV, New York, NY…as noted above, SUSAN SULLIVAN has been named ND for this NBC o-and-o.  She’s currently VP/News for NBC’s KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco.  Susan has previously been an ND in New York (WNYW-TV), Washington, DC (WTTG-TV) and Phoenix (KNXV-TV), and has worked at both WCBS-TV and WABC-TV in New York.  Susan also has a law degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York.  At WNBC, she replaces VICKI BURNS who was named VP of Content & Audience Development for NBC Local Media New York last June after just more than a year as the ND here.

Stanton Tang

WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, MI…Executive Producer STANTON TANG has been promoted to News and Information Director for this Gannett-owned ABC affiliate.  He’s been the EP there since December, 2005, and previously worked in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Sacramento.  Stanton replaces TIM GERAGHTY who was promoted earlier this year  to be ND for Gannett’s KXTV in Sacramento after almost five years as ND here.

Bob Stoldal

KVBC-TV, Las Vegas, NV…we alerted you to this surprising move in a mid-week emailed UPDATE.  BOB STOLDAL, longtime ND of cross-town rival KLAS-TV, has been named Executive Vice President/News for this Sunbelt Communications owned NBC affiliate.  He’ll also manage and coordinate the news operations of all the Sunbelt stations.  Bob retired as VP/News of KLAS in 2008, ending a long career with that station, which began in 1967.  He did spend a few years as ND of sister-Landmark station WTVF-TV in Nashville.  Bob’s a native Nevadan and an expert in the history of Las Vegas.  He replaces DEBORAH CLAYTON who left KVBC last month after almost two years as ND, and spent many more years than that working at the station.

KTEN-TV, Denison, TX…we told you last week that veteran newsman CRAIG MARRS had been named GM of this NBC affiliate.  We didn’t know that he’ll also been assuming the ND duties, at least for now.  So we’re removing this from our list of openings.  KTEN is owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group.

Also this week, DAN GARCIA’s job as ND of KAUZ-TV in Wichita Falls, TX, was eliminated after the station’s owned signed a joint sales and shared services agrement with the owners of KSWO-TV in Lawton, OK.

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Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (listed 4/25/09)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (relisted 6/19/09)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 7/31/09)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (new listing this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (PM EP, relisted 6/14/09)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, new listing this week)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listed 7/31/09)
Northwest Cable News, Seattle, WA (PM EP, new listing this week)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (relisted 5/15/09)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (Morning EP, relisted 6/19/09)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, listed 7/31/09)
WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (new listing this week)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 7/24/09)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 6/19/09)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 6/14/09)
WPTA/WISE, Ft. Wayne, IN (new listing this week)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (listed 5/22/09)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER/PRODUCER:

WPTA/WISE, Ft. Wayne, IN (new listing this week)

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NAMES IN THE NEWS:

Finlayson

Former Chicago, San Francisco/Oakland, and Nashville ND ANDREW FINLAYSON will be a Knight fellow this fall at Stanford.  He’s now Director of Online Content for Fox.  Andrew tells me that will allow him to get a “sort of mini-MBA in digital entrepreneurship.”  The Stanford Knight fellowship is now focusing on the future of journalism and digital innovation.  He’d like to hear from any news directors…actually from anyone…who has started their own digital media business, either full or part time.  You can share you thoughts with Andrew via email at:  Andrew.Finlayson@FOXTV.COM

ROBERTA PETTERSON has been named Assistant ND for WEWS-TV in Cleveland.  She most recently had been an EP for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh and has also worked in Tulsa, OK.

Mike Cavender

Former News Director MIKE CAVENDER has been promoted to VP of Client Solutions for Medialink.  Mike’s a former ND in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Tampa, and Nashville, and a past chairman of RTNDA and RTNDF.  He joined Medialink three years ago.  He’ll continue to be based in Atlanta.  You can re-connect with Mike via email at: mcavender@medialink.com

Rod Gelatt

And congratulations to longtime University of Missouri Journalism Professor ROD GELATT who’s been named one of the seven winners of the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.  Rod’s been affiliated with the J-School for more than 45 years and has had a role in training hundreds if not thousands of journalists.  Full disclosure: I was a student of Rod’s while at Missouri.  You can read more about Rod and the other winners by clicking here.  And you can wish Rod well via email at: rgelatt@aol.com

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, August 7, 2009.  If you know of any updates, corrections, or additions to this list, please let me know via email at: rick@rickgevers.com

KNTV      2450 North First St.            San Jose CA 95131
WDIV-TV   550 W. Lafayette Blvd           Detroit MI 48231
KXLN-TV   9440 Kirby Dr.                  Houston TX 77054  ***
WTVJ-TV   15000 SW 27th Ave.              Miramar FL 33027
WLWT-TV   1700 Young St.                  Cincinnati OH 45210
WOOD-TV   120 College SE                  Grand Rapids MI 49503
KRQE-TV   13 Broadcast Plaza              Albuquerque NM 87104
KSEE-TV   5035 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WKRG-TV   555 Broadcast Dr.               Mobile AL 36606
WGBA-TV   1391 North Rd.                  Green Bay WI 54307
WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                Toledo OH 43615
KITV-TV   801 South King St.              Honolulu HI 96813
WAND-TV   904 South Side Dr.              Decatur IL 62525
WFFF-TV   298 Mountain View Dr.           Colchester VT 05446
WLNS-TV   2820 E. Saginaw St.             Lansing MI 48912
WNCT-TV   3221 S. Evans St.               Greenville NC 27834
WPBN/WTOM-TV 8518 M 72 West               Traverse City MI 49684
KBCI-TV   140 N. 16th St.                 Boise ID 83702
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                     Macon GA 31208
WEAU-TV   1907 S. Hastings Way            Eau Claire WI 54701
WECT-TV   322 Shipyard Blvd.              Wilmington NC 28412
KTVZ-TV   62990 O.B Riley Rd.             Bend OR 97701

August 1, 2009

Tuesday, August 4th UPDATE:

Bob Stoldal

A veteran Las Vegas newsman returns to a newsroom in an announcement made today.  BOB STOLDAL has been named Executive VP/News for KVBC-TV in Las Vegas, the Sunbelt-owned NBC affiliate there.  Bob’s a native Nevadan who spent almost his entire career at KLAS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas.  He retired from the station in July, 2008.  More on this more in our regular weekly update later this week.

Greetings:

What we may lack this week in news director changes…we make up for in a full section of Names in the News.

That’s because was have only  ONE new ND opening to share with you, and, to the best of my knowledge,  NO new NDs were named since our last report.  We’ll also tell you about a longtime news director who was laid off by his station.

That brings, by my count, the number of open ND jobs to  25.

We do have a paid ad for one of those 25 openings…that’s below.   And we have several new news management openings.

In Names in the News, there are details about new jobs (all out of newsrooms) for several veteran news people.  We’ll tell you about a new Assistant ND in Chicago who comes….sort of…from the movies.  And we’ll tell you about a former news director who’s developed a relaxing app for the iPhone.

And we’ll give you a chance to help two Arizona State University professors with some research they are conducting.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

WNWO-TV, Toledo, OH…TIM LIVINGSTON has left this NBC affiliate which is owned by Barrington Broadcasting. Tim’s worked at the station for about 12 years and was promoted to ND in June, 2008.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

None that I know of.

One more note…longtime KAPP-TV (Yakima, WA) News Director MIKE BALMELLI was one of two staffers laid off this week at this Morgan Murphy Media owned ABC affiliate. Mike worked at the stations for more than 17 years and had been ND for 12.

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PAID ADS:

NEWS DIRECTOR, WECT-TV, WILMINGTON, NC:

WECT-TV, Raycom’s NBC affiliate in Wilmington, NC seeks a News Director who has a successful track record of leading aggressive news coverage. Strong leadership abilities, communications and interpersonal skills, and a passion for news are a must.

Responsibilities include setting and communicating goals and strategies, staff management, budget/expense administration and efficient use of station resources.

Must be able to provide strategic direction for day-to-day news coverage, breaking news & weather, and major stories on-air and on our highly trafficked website, while consistently communicating and protecting the brand image. Our station produces 34 hours of news per week. Candidate should have experience in maximizing local coverage, weather and sports over various day parts. Successful candidate should exhibit a track record of working with Sales and Marketing on a variety of special projects.

Background should include 3-5 years of significant experience in television newsroom management with previous News Director experience preferred.

Send your resume and salary requirement to: Gary McNair at gmcnair@wect.com

EOE

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Other News Mgmt. Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (listed 4/25/09)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (relisted 6/19/09)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (new listing this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (PM EP, relisted 6/14/09)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, new listing this week)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (relisted 5/15/09)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (Morning EP, relisted 6/19/09)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (AM EP, new listing this week)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 7/24/09)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 6/19/09)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 6/14/09)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (listed 5/22/09)

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Help Some ASU Professors:

Two professors at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University are doing research on “Visual Gatekeeping”.  They’re hoping to hear from  news directors, executive producers, chief photographers, web producers, and assignment editors.  They’d like your thoughts on these questions:

1. Do visuals play a more important role in determining what is news than ever before? If yes, what is different now than before? Consider things like converged newsrooms, the widespread accessibility of photos on the Internet, and the ease with which anyone can create and publish content.

2. Who are the visual gatekeepers in your organization? What attributes or skills do they need?

3. Do you see the role of visual gatekeepers changing in the future? How so?

Send your responses to Bill Silcock at:  bsilcock@asu.edu

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Names in the News:

WBBM-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Chicago, has hired DON DuPREE as its Assistant ND.  DuPree spent the last 15 years the EP for Ebert & Roeper and the Movies. But earlier in his career he was an EP for WMAQ-TV in Chicago and also worked at WJZ-TV in Baltimore.

Craig Marrs

Veteran newsman, consultant, and general manager CRAIG MARRS has been named General Manager of KTEN-TV in Dennison, TX.  That’s an NBC affiliate owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group.  During his career, Craig has consulted for SmithGeiger, Crawford Johnson & Northcott, and Frank N. Magid Associates.  He’s been a GM in Huntsville, station manager for KRON-TV in San Francisco, helped found Northwest Cable News in Seattle, was a VP for an internet company in San Francisco (Zatso), and was an ND in Oklahoma City.  You can reconnect with Craig at: cmarrs919@yahoo.com

Former Ft. Myers, Roanoke/Lynchburg, and Yuma News Director BRUCE KIRK is headed to academia. Bruce is joining the faculty at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, where he’ll teach, oversee the campus radio station and help develop a TV station.  Bruce spent much of his career on-air in markets like Detroit and Phoenix before moving to his first ND job in Yuma.  Wish him well at bkmedia@aol.com

Ellen Miller

ELLEN MILLER has been named Director of the Center for Sustainable Journalism at Kennesaw State University.  The center’s mission is to ensure that high quality journalism continues to have a vibrant place in our democracy.  Ellen’s a former ND at WBTV in Charlotte, and also was an assistant ND in Chicago and Nashville.  Most recently she’s been working with MIKE SECHRIST on an online hyperlocal website, www.nashville247.tv You can congratulate Ellen at: ellenews@aol.com

Mike Rausch

Former news director MIKE RAUSCH has developed an application for Apple’s iPhone. It’s called ‘That Beach Channel’ and plays relaxing beach scenes (shot in HD) from around the world.  You can preview the concept at www.thatbeachchannel.com Mike’s a former ND in Orlando, Portland (OR), Louisville and Rochester, NY.  You can reach him via email at mike@crimeline.com

Rod Madden

Longtime Disney World PR man ROD MADDEN has left the Mouse and ventured out onto his own under the banner of Rod Madden Media Services, LLC.  We mention this because many of you know Rod from his longtime role as liaison between Disney and broadcast media and his regular role as host of Disney receptions at RTNDA and other conventions.  He’s also a former ND at two stations in Terre Haute, IN.  Wish Rod well via email at: jrodmadden@aol.com

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, July 31, 2009.  If you know of any updates, corrections, or additions to this list, please let me know via email at: rick@rickgevers.com

WNBC-TV   30 Rockefeller Plaza            New York NY 10012
WDIV-TV   550 W. Lafayette Blvd           Detroit MI 48231
KXLN-TV   9440 Kirby Dr.                  Houston TX 77054  ***
WTVJ-TV   15000 SW 27th Ave.              Miramar FL 33027
WLWT-TV   1700 Young St.                  Cincinnati OH 45210
WOOD-TV   120 College SE                  Grand Rapids MI 49503
WZZM-TV   645 Three Mile Road NW          Grand Rapids MI 49504
KVBC-TV   1500 Foremaster Lane            Las Vegas NV 89101
KRQE-TV   13 Broadcast Plaza              Albuquerque NM 87104
KSEE-TV   5035 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WKRG-TV   555 Broadcast Dr.               Mobile AL 36606
WGBA-TV   1391 North Rd.                  Green Bay WI 54307
WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                Toledo OH 43615
KITV-TV   801 South King St.              Honolulu HI 96813
WAND-TV   904 South Side Dr.              Decatur IL 62525
WFFF-TV   298 Mountain View Dr.           Colchester VT 05446
WLNS-TV   2820 E. Saginaw St.             Lansing MI 48912
WNCT-TV   3221 S. Evans St.               Greenville NC 27834
WPBN/WTOM-TV 8518 M 72 West               Traverse City MI 49684
KBCI-TV   140 N. 16th St.                 Boise ID 83702
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                     Macon GA 31208
WEAU-TV   1907 S. Hastings Way            Eau Claire WI 54701
WECT-TV   322 Shipyard Blvd.              Wilmington NC 28412 (see ad above)
KTEN-TV   10 HighPoint Circle             Denison TX 75020
KTVZ-TV   62990 O.B Riley Rd.             Bend OR 97701

(BOLD indicates new opening this week.
*** indicates Spanish language station)

July 25, 2009

Greetings:

There’s a flurry of activity to report to you, including the first new ND to be named in a few weeks.

In all, there are FOUR new openings in addition to the aforementioned ONE new ND.

That brings, by my count, the number of open ND jobs to   24.

We have a paid ad for one of those new openings, as well as a repeat of last week’s ad for an ND in Idaho. And we have a listing for an EP at a Tennessee station.

There’s an obituary for the husband of a longtime Indiana news director, another for a former New York City special projects producer, and information about a memorial service for a veteran talent coach.

And in Names in the News, we have news of two new RTNDA board members and news of a new job for a former Massachusetts ND (who’s still anchoring).

All that and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

KVBC-TV, Las Vegas, NV…longtime KVBC employee DEBORAH CLAYTON has left the station after almost two years as ND.  Deborah has been with the station for about 15 years in a wide variety of roles.  She had earlier worked in Texas.   KVBC is an NBC affiliate owned by Sunbelt Broadcasting.

WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI…MEGAN RUSHMORE has left this Journal Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate after almost three years as ND.  She previously worked in Colorado Springs, CO.

WECT-TV, Wilmington, NC…RAEFORD BROWN has left this Raycom-owned NBC affiliate.  He’s been the ND there since April, 2000, when he was promoted to ND.  Learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below!

KTVZ/KFXO, Bend, OR…MIKE BOTHWELL is leaving this NBC/FOX duopoly to return east for personal reasons. Mike’s been the ND here since November, 2007, and previously worked for station owner News Press & Gazette as the Assistant ND at KESQ-TV in Palm Desert. Mike will be there for a few months.  He’s previously worked in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

Cristi Jessee

KSAX-TV, Alexandria, MN…CRISTI JESSEE returns to Minnesota as ND for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned satellite to KSTP-TV. (The station airs local inserts within KSTP’s newscasts.) Cristi is currently working at KXTV in Sacramento as a multi media journalist, and has worked in markets from Los Angeles to Grand Forks, ND. Cristi was graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. She replaces SARAH CASUELLO who left the station in February.

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PAID ADS:

NEWS DIRECTOR, WECT-TV, Wilmington, NC:

WECT-TV, Raycom’s NBC affiliate in Wilmington, NC seeks a News Director who has a successful track record of leading aggressive news coverage. Strong leadership abilities, communications and interpersonal skills, and a passion for news are a must.

Responsibilities include setting and communicating goals and strategies, staff management, budget/expense administration and efficient use of station resources.

Must be able to provide strategic direction for day-to-day news coverage, breaking news & weather, and major stories on-air and on our highly trafficked website, while consistently communicating and protecting the brand image. Our station produces 34 hours of news per week. Candidate should have experience in maximizing local coverage, weather and sports over various day parts. Successful candidate should exhibit a track record of working with Sales and Marketing on a variety of special projects.

Background should include 3-5 years of significant experience in television newsroom management with previous News Director experience preferred.

Send your resume and salary requirement to: Gary McNair at gmcnair@wect.com

EOE

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NEWS DIRECTOR, KBCI-TV, BOISE, IDAHO:

KBCI-TV, Boise, is looking for a dynamic News Director with a passion for news, weather and interactive coverage.  KBCI is the heritage CBS station in a highly competetive news market (DMA 112). Boise is the statecapitol, home to the largest university in Idaho, and one of the “top ten cities to live in” according to Money Magazine (2006).

Send resume and cover letter to hr@kbcitv.com.

EOE.

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (listed 4/25/09)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (relisted 6/19/09)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (PM EP, relisted 6/14/09)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (relisted 5/15/09)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (Morning EP, relisted 6/19/09)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (new listing this week)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 6/19/09)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 6/14/09)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (listed 5/22/09)

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OBITUARIES and MEMORIAL SERVICES:

I’m sorry to report the death of JOHN SAUER, husband of longtime WSBT-TV News Director MEG SAUER.  Mr. Sauer died earlier this week at the age of 52.  They’d been married for almost 30 years, and were high school sweethearts.  In addition to Meg, he leaves two sons. More details can be found in this obituary.

Lipkin

Former WABC-TV Special Projects Producer (and current ABC News producer) REBECCA LIPKIN died earlier this week of inflammatory breast cancer.  She was 48.  The Washington Post has details in this story.

Flo Sikes

We have details now on a planned memorial service for longtime talent coach FLO SIKES, who died earlier this month at the age of 75.  It will be held near her condo in San Diego.  If you’re interested in details, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

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NAMES IN THE NEWS:

Schwaid

Two news directors, one TV and one from radio, have been added to the RTNDA board.  STEVE SCHWAID, ND for Meredith’s WGCL-TV in Atlanta, replaces HELGA SILVA from Univision who left the board last month.  And CHRIS CARL, the ND for WDEL-AM in Wilmington, DE, fills the spot vacated by MARK KRAHAM of WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, MD, who was elected chairman-elect at this year’s convention.

Kathy Tobin

One time ND (and current anchor) KATHY TOBIN is leaving WGGB-TV in Springfield, MA, to become Director of Development for Friends of the Homeless.  Kathy spent almost ten years as ND for the station.  More details here.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, July 24, 2009.  If you know of any updates, corrections, or additions to this list, please let me know via email at: rick@rickgevers.com

WNBC-TV   30 Rockefeller Plaza            New York NY 10012
WDIV-TV   550 W. Lafayette Blvd           Detroit MI 48231
KXLN-TV   9440 Kirby Dr.                  Houston TX 77054  ***
WTVJ-TV   15000 SW 27th Ave.              Miramar FL 33027
WLWT-TV   1700 Young St.                  Cincinnati OH 45210
WOOD-TV   120 College SE                  Grand Rapids MI 49503
WZZM-TV   645 Three Mile Road NW          Grand Rapids MI 49504
KVBC-TV   1500 Foremaster Lane            Las Vegas NV 89101
KRQE-TV   13 Broadcast Plaza              Albuquerque NM 87104
KSEE-TV   5035 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WKRG-TV   555 Broadcast Dr.               Mobile AL 36606
WGBA-TV   1391 North Rd.                  Green Bay WI 54307
KITV-TV   801 South King St.              Honolulu HI 96813
WAND-TV   904 South Side Dr.              Decatur IL 62525
WFFF-TV   298 Mountain View Dr.           Colchester VT 05446
WLNS-TV   2820 E. Saginaw St.             Lansing MI 48912
WNCT-TV   3221 S. Evans St.               Greenville NC 27834
WPBN/WTOM-TV 8518 M 72 West               Traverse City MI 49684
KBCI-TV   140 N. 16th St.                 Boise ID 83702 (see ad above)
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                     Macon GA 31208
WEAU-TV   1907 S. Hastings Way            Eau Claire WI 54701
WECT-TV 322 Shipyard Blvd. Wilmington NC 28412 (see ad above)
KTEN-TV   10 HighPoint Circle             Denison TX 75020
KTVZ-TV   62990 O.B Riley Rd.             Bend OR 97701

BOLD indicates new opening this week

*** indicates Spanish language station