Rick’s Weekly Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

October 11, 2020

Thursday, October 15, 2020 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Two departures around the end of the year in today’s UPDATE.

Stanley

RANDAL STANLEY is retiring from his job as VP/News Operations for News 12, the 24 hour cable news operation, at the end of the year. Here’s the email from News 12 GM and Senior Vice President JACQUES NATZ.

Randal’s been with News 12 for 14 years, the first 12 as VP/News Director for News 12 New Jersey. He’s also been a news director in Washington, DC, Buffalo, Cleveland and Lincoln, NE and has also worked in Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Salt Lake City.

You may remember Randal lost his wife, JENNA, when she died suddenly last June at the age of 54.

He told me this morning he’ll do some traveling, including to Las Vegas where his daughter lives. It’s possible we may meet at a blackjack table.

Haddix

And DOUG HADDIX, Executive Director of IRE, has announced his resignation. He’ll leave the organization in early January after four years.

More details in this news release. The organization will begin a search for his replacement.

We’ll have all the week’s news in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

gevers

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

Greetings:

While there is only ONE new news director to report this week, it’s a big move, as TARA FINESTONE leaves KCBS for the ND job at KIRO-TV in Seattle.

And the vacancy she leaves at KCBS is one of THREE ND openings.

Those changes leave our list of open ND jobs at 26.

TWO of those openings are featured in Paid Help Wanted ads below.

We also have the full length of the National Edward R. Murrow Award winners, a new job for a former ND turned agent, and a reunion in Charlotte.

That’s all below.

Newly Named News Director:

Finestone

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA…TARA FINESTONE is returning to Seattle as ND for this Cox Media Group owned CBS affiliate. Tara was a producer at KIRO from 2000-2003. She’s spent the last 2 1/2 years as ND for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. (Of note: In Seattle, she will compete against the man who hired her as the Assistant ND at KCBS, BILL DALLMAN, now the ND at KOMO-TV) She’s also worked for two other LA stations and in Spokane, WA. Tara replaces JOHN LaPORTE who left after a year as ND to return to Milwaukee, where he’s the Assistant ND for WDJT-TV.

New News Director Openings:

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, CA…as we shared above, TARA FINESTONE is leaving this CBS owned station to return to KIRO-TV (Cox Media Group/CBS) as ND. She was ND here for about 2 1/2 years, and first joined the station as Assistant ND in 2016. Her replacement will be the fourth ND in just over five years here.

WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI…this Scripps owned FOX affiliate is gearing up to produce its own local newscasts. The station has been airing newscasts produced by WILX-TV, Gray’s ABC affiliate there. More details in this news release.

Lowell

KMID-TV, Midland, TX…veteran Texas news director DAVID LOWELL has exited the Nexstar owned ABC affiliate after three years as ND. He earlier spent 28 years as an ND in Beaumont. David’s also worked in Oklahoma City, Springfield, and Columbia MO. He tells me he plans to move to Austin, TX (where his grand children are) and look for something outside of TV.

Please note the paid ads below for the news director’s job at WAAY-TV in Huntsville, AL, and the VP/News opening at NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL:

WAAY-31 News is looking for a competitive, organized and motivational individual to lead the News Department of WAAY TV, Channel 31 (ABC) in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Huntsville, Alabama (DMA Market 78).

A background check and pre-employment drug screen are required.

Lead a team of dedicated individuals who will join their leader in focusing on development of the region’s premiere newsroom, rooted in journalistic integrity, at North Alabama’s ABC network affiliate. WAAY-TV is a legacy station with a history of service to the region, one of the most recognized local television brands in need of a strong, positive leader. Huntsville is known as “Rocket City,” home to space exploration, past and future with a heavy NASA presence, the U.S. Army’s highly respected Redstone Arsenal, high-tech development and ingenuity and home to the second-largest research park in the country. U.S. News and World Report designated Huntsville as the “best affordable place to live in the U.S.”

You can learn more and apply by clicking here.

Or you can apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and references to Jobs@waaytv.com

Or by mail to:

News Director Applicant
WAAY-TV
1000 Monte Sano Blvd.
Huntsville, AL 35801

No phone calls accepted. WAAY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our company expects top performance and results and provides the support and culture to win. WAAY believes that local television is rewarding and fun in a market that is rocket science! Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and 401K plans!

Vice President of News, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

Given the events happening in our world, local news is more vital than ever. It informs our community and helps people when other avenues for assistance are blocked. Which means the person leading a local newsroom must have vision, integrity, and an innovative spirit.

That’s who we’re looking for at NBC 10/Telemundo 62 in Philadelphia to become the stations’ next Vice President of News.

This NBC Owned Television Station seeks a dynamic and experienced news leader to guide its newsroom as it serves the tri-state area. Whether it’s breaking news at the top or an investigative piece diving deep into a local issue, this person will elevate the entire team to create compelling content and impactful engagement across linear and digital platforms.

We need someone who values storytelling and understands that Investigative, Weather, Breaking News, and Consumer stories help define our brand promise to our viewers, users and employees.

And, it doesn’t hurt that the station is located in the state-of-the-art Comcast Technology Center which features the most dynamic digital technology in the industry.

If you’re passionate about local journalism, have experience running a forward-thinking newsroom and leading a team of dedicated journalists – consider applying to be our next Vice President of News at the link below.

Apply here!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 9/27/20)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 9/6/20)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 8/23/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (relisted 10/4/11)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/20/20)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (listed 9/6/20)
WTXL, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/4/11)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Entertainment EP, new listing this week)
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (listing 9/27/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 8/9/20)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 9/13/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 9/13/20)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Listed 9/27/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP of Innovation, listed 8/30/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/20/20)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 9/20/20)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (listed 9/6/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted this week)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (PM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 9/27/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI (listed 9/27/20)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 9/20/20)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, listed 8/16/20)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Digital EP, new listing this week)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 8/16/20)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 8/16/20)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 10/4/20:

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)

Listed 9/6/20

WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)

Relisted 9/6/20

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)

Listed 8/23/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 8-16-20:

KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)

Names in the News (and other items):

Congratulations to ABC News, KMGH-TV (Scripps/ABC) and WTVR-TV (~~Nexstar~~Scripps/CBS) which won Overall Excellence Awards in this year’s RTDNA EDWARD R. MURROW awards. The complete (and lengthy) list of all the winners can be found here.

Bothwell

One time news director turned agent MIKE BOTHWELL has moved to Charlotte where he will be the Program Manager for Talent Acquisition for Spectrum Networks. Mike tells me he made the move to be closer to his parents and family in Charlotte. He’s a former ND in Harrisburg, PA, Steubenville, OH, and Bend, OR, and also worked in Pittsburgh (two stations) and Palm Desert, CA.

Otto

They’re putting the band back together in Charlotte, where CLAIRE OTTO joins WJYZ-TV (Nexstar/FOX) as the Assistant News Director. The move reunites her with ND CASEY CLARK. They held the same jobs at KCTV in Kansas City. Claire’s also worked for another Kansas City station, as well as Portland, OR, and Des Moines. Her entire career path is on her Linkedin page.

General Manager News and Notes:

No changes this week to my knowledge.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 11, 2020:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (see ad above!)
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WISN-TV 759 N. 19th St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 (see ad above!)
KXXV-TV 1909 S New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WSYM-TV 600 W. Saint Joseph St. Suite 47, Lansing, MI 48933
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WCBI-TV, 201 5th Street South, Columbus, MS 39701
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20. Odessa, TX 79763
WETM-TV 101 East Water St. Elmira, NY 14901
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001

**: Spanish language station

October 4, 2020

Greetings:

Still working on formatting with the new Constant Contact program. Made some progress but still ironing out some issues. Appreciate your understanding.

There are THREE new news directors this week and ONE news director.

That leaves our list of open ND jobs at 24. ONE of those 24 jobs is among our TWO Paid Help Wanted ads. And it’s at a network owned station in a top five market!

And there’s more, of course.

We have ONE obituary, ONE new GM, a new job for a reporter who’s moving into management, details about a new novel from a veteran ND, and a new head for SPJ.

And we’ll link to a report on how one major market station is trying to reinvent the late news.

That’s all below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Clapperton

WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL…DAWN CLAPPERTON has been promoted to VP/News for this NBC o-and-o. Here’s the news release. Dawn’s been the Assistant ND here since 2018. She joined WTVJ as EP/Investigations in 2015 and has also worked in Indianapolis, West Palm Beach, Las Vegas, South Bend, and for the A & E show Cold Case. Dawn replaces MIGDALIA FIGUEROA who was promoted to GM for sister NBC-Telemundo station WTMO-TV in Orlando.

Gutierrez

KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX…TIM GUTIERREZ has been named news director for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. He’s been working at another Nexstar station, KVEO-TV in Brownsville and earlier worked in Laredo, San Antonio, and Albuquerque. At KTSM, he replaces VICTOR VENEGAS who left the station in August after not quite two years as ND.

Lucas

WLFI-TV, Lafayette, IN…LON LUCAS has been named news director for the Allen Media owned CBS station. Details in this news release. Lon’s been the ND for WEEK-TV in Peoria for the last 2 1/2 years. When we told you in September Lon was leaving that job, we told you he wanted to be closer to family. And he’s achieved that goal. He replaces JEFF SMITH who left WLFI in May.

New News Director Opening:

Stein

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…this Allen Media Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate is looking for a new news director to replace MATT STEIN. Matt’s left the station after four years running the newsroom. He’s also worked in Memphis, Salinas/Monterey, CA, Seattle, Denver, Charlotte, and Syracuse.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN:

Meredith Corporation has an immediate opening for an E xecutive Producer. This is a great opportunity to be part of not only putting a quality product on the air, but creating a great work environment for employees. The Executive Producer oversees total quality control of WSMV assigned newscasts. This position manages a highly creative staff to ensure that writing style, content, and presentation meet station standards. The Executive Producer executes research and ratings strategies for the newscasts. The work performed is for all media platforms and initiatives, including on-air, website, app and social media. Prior experience is EP required.

WSMV is a NBC affiliate Nashville, Tennessee, owned and operated by the Meredith Local Media Group. Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com) has been committed to service journalism for more than 115 years. Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile, tablets and video – to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Meredith’s Local Media Group includes 17 television stations reaching more than 10 percent of U.S. households. Meredith’s portfolio is concentrated in large, fast-growing markets, with seven stations in the nation’s Top 25 – including Atlanta, Phoenix, St. Louis and Portland – and 14 in Top 60 markets. Meredith’s stations produce approximately 700 hours of local news and entertainment content each week, and operate leading local digital destinations.

Please visit https://www.meredith.com/careers

Meredith Corporation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.

Vice President of News, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

That’s who we’re looking for at NBC 10/Telemundo 62 in Philadelphia to become the stations’ next Vice President of News.

We need someone who values storytelling and understands that Investigative, Weather, Breaking News, and Consumer stories help define our brand promise to our viewers, users and employees.

And, it doesn’t hurt that the station is located in the state-of-the-art Comcast Technology Center which features the most dynamic digital technology in the industry.

Apply here!