December 8, 2019
Thursday, December 12, 2019 UPDATE:
Greetings:
We always delight in reporting the ascension of a news director to a general manager’s job, and that’s the case today.
Chapuis
ED CHAPUIS, a veteran ND, is being promoted within Scripps to become GM for KSBY-TV, the company’s NBC affiliate in San Luis Obispo, CA. Details in this news release.
Ed already speaks ‘Californian’, as his last FOUR news director jobs have been in The Golden State (not bad for a Chicago native). That includes his current gig at Scripps’ KGTV in San Diego, a job he’s held since September, 2017.
Before that, he ran newsrooms in Oakland/San Francisco and at two stations in Sacramento. He’s also been the ND for KTNV in Las Vegas, now owned by Scripps (though it wasn’t when he was there.)
He began his TV career at Chicago’s WMAQ-TV as a researcher and on the assignment desk.
At KSBY, he replaces another former ND turned GM, KATHLEEN CHOAL, who was promoted to be GM for Scripps’ KSHB-TV (NBC) in Kansas City.
Much more in our full newsletter later this weekend.
regards,
gevers
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 UPDATE:
Greetings:
TWO significant developments in our world today.
Sinclair Broadcasting will discontinue its ‘must-run’ political commentaries done by BORIS EPSHTEYN and AMESHIA CROSS. According to this story from NBC News, the company says it’s part of a move away from political commentary in favor of investigative journalism.
And THREE local stations won FOUR Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards today.
Congratulations to KARE-TV (Tegna/NBC) in Minneapolis which won TWO, and to WSOC-TV (Cox/ABC) in Charlotte and WKBW-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Buffalo.
Details on the efforts that won these awards, as well as the entire list of winners, can be found here.
More in our full newsletter later this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
It’s not unusual for the first week in December to be busy and 2019 is no exception.
We have SIX new openings, and just TWO new news directors (both of whom have been NDs before.)
Our count of open ND jobs: 29.
There’s a paid help wanted ad for ONE of those jobs and TWO other ads for large market management jobs.
We’re sorry to share the news of the sudden death this weekend of a longtime Connecticut anchor and the passing (in October) for a former Illinois ND.
Be sure to check out our Names in the News section for a number of interesting stories, and we have details about the naming of TWO GMs, one who is taking his SEVENTH GM job.
All that…and much more…below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Waggoner
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO…MATT WAGGONER will start later this month as the next news director for this Scripps’ owned ABC NBC affiliate. General Manager KATHLEEN CHOAL shared the email she sent her staff. For the last year, Matt’s been the ND for WTTV/WXIN-TV (CBS/FOX) duopoly in Indianapolis, which has just been acquired by Nexstar. He’s also worked in Seattle, Portland and Phoenix and replaces CARRIE HOFMANN who left in May after six years as ND.
Ehrhart
WDTV, Bridgeport, WV…JOHN EHRHART is the new ND for this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate. He most recently had been the ND for Gray’s KCWY-TV in Casper, WY, an 12+ year assignment which ended this summer when Gray consolidated the news department with sister station KGWN-TV in Cheyenne. More on John’s background here. At WDTV, he replaces ADAM PLYLER who joined sister Gray station WSAZ-TV in Huntington, WV as Assistant ND.
New News Director Openings:
Parcell
WFTV, Orlando, FL…MATT PARCELL‘s retirement from this job as ND for this Cox owned (for now) ABC affiliate was one of several items in our weekend UPDATE. HAL BOEDEKER of The Orlando Sentinel offers more. Matt’s a 22 year veteran of the station who’s been ND for the past seven years. He’s also worked in Columbus, OH, Charleston, SC (where he moved into management) and as a reporter in Temple, TX.
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN…we told you above that MATT WAGGONER is leaving this Nexstar duopoly for the ND job at KSHB-TV in Kansas City. He was ND here for just one year.
WBFF-TV, Baltimore, MD…MIKE TOMKO will leave this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate by the end of the year for a job outside of television. Mike has been the ND here since 2012 having joined the station in 2002 as an EP. He’s a former ND in Sioux City whose first job was in Lincoln, NE, as an MMJ.
Parker
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR…DAVE PARKER has left this Tegna owned CBS affiliate after almost seven years as news director. He’s also been an ND in Chattanooga, and has held senior management positions in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Memphis, where he transitioned into management after beginning his career as a reporter and anchor in several smaller markets.
Fobe
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA…KYLE FOBE is leaving this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate after two years as news director to return to South Bend, IN, where his career started at WBND-TV while he was still attending Ball State University. (I don’t know what he’ll being doing in South Bend. Will update this story if/when I find out.) Before Altoona, Kyle spent one year as an EP for KVVU-TV in Las Vegas.
Ohnemus
KULR-TV, Billings, MT…this Cowles owned NBC affiliate has a posting for an open ND job on its website. My records show that PHILLIP OHNEMUS has been the ND here since 2015 following an almost 13 year stint in a variety of roles at WIAT-TV in Birmingham.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN:
Join Nexstar Nation in Market #25-Indianapolis as News Director leading our two stations there to success.
Lead WXIN and WTTV in this unique opportunity. Run a duopoly with two separate and unique news teams and brands for our FOX and CBS stations. You will be home to the wealth of programming that comes with that rare combination.
Plus, Indianapolis is a great city (just ask Rick Gevers), with the state capital, a vibrant downtown, professional and college sports, and it’s the motor racing capital of the world.
Need more? How about extensive recreational opportunities and a low cost of living? Yes, we have that, too. What could be better?
Here’s what you’ll do: Manage all aspects of the News Department
* Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department.
* Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees.
* Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website. This will include major sports coverage and team partnerships at the local and national levels, and coverage of events airing on each network as well as locally originated coverage
* Critiques newscasts daily to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
* Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met.
* Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals.
* Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming.
* Responds to coverage questions.
* Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
Executive Producer, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia:
WCAU in Philadelphia is seeking a dynamic leader who can motivate a skilled team of reporters, producers and photographers.
Duties:
Leads reporters, producers and photojournalists.
Collaborates with all divisions of NBC News for special events planning as well as day-to-day coverage.
Works closely with Creative Services to craft promotions that attract a wide audience.
Must embrace a fast-paced, highly-graphic, visual storytelling process.
Ability to multitask and work with changing priorities.
Impeccable communications abilities with both internal and external constituents.
Basic Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience leading writers, producers and show creation.
Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism or equivalent experience.
Demonstrated Leadership and Management
Strong editorial judgment as well as the ability to respond and make decisions in a breaking news situation for coverage across multiple platforms.
Experience in script approval, with strong editorial judgment.
Proven team player.
Click here to apply for this role.
NBCUniversal’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.”
Assistant News Director, KUSI-TV, San Diego:
KUSI-TV a leading Independent News Station in the Country and San Diego’s Local Leader is looking for a dynamic Assistant News Director.
This position will provide leadership and will execute objectives for KUSI News in San Diego, the eighth largest city in the country. This position plays a leading role in all editorial meetings, lead producer rundown meetings, assisting in the management of the stations’ news operations, establishing goals and directing the staff that produces 9 1/2 hours of local news daily.
This position will be responsible for managing content delivery for all broadcasts, scheduling of all newsroom personnel, and direct content generation to web and mobile platforms.
Position works closely with senior management to establish news content and review daily newscasts to ensure quality control and brand compliancy, subsequently provide feedback to all news staff, especially Producer staff. Will provide the focus for the content to their reporting team, train them to authenticate information through proper research and provide training about how to write or produce material that will be compelling and appropriate for their intended audience. They oversee the distribution of this content through the platforms they work with, and they help ensure that their team meets production deadlines.
Assist with recruiting and hiring for news department personnel. Collaborate with other managers to develop marketing plans, establish ratings goals, and effectively reach said goals.
Please apply for the position by clicking here.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown, MD (listed 11/3/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week, see ad above!)
WACH-TV, Columbia SC (listed 11/10/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 11/17/19)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted this week)
KRCG-TV, Jefferson City, MO (relisted 11/24/19)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 11/17/19)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTKTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/20/19)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 11/10/19)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, relisted 10/20/19)
Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (listed 11/24/19)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 10/20/19)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 11/17/19)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, relisted 12/1/19)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/20/19)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (Dayside EP, relisted 12/1/19)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (2 openings, EP and Digital EP revised 11/17/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 9/8/19)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 9/29/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, listed 10/13/19)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 10/13/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 10/6/19)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (AM EP, listed 9/8/19)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/10/19)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 11/3/19)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listing revised this week)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (new listing this week)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 10/27/19)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (relisted 10/20/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (listed 10/13/19)
WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV (relisted 11/17/19)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (new listing this week)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 12/1/19)
KNSD-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/13/19)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 11/17/19:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Content Manager)
Obituaries:
D’Ascenzo
We normally limit our coverage to news about GMs and news managers, but the sad news Saturday about the sudden passing of longtime WFSB-TV (Hartford, CT) anchor DENISE D’ASCENZO merited a mention. She died at her home at 61, following a 30+ year career at this Meredith owned CBS affiliate. She also worked in Cleveland and St. Louis. Our sympathy to her family and WFSB’s GM DANA NEVES, ND KEITH CONNORS and the rest of the staff.
McMullin
A long ago Illinois news director died last October. ROBERT DON McMULLIN was 89. This obituary is pretty brief, but the man who succeeded him at WCIA-TV in Champaign, PAUL DAVIS provided a little more background via email:
Robert Don McMullin was news director anchor at WCIA from 1963 to 1967. I succeeded Don. He went to the Avco group, first in Indy then group n.d. for Avco, the old Crosley. Died at aged 89 on Oct 1. He was born in Calumet City. His wife Marian and two daughters and grand kids survive. Best I cam recall, Rick.
Thanks, Paul.
Names in the News (and other items):
The Los Angeles Times has two stories on issues involving the workplace at two CBS owned stations, KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and WFOR-TV in Miami.
Duhamel
One time Rapid City news anchor and news director HELENE DUHAMEL has been tabbed to fill a vacant seat in the South Dakota state senate.
STEVE ACKERMANN, who’s doing some work for the University of Missouri School of Journalism in his post-Raycom career, details changes to the curriculum at that world famous school. (Regular readers already now I’m an alum, but I believe in full disclosure.)
Wright
Longtime newsman (and former ND in New York and Houston) WILL WRIGHT tells me he’s retiring. He explains in this email. Don’t know Will? Your loss. His Linkedin page details his entire background which covers time in local and network television.
Former San Diego News Director IRV KASS updates us on his continuing cancer battle in the latest edition of his blog.
General Manager News and Notes:
Rogala
RICK ROGALA returns to television and a GM job as he takes over Tegna’s newly acquired Memphis duopoly, WATN/WLMT-TV. He’s familiar with the stations as he oversaw them when he was working as a Senior VP for Nexstar. Rick’s been a general manager in Tampa, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Little Rock.
Jackson
Nexstar has promoted PAULA JACKSON to general manager of WJHL-TV in the Tri-Cities market. More details here. She’s worked at the station in a variety of sales roles for more than 20 years, most recently as General Sales Manager. She’s a lifelong resident of Jackson, TN.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 8, 2019:
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
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
WFTV 490 E. South St., Orlando, FL 32801
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTTV/WXIN-TV 6910 Network Place Indianapolis, IN 46278 (see ad above!)
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave Norfolk, VA 23510
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria Tulsa, OK 74105
KTHV-TV 720 S Izard St, Little Rock, AR 72201
WDBJ-TV 2807 Hershberger Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24017
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Road Madison, WI 53719
KGAN-TV 600 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
WTAJ-TV 5000 6th Ave # 1, Altoona, PA 16602
KLKN-TV 3240 S 10th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave, Medford, OR 97504
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Road West Monroe, LA 71292
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
WCAV-TV 999 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
**: Spanish language station
WABI-TV, Bangor, ME…lots of changes at this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. JIM MORRIS who’s been ND and anchor since 2000 is retiring. JON SMALL will replace him as ND, and CATHERINE PEGRAM will replace him as the Assistant ND. Both Jon and Catherine will continue their anchor roles. The full story, with more background on Morris’ career, 
