April 5, 2015

Thursday, April 9, 2015 UPDATE:

A news director who has a most unusual background…and has gone through a most unusual last few months…is leaving his top 30 market ND job at the end of the rating period.

Bray

Bray

STEVE BRAY, who’s been the ND at Media General’s WISH-TV in Indianapolis, will leave this CW affiliate at the end of the May rating period. He just led the news department through an affiliation change: WISH lost its CBS partnership at the end of 2014 and is now a CW affiliate.

And his background is different than most: he first joined the station 20 years ago as a meteorologist and was promoted to Chief Meteorologist four years later, a title he’s held even while serving as ND. His Linkedin page has the whole story.

Steve told me he’s going to take the next few weeks to decompress and figure out the ‘next chapter’.

More on this…and all the latest news…in our full newsletter later this week.

I’ll be in Las Vegas for NAB and hope to see many of you there.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

This week’s newsletter comes from our home office in Indianapolis, just 1.25 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium, home of tomorrow night’s basketball championship game. Not sure if I’m going yet, but I did go last night, and the second game was pretty exciting.

Perhaps not quite as exciting, unless you’re one of the people involved, are the TWO newly named news directors in this week’s newsletter, or the THREE people who’re moving on, including the retirement of a long-time Indiana news director.

Those changes mean 28 stations are now looking for NDs.

We have TWO new paid help wanted ads, among a total of FOUR ads this week.

The Scripps/Journal merger is complete, and that means a shuffle of regional managers and THREE new GMs at the company’s stations. CBS is moving one of its o-and-o GMs to a new market, and Nexstar is promoting one of its GMs. Those stories are below, along with news about a former Macon News Director who’s been named Dean of the the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

WxMt-3-20-15

New News Director Openings:

Hilk

Hilk

WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN…after 8 1/2 years as ND for this Meredith owned NBC affiliate, MATTHEW HILK has left the station. His actual title was Director of News and Creative Services. Before moving to Music City, Matthew was the assistant news director for stations in Pittsburgh and Birmingham, a producer in Orlando, and a reporter in Louisville, Charleston, WV, and Oak Hill, WV.

KTNV, Las Vegas, NV…we told you earlier this week that KARIN MOVESIAN was leaving this now owned by Scripps ABC affiliate for a new job in St. Louis. More on that below. Karin was the ND here for almost eight years.

Neumann

Neumann

WPTA/WISE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN…longtime news director PETER NEUMANN will retire at the end of May after 31 1/2 consecutive years as a news director at just two stations. He’s been at the helm of this duopoly for 9 1/2 years, spent 21+ years running the news department of WEAR-TV in Pensacola, and two years at KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO. Peter’s also worked in Phoenix, Indianapolis, Alpena, MI, and Muncie, IN, where he attended Ball State University. He sent this nice note to his staff. Granite owns WPTA and runs WISE, (owned by Malara Broadcasting), and Quincy is in the process of buying them.

Newly Named News Directors:

Karen Movesian

Movesian

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO…KARIN MOVESIAN returns to her home market as the next ND here. (She’s a native of nearby Belleville, IL, and once worked at KMOV-TV here). Karin returns home from Las Vegas, where she’s spent the last eight years as ND for KTNV-TV. She’s also worked in Chicago (two stations), Detroit, Minneapolis, and San Antonio. Karin will replace MIKE SHIPLEY who will retire (from KSDK, not from working) once she’s settled. Mike’s been ND almost 15 years, and first joined the station in 1981 when I hired him as the night assignment editor. KSDK is an NBC affiliate owned by Gannett.

Weindel

Weindel

KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, (NBC Montana), Missoula, MT…JULIE WEINDEL returns to the ND chair to run this Bonten Media cluster of NBC affiliates. She’s been the Assistant ND here for the past six months, and has been an ND in Boise and Dayton. Julie’s also worked in Cincinnati and Tulsa. GM DICK REINGOLD (who’s being promoted to GM of the company’s WCTI-TV in New Bern, NC) sent this message to the staff. Julie replaces CHRIS GROGAN who’s been named Assistant ND for WSYX/WTTE-TV in Columbus, OH.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Khou Logo

Assistant News Director, KHOU-TV, Houston, TX:

This is a great opportunity to join a newsroom in a Top 10 market.

Houston is a culturally diverse city that has a lot to offer. It’s the 4th largest city in the nation…Home to the largest medical center in the world, the 2nd largest theatre district (trailing NYC), a unique museum district, and home to three professional sporting teams.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Executive Producer or senior-level manager ready to move up. Must have a current track record of crafting winning morning newscasts and leading talented people. This is an opportunity for a talented show leader who’s got what it takes to be an Assistant News Director. Line producing and show managing experience required. Five (5) to seven (7) years overall experience preferred.

For more information please click here to view job posting and how to apply.

CflNews13 Logo

Assignment Manager, Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL:

News 13 is looking for an experienced news manager to oversee the exciting logistics of daily news coverage.

Our Assignment Manager position is directly responsible for a staff of staff of 5 Assignment Editors but is also indirectly responsible for a staff of more than 60 journalists. This Executive Producer level management position reports to the News Director and collaborates with 7 other news department managers.

The successful candidate will be extremely organized, very familiar with large market news coverage strategy, and most importantly a leader who inspires and motivates journalists.

To apply for this position please click on this link:

Bright House Networks is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

KtsmLogo

News Director, KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX:

KTSM-TV, the NBC affiliate in the vibrant city of El Paso, TX is searching for an experienced, innovative leader with great news judgement, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to be the best. This is a great News Director opportunity in a great news market.

The successful candidate will lead the operation of a legacy news station and have the opportunity to build the department to reflect the changing newsroom model.

El Paso, TX is the 19th largest city in the U.S and one of the most livable cities in the country with over 300 days of sunshine each year. It rates 1st in lowest crime rate for four consecutive years in U.S. cities with over 500,000 people, 1st in Texas as its most affordable city, 3rd as the best city to raise a family and 4th as the best mid-size city for jobs.

For a detailed job description and to apply, please click here.

Wjcl Logo

Assistant News Director, WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA/Hilton Head, SC:

A great chance for you to join a great company! WJCL – the Hearst owned ABC affiliate in Savannah, GA/Hilton Head, SC – is looking for an Assistant News Director.

Savannah/Hilton Head is one of the top destinations in the nation that lives up to the hype with world class restaurants, sites, sounds and history as well as thriving modern amenities, communities and industries that are hiring. The Coastal Empire and Low Country have it all!

The successful candidate should have 2+ years of newsroom management experience, a varied background in the development & production of content and a willingness to help others grow.

Join a best-in-class broadcast company that is not afraid to invest in people or a place.

Just click here to learn more about the job and how to apply.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 3/22/15)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 3/7/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/7/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/29/15, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 3/22/15)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (listed 3/1/15)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (relisted 2/22/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 3/14/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 3/22/15)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/7/15)
WTVJ-TV, Miami, FL, (listed 2/1/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/14/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (2 openings, relisted 3/14/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, listed 3/29/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (2 openings, AM & Dayside, listed 3/29/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 2/15/15)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Morning EP, relisted 3/7/15)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 2/1/15)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 3/1/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 3/22/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 3/22/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 2/22/15)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 3/29/15, see ad above!)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 3/14/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 3/22/15)

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a 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.

Names in the News…and other things:

Kurpius

Kurpius

A former small market news director will be the next Dean of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. DAVID KURPIUS will take over this summer, replacing the aptly named DEAN MILLS who’s been the Dean there for 25 years. Kurpius is currently a professor of mass communication and associate vice chancellor for enrollment management at Louisiana State University, but earlier in his career he was a reporter, producer and then news director in Macon, GA. His Linkedin page is here, the school’s news release is here, and the local paper’s story can be found here.

General Manager News:

Now that the merger between Scripps and Journal Broadcasting has closed, there’s been a shuffle of regional managers and general managers, which means new GM at three of the company’s stations. Read all about it here.

BRIEN KENNEDY moves from one CBS o-and-o to another, as he takes over a GM for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. He’s been the GM for WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, and previously has been a GM in Phoenix, Miami, and Atlanta. More here.

THERESA UNDERWOOD has been promoted to Senior VP and Regional Manager for Nexstar. She’s been GM of the company’s WSYR-TV in Syracuse for 22 years.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, April 5, 2015.

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

WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KABC-TV 500 Circle Seven Drive Glendale CA 91201
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave. St. Paul MN 55114
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178 *
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
Central Florida News 13, 20 N. Orange Ave. Suite 13 Orlando FL 32801
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Rd. Nashville TN 37209
KENS-TV 5400 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio TX 78229
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
WDJT-TV 809 S. 60th St. Milwaukee WI 53214
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
WXII-TV 700 Coliseum Drive Winston-Salem NC 27106
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans 70116
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KTSM-TV 801 N. Oregon, El Paso, TX 79902 (see ad above!)
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WPTA/WISE-TV 3401 Butler Rd Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
WHSV-TV 50 North Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

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