August 26, 2018
Greetings:
THREE up, THREE down is a baseball term for a quick inning.
THREE new news directors, THREE new open positions is the tally of this week’s news director movement. FIVE of the SIX changes are in top 25 markets.
Our list of open ND jobs remains at 27.
ONE of those 27 openings is among our FOUR paid help wanted ads this week.
There’s updated information for a remembrance of the late DEANA REECE, who died earlier this month. She was the ND for WTWO-TV in Terre Haute. And we have an obituary for a two time Louisiana ND.
Several items in Names in the News AND our GM moves section.
Read on!
Newly Named News Directors:
We shared each of this week’s changes in UPDATES earlier this week.
Neerman
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA…MARK NEERMAN returns to the Bay Area as news director for this CBS o-and-o. He’s spent the last 3+ years as ND for KSNV-TV in Las Vegas, the Sinclair owned NBC affiliate, where he also held regional responsibilities for Sinclair. Here’s the note Mark sent his staff. Earlier in his career Mark was the Assistant ND for KNTV in San Francisco/San Jose. He’s also been an ND for another Vegas station, and in Louisville and Richmond, and has worked in Portland, OR, Miami, and Columbia, MO. He replaces DAN ROSENHEIM who is retiring after 18 years as ND there.
Boslow
KARE-TV, Minneapolis, MN…STUART BOSLOW moves north but stays within Tegna as he becomes Director of Content for this NBC affiliate. Stuart’s been the Assistant ND at Tegna’s KSDK-TV in St. Louis. His move was one of THREE news management changes at the station, as outlined in this story from its website. JANE HELMKE stepped down in February after 6 1/2 years as ND and 35 years at the station.
Simons
KATU-TV, Portland, OR…congratulations to YVONNE SIMONS who returns to the ND chair at this Sinclair owned ABC station. She’s been the Assistant ND at KOVR/KMAX-TV in Sacramento for the past four years. Earlier she’d been the ND for KBOI-TV in Boise, ID. Yvonne’s career started in on-air jobs before moving to management, as you’ll learn here. She replaces KYANN LEWIS who left in May after 3+ years as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Kline
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ…CHRIS KLINE has resigned as the ND for this Scripps’ ABC affiliate. Chris told me he “should be able to share more about what he’s moving to next very soon”. GM ANITA HELT told the staff that Chris’ departure had been in the works for several months. He’s been at the station for eleven years, first as a reporter, then moving to web producer, to executive producer, and to Director of New Media.
KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, PA…ANNE LINABERGER has left this CBS o-and-o where she’s been ND for eight years (and worked there for 19.) Anne earlier worked for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh for seven years, and WTAE Radio for three years before that. She began her career in Bridgeport, VA. Her departure marks the EIGHTH change at a CBS owned station in the last ten months.
THREE left for new jobs, there was ONE promotion, ONE retirement, and THREE involuntary separations.
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV…as noted above, MARK NEERMAN is leaving this Sinclair owned NBC affiliate for the bright lights of San Francisco and the ND job at KPIX-TV.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WOWT-TV, Omaha, NE:
Gray Television owned WOWT (NBC) in Omaha, NE is seeking a dynamic News Director to lead our legacy station to the #1 spot in the market.
WOWT is a modern facility equipped with state of the art technology, and with our leading broadcast news we provide award winning local news coverage, dedicated community service, and effective marketing solutions for area businesses.
Omaha is one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest with a strong market support by several national industries. The Omaha area boasts an array of top attractions that can’t be matched, from the World Famous Henry Doorly Zoo, to the NCAA Men’s College World Series. Omaha is popular for our downtown which is home to a revitalized riverfront and the Historic Old Market.
We are looking for a News Director who will be responsible for overseeing our content and day to day operations. The ideal candidate will possess newsroom leadership experience, a proven track record of success, meter market experience, and a vision for taking an award winning news product to an exceptional level. Must be a strong competitive leader with excellent communication skills, a successful track record in coaching and developing news staff, and growing audience across all platforms. The candidate must also demonstrate an understanding and enthusiasm for evolving digital, social and mobile media.
If you have the experience, talent and skills necessary to effectively lead, mentor, and motivate an outstanding group of journalists and news professionals please apply.
Please apply online by clicking here.
Assistant News Director, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO:
Have a passion for innovation and the ability to motivate a team to produce compelling content on air, online and on social media?
Then 5 On Your Side, the award-winning NBC affiliate in St. Louis, has an opportunity for you! We have an immediate opening for an Assistant News Director who can oversee our daily news operation, collaborating with the News Director and other news managers to make the most of our resources to win the day and grow audience.
The ideal candidate must be a creative thinker who understands what it means to “own” the big story, be the market leader in enterprise storytelling, and incorporate meaningful social conversation into everything we do. You’ll also help the News Director with the development and execution of long-term newsroom strategy.
Special projects experience is a plus. Prior newsroom management experience is a must.
If this sounds like the job for you, contact KSDK News Director Tiffani Lupenski at tlupenski@ksdk.com
Senior Digital Producer, WTTG-TV, Washington, DC:
Fox 5 WTTG News, Washington DC the #1 News Station and most hours of local news is looking for a Sr. Digital Producer to supervise daily news coverage across all digital platforms.
Responsible for overseeing all daily editorial decisions and presentation of content on web, mobile, and social platforms. Assist Web Producers with creating and publishing text stories, video, photos, streaming of newscasts, breaking news and live news events whenever necessary. Ensure efficient delivery of breaking news content across all digital platforms in real-time. Facilitate gathering of compelling, timely digital content using information from various sources and contacts. Oversee the station’s social media strategy, including promotion of overall brand and talent. Develop and maintain special coverage sections and platform-specific content, both for planned events and breaking news. Maintain digital editorial calendar.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: BA/BS Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or related field with emphasis on digital publishing. 5+ years’ experience developing and publishing news content for digital platforms. Superior writing skills and news judgment. Advanced knowledge of content management systems, social media platforms, live streaming, digital analytics tools and emerging digital technologies. Working knowledge of HTML, video editing and photo editing software. Experience publishing and maintaining podcasts a plus. Ability to handle multiple demands and competing priorities simultaneously in a strict, deadline-oriented environment. Ability to work under pressure as a cohesive member of a team. Must work effectively and courteously with all other departments.
Click here to apply.
Planning Editor, WTTG-TV, Washington, DC:
Fox 5 WTTG News, Washington DC the #1 News Station and most hours of local news is looking for a Planning Editor to plan segments, news coverage and produce content for all newscasts.
Work closely with executive producers, producers, reporters and anchors to ensure that segments and stories are enterprise and accommodated in newscasts. Daily duties include researching story ideas, booking guests, conducting interviews, and producing stories, segments and producing up the screen for all newscasts. Understand the logistics of the assignment desk and the needs of a newscast through a producer’s eyes. Work with web site in developing stories, segments and projects to work in conjunction with newscasts. Responsible for gathering story info from various news sources and determining the newsworthiness. Make decisions on stories to cover that will be timely, news worthy and break news on our broadcast and digital platforms. Have the ability to alter segments as newsbreaks and changes. Keep news staff apprised of breaking news and changes in assignments. Communicate with affiliates to ensure continuity in coverage. Coordinate coverage of special events.
College degree in broadcast journalism or other related field.
Previous assignment desk and/or producing experience preferred. Must be well organized and able to manage multiple projects. Must demonstrate outstanding news judgment and good news writing skills. Must be able to deal effectively with people, and work well in a fast-paced environment. Working knowledge of newsroom computers and the Internet.
Overtime, holidays and varied hours required.
To apply, click here.
News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 7/29/18)
WSNS-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 8/19/18)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 8/12/18)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 7/15/18)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 8/19/18)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WLOS-TV, Asheville, NC (relisted 8/19/18)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 7/1/18)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 6/24/18)
KYTX-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 7/1/18)
KION-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA (listed 8/19/18)
WALB-TV, Albany, GA (listed 8/5/18)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 7/29/18)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, relisted this week)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, listed 7/1/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, relisted 7/8/18)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (Senior EP, listed 7/1/18)
KARE-TV, Minneapolis MN (listed 7/22/18)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (2 jobs, Special Projects & PM EP, listing revised 7/15/18)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 7/1/18)
WOIO-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 8/5/18)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 8/19/18)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listing modified 7/15/18)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (PM EP, new listing this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (TWO openings, AM & PM, new listing this week)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 7/1/18)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM & PM EPs, relisted 8/19/18)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 7/15/18)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Senior EP, listed 7/8/18)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (THREE EP openings, listed 7/8/18)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 7/1/18)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 8/19/18)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 7/22/18)
WKOW-TV, Madison, WI (Senior EP, relisted 7/22/18)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 7/1/18)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 8/12/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 8/19/18)
OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
Listed this week:
WBTV, Charlotte, NC (Digital Content Manager)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 8/19/18:
E.W. Scripps, Denver, CO (Director of National News Content)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (Senior Digital Producer, see ad above!)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (Planning Editor, see ad above!)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (Mgr. of Investigative and Enterprise Content)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (Digital Content Manager)
Obituaries:
Reece
There’s some new information about both a memorial service and suggested charities in memory of the late DEANA REECE, whose sudden passing we reported to you last week. Deana spent the last five years as ND for WTWO-TV in Terre Haute, IN. Details about a planned graveside service and memorial choices are in this updated obituary.
UPDATED Monday, August 27, 2018:
Korbel
We now have a complete obituary for JOHN KORBEL which you can find here. Services will be held this Thursday, August 30th, in New Orleans.
JOHN KORBEL, who had been a news director in both KATC-TV (Lafayette, LA) and KVHP-TV (Lake Charles, LA) died Saturday at the age of 76 75. He suffered from cancer. John also taught at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. KATC posted this remembrance. And the only obituary I could find said services were not scheduled yet.
Names in the News (and other items):
There are TWO management promotions within Scripps to report.
At WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, NICOLE BUCKLEY was promoted to Investigative Manager from executive producer.
And at WPTV in West Palm Beach, MELISSA DART has been bumped up to Assistant News Director.
General Manager News and Notes:
And there are TWO GM moves (both in the state of Missouri) …and ONE station manager appointment to share.
At KTVI/KPLR-TV (the Tribune owned Fox/CW duopoly in St. Louis), SPENCER KOCH will retire October 1st after 23 years. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more.
And MATT GARRETT has been promoted to General Manager of KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, MO, owned by the University of Missouri. He’s been at the station for 29 years and has been the interim GM since MARTY SIDDALL retired last November after 18 years in the job.
On the station manager front, DENISE McMANUS moves to that job at McKinnon-owned independent KUSI-TV in San Diego. She’s worked at stations in Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit and Phoenix.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 26, 2018:
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
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WGN-TV, 2501 West Bradley Place, Chicago, IL 60618
KXAS-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76155
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KNXV-TV 515 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave., Seattle WA 98121
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KDKA-TV 420 Fort Duquesne Blvd., #100 Pittsburgh, PA 15222
WTNH-TV 8 Elm St. New Haven CT 06510
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway, KS 66205
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas, NV 89101
WWMT-TV 590 W Maple St, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk, VA 23510
KOTV 303 N. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74103
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main St, Dayton, OH 45409
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WOWT-TV 3501 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131 (see ad above!)
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens Street, Suite 600, Columbia, SC 29201
KKTV 520 E. Colorado Colorado Springs, CO 80903
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323 Tyler, TX 75701
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KIII-TV 5002 South Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301
WABG-TV 849 Washington Ave. Greenville MS 38701
**: Spanish language station