December 12, 2021
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
It’s an UPDATY (that is not a real word, though apparently there is an app by that name) type of week, apparently, with THREE quick items for you in our THIRD update of the week.
The first comes from Detroit, where CBS has announced plans to launch a full fledged newscast. It is apparently the only major market network owned station which does not produce its own newscast. Here’s the news release from CBS. The station, branded as CBS 62 has done some attempts at news over the years: this Wikipedia page outlines many of them, and this story from The Detroit Free Press adds a little more perspective.
Antoniotti
There’s a Detroit connection in our next item from Kansas City. That’s where a second generation broadcaster will be the next general manager for Hearst’s KMBC-KCWE-TV (ABC/CW). JUSTIN ANTONIOTTI, who’s been a ND for Hearst in two markets, and a Hearst GM in two others markets, currently at WGAL-TV (NBC) in Lancaster, PA. The Detroit connection? Justin’s father, STEVE, was a longtime ND and GM in Detroit.
Justice
Finally, we’re a little tardy in telling you that WSYX/WTTE-TV (Columbus, OH, ABC/FOX) news director JAMIE JUSTICE has been promoted to a Group News Director position for station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group. She’s been the news director there for more than seven years and has worked in at the stations for almost 14 years. Jamie’s also worked in Cleveland (WOIO/WUAB-TV) and Savannah, GA (WSAV-TV).
As mentioned last night, I still expect one top 35 market job to be filled this week with a name many of you will recognize. We’ll dispatch an UPDATE when that happens.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, December 13, 2021 UPDATE #2:
Greetings:
A second UPDATE in a day usually means a big market (or big name) move, and that’s the case here.
Hoffman
There’s a new news director at KPHO/KTVK-TV (CBS-independent) in Phoenix. SYBIL HOFFMAN, a 19 year veteran of the station(s) has been promoted to news director for this newly-acquired-by-Gray duopoly. Here’s the staff memo from newly arrived General Manager DEBBIE BUSH. Debbie had been GM for sister Gray station WXIX-TV in Cincinnati before taking the Phoenix job.
Sybil came to KTVK in 2002 and moved up the ranks to other jobs, most recently serving as the Assistant News Director. She’s also worked in Norfolk, Greensboro-High Point, and Columbia, MO, where she was graduated from the University of Missouri.
Sybil’s promotion created a shuffle as another news manager moves up. TYSON MILANOVICH will replace Sybil as Assistant ND. He is an executive producer there. More about him in Debbie’s note above.
I expect one top 35 market job to be filled this week with a name many of you will recognize. We’ll dispatch an UPDATE when that happens.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, December 13, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
An interesting development today as a veteran news director takes a new job.
Salamone
DAN SALAMONE, who’s been one of Nexstar’s Directors of Local Content Development, has been named news director for the company’s Las Vegas station, KLAS-TV (CBS). Here’s the news release. In that news release, you’ll learn that he will continue to oversee the company’s participation in the conventions of the different minority groups.
Dan first joined Nexstar in 2016 as ND for WTEN-TV in Albany, NY, and moved to the corporate role in 2018. He’s a former ND in Detroit, Cleveland, Portland, OR, Albuquerque, and Providence. He also worked as an EP for WFLD-TV (FOX) in Chicago.
Dan replaces TERRI FOLEY who left the station in September after six years as ND and 35 years at the station, where she began in 1986 as a newsroom coordinator.
The station is (or about to be) without a GM, as LISA HOWFIELD announced her retirement in November after six years as GM. She’d earlier been a GM for the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas.
Dan’s appointment reflects some adjustments in the roles of Nexstar’s Directors of Local Content, of which, I believe, there were five. ANDY MILLER has returned to his former job as ND for WCIA-TV in Champaign, IL. I’m told that the others have new responsibilities that may involve less oversight of local stations.
More on this story and all the week’s news in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
Just ONE new news director to tell you about this week, and that move created the ONE and only new opening.
Our count of stations with ND openings stands at 41. FOUR of those stations are advertising the openings below.
Always pleased when there are no obituaries.
THREE items in our GM News and Notes section: A veteran GM is on the move, another veteran retires, while a third veteran, former GM takes a new job.
And my days as a police reporter for the New York Herald Tribune paid off this week in the Names in the News segment.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was never a police reporter for the Herald Tribune. (But it would have been fun.)
TWO of the stories in Names in the News are crime related, though, while the third involves a growing investigative unit for a large broadcaster.
Read on and we’ll see you next week.
Newly Named News Directors:
Fulmer
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH…we covered this week’s only opening in our Wednesday UPDATE: BARRY FULMER joins this Scripps owned ABC affiliate as Senior Director of Local Content (also known in many places as news director). More in this story from the WCPO website. He’s been ND for Block’s WDRB-TV (FOX) in Louisville for 17 years and has also worked in Philadelphia. Barry replaces MIKE CANAN who moved to a job with the Scripps Foundation. Mike spent two years as SDLC at WCPO, part of a 20 year career with Scripps.
New News Director Openings:
WDRB-TV, Louisville, KY…for the second consecutive week we have an ND opening in Louisville. We told you above that BARRY FULMER is headed to Scripps’ WCPO-TV (ABC) as Senior Director of Local Content. Barry was ND for this Block Communications owned FOX affiliate for 17 years.
Please note below TWO new Paid Ads for opening we’ve reported earlier: one for News 12 Long Island and the other for WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, News 12 Long Island, New York, NY:
The New York metro’s premiere 24/7 cable news operation is looking for an audience focused multi-platform news leader to deliver hyperlocal news to all of Long Island. This rare opening puts you in the suburbs of New York City without fighting the crowds and the commute.
This big city staff of 100+ is eager for an in-touch news director who balances breaking news and weather and beat driven news coverage with an inspirational and innovative style. Our next news leader will have a demonstrated strategic planning capability married with a commitment to advance planning, strong scheduling and digital/social media development.
Click here to learn more and apply.
We’re part of the Altice USA family, America’s fourth largest cable network and partners with Cheddar, the business focused cable channel.
Requirements of this position include demonstration of either full vaccination status against COVID-19 or company-provided weekly COVID-19 testing.
News Director, WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS:
Are you ready to work for a dominant station and experience what winning BIG feels like? Are you ready for your first News Director gig with a serious news station? Are you tired of chasing #1 with little to no resources?
WTVA, the Allen Media Broadcasting owned NBC and ABC affiliate in Tupelo-Columbus, MS (133), will take your career to a big market experience fast!
AMB is a company that believes in and invests in live, local news (9+ hours each weekday). WTVA has received 7 Emmys in the last 8 years!
Does your current employer invest in your career with training and consulting as if you were a network O & O? Allen Media does, and you could soon be working with Magid consultants who partner with us to improve our winning strategies.
You must be energetic, positive, passionate, competitive, possess strong motivational skills and exceed in recruiting, training and leading across generations.
We live in a cultural hotbed for internationally recognized music, art, and literature. Elvis was born here. BB King, Tennessee Williams and Faulkner, lived here. Grisham still does! 90 minutes from Memphis and near competitive SEC universities (Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State). The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high!
Interested? Just click here to learn more and apply.
EOE
Applicant must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law).
News Director, KXMB-TV, Bismarck, ND:
Become an ND in ND!
Nexstar Nation is looking for a News Director to lead our KX Television Network of stations in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The ideal candidate will be a coach and a teacher. You will lead an experienced team of anchors and meteorologists producing news from studios in Bismarck and Minot, North Dakota.
This is an incredible opportunity to earn your first News Director stripe or to come back to a region filled with opportunity and growth. You will be joining the largest TV station ownership group in the country where promoting from within is a real thing.
Live in a beautiful part of the country surrounded by heritage, history and the great outdoors!
Oh- and did I mention – Western North Dakota is the fastest growing DMA in the country moving from #160 to #141 since 2006.
You got big dreams? We have big opportunities. Great things are happening in Nexstar. What are you waiting for? Apply here:
News Director, KIMT-TV, Rochester, MN:
KIMT-TV is seeking the next leader of our Rochester, Minnesota newsroom.
This is an excellent opportunity to work for Allen Media Broadcasting, a progressive broadcast company with a winning attitude, while enjoying a diverse, Midwestern and rapidly-growing city, home to the renowned Mayo Clinic. We are passionate about local news, very competitive and thrive on new ideas and technologies.
Our News Director will be responsible for managing the newsroom, executing strategies that engage and grow audiences and provides strong news judgment and journalistic integrity. The ability to recruit, train and inspire young journalists is a must.
Candidates must have a broad understanding of newsroom operations, advanced oral and written communication skills and team-building skills. The ability to work in a high-stress environment and three to five years of previous newsroom oversight is required.
Allen Media Broadcasting offers a generous benefit and time-off plan.
To apply, please visit www.kimt.com or send cover letter and resume to: hr@kimt.com
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug test and a background screening. Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law.)
EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, listed 10/24/21)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 10/24/21)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake, UT (11/7/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 10/24/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted this week)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (new listing this week)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 10/24/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 10/3/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 10/10/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (new listing this week)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 12/5/21)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/5/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/28/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 11/28/21)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, listed 10/24/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (new listing this week)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/24/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, relisted this week)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (relisted this week)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted this week)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)
More News Management Openings:
New listing this week:
E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH: National Director of News Platform Strategies and Special Projects
Relisted this week:
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 12/5/21:
News Nation, Chicago, IL: (News Director – Digital)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)
Relisted 12/5/21:
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 11/28/21:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Listed 11/21/21:
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY: (Assistant Professor)
Relisted 11/21/21:
New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)
Relisted 10/31/21
Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)
Listed 10/24/21:
E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Director of Community Connection and Inclusive Journalism)
Names in the News:
Griffin
Federal law enforcement officers arrested CNN producer JOHN GRIFFIN on Friday. He’s been charged with three counts of attempting to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. CNN has suspended him according to this item on its website. Griffin’s Linkedin page says he’s the Senior Producer for New Day, the show anchored until recently by CHRIS CUOMO. Griffin has also worked for ABC, CBS, and FOX.
Kimmel
ELISABETH KIMMEL, whose family once owned KFMB-TV (CBS) in San Diego via Midwest Broadcasting, is headed to prison for six weeks, followed by one year of home detention. She’s the latest to be sentenced in this college admissions scandal. The San Diego Union Tribune reports that she will pay a $250,000 fine and perform 500 hours of community service.
Zurik
Gray Television has upped LEE ZURIK to Vice President- Investigations to oversee the company’s National Investigative Team. That team is based in New Orleans where Lee also anchors for Gray’s WVUE-TV (FOX). It’s part of an expansion of the team, as detailed in this news release.
General Manager News and Notes:
Hitchcock
Veteran General Manager JON HITCHCOCK is on the move, this time to Hubbard’s WNYT-TV (NBC) in Albany, NY. More here. Jon is currently the GM for Tegna’s WTIC-TV (Fox) in Hartford, a job he’s held since April, 2015. Before that he ran CBS’s KYW-TV in Philadelphia for six years and WTNH-TV (ABC) in New Haven, CT.
Harlan
KEVIN HARLAN is retiring after six years as general manager for Nexstar’s WMBD-TV (CBS) in Peoria. (He was also the GM here from 2002-2006.) He’s spent 40 years in our business, 25 as a GM or Managing Director. But what I found interesting is his side job. You’ll have to click on this story from the station’s website to find out about that.
Steinberg
GENE STEINBERG joins Marquee Broadcasting as Chief Operating Officer. Details in the company’s news release. Gene most recently was GM for KMIR-TV in Palm Springs, CA, had earlier been a GM for KMIZ-TV (ABC) in Columbia, MO, and…as his Linkedin page details…has worked in a number of other markets.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 12, 2021:
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
News 12 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797 (see ad above!)
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW. Atlanta, GA 30318
KPHO/KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento California 95815-5008 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas, NV 89109
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WDRB-TV 624 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, Ky. 40203
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd, Suite 7007 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WBAY-TV 115 S Jefferson St Green Bay, WI 54301
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
WTVG-TV 4247 Dorr St. Toledo, OH 43607
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320, Tupelo, MS 38802 (see ad above!)
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 (see ad above!)
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 (see ad above!)
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW Rochester, MN 55902
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503
**: Spanish language station