December 13, 2015
Greetings:
TWO new news director openings, both in large markets, top this week’s report. And there’s ONE newly hired news director to tell you about, leaving our list of open news director jobs at just 19.
There are FIVE Paid Help Wanted ads, all for news managers in a wide variety of markets.
In Names in the News, a new news recruiter for Scripps, the retirement of a longtime talent executive at Magid, a Spanish language group cancels morning newscasts at all its stations, and a promotion in Wichita.
We’ll also tell you about the deaths of a longtime Florida news director and anchor as well as that of a veteran Detroit sports producer. A ‘Celebration of Life’ has been scheduled for another longtime news director, and we have details about the unusual gift a former Iowa news director left in his will for his former newsroom.
Read on!
New News Director Openings:
Bruce
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX…we first told you earlier this week that PHILLIP BRUCE will leave his job here at the end of January. The staff memo is here. Phil’s been the ND here for almost five years. Before he joined this Tegna owned CBS affiliate, he was the Managing Director for NPR on the West Coast. He began his career as a reporter and anchor in a variety of markets before moving in to management. His full background is available on his Linkedin page.
Shafer
XETV, San Diego, CA…DON SHAFER has left this CW affiliate owned by Bay City Televison after just over two years as news director. Don’s a former ND at another San Diego station, and has also worked in Colorado Springs, Denver, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Flint/Saginaw, MI, and Tallahassee, FL. His replacement will be the third news director in just over three years here.
Newly Named News Directors:
Quartemont
KALB-TV, Alexandria, LA…AL QUARTEMONT returns to this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate as its next news director, replacing KEITH WEISS. Al worked here as an anchor from 2001-2012 before leaving to teach at Louisiana College. He’s also a former news director for WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, WI, and worked in Milwaukee. Keith left after six years here to become ND for WCYB-TV in the Tri-Cities market in Tennessee.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Assistant News Director, WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC:
Are you all about social and new media? Do you like change? And does “risk” mean “potential” in your vocabulary? Be part of a news team that’s changing and growing. If you have a passion for producing great journalism with an emphasis on watchdog and advocacy work, multi-platform news content, storytelling and innovation in a fast-paced atmosphere, WCNC-TV, a TEGNA company, in Charlotte, NC is the place to be as the Assistant News Director!
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), formerly Gannett Co., Inc., is comprised of a dynamic portfolio of media and digital businesses that provide content that matters and brands that deliver. TEGNA reaches more than 90 million Americans and delivers highly relevant, useful and smart content, when and how people need it, to make the best decisions possible. TEGNA Media includes 46 television stations (including those serviced by TEGNA) and is the largest independent station group of major network affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching approximately one-third of all television households nationwide. TEGNA Digital is comprised of Cars.com, the leading online destination for automotive consumers, CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital solutions, and other powerful brands such as G/O Digital and Sightline Media Group.
For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com
Managing Editor, WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH:
WHIO TV, the No. 1 CBS affiliate in the country, is seeking a Managing Editor to help craft and execute the strategic vision for the station’s content operations. This person will oversee daily news gathering, planning, budgeting and execution, and possess a keen understanding of news cycles for broadcast and digital platforms as well as a high level of news judgment. The ME leads teams of multi-platform talent while seeking new tactical strategies to simplify operations. They inspire and instill confidence in the staff, and foster teamwork and collaboration. The Managing Editor is responsible for performance and deadline obligations. College degree preferred along with a minimum of three years’ experience in TV news management. For full details on this opening click here:
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps. The company’s operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 57 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG currently operates in more than 20 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 30 million TV viewers, more than 3.5 million print and online newspaper readers, and more than 14 million radio listeners. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com
Cox Media Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer;
Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.
Morning Executive Producer, WFXT-TV, Boston, MA:
WFXT FOX25, the Cox Media Group owned FOX affiliate in Boston, seeks an Executive Producer who will oversee the station’s morning newscasts. The successful candidate will excel at maximizing a wealth of resources to own breaking news, overnight stories, traffic and weather coverage. The Executive Producer will ensure newscasts are fast paced with high value content and consistently executed off of key research points. The successful candidate must also understand news coverage on all platforms and use the station’s website, mobile apps and social media platforms to bring viewers to on-air newscasts.
A minimum of 7 years professional experience in local TV news is required for this job, and at least 3 years’ experience in a management role is preferred.
Email Resumes to bostonjobs@coxinc.com
Assistant News Director, KWWL-TV, Cedar Rapids-Waterloo, IA:
KWWL-NBC in Cedar Rapids-Waterloo, Iowa is seeking a take charge leader to help guide our news staff and manage our multi-platform news products. The chosen candidate will serve as a lead editorial decision maker for our TV, Web and Social Networking platforms. The Assistant News Director will oversee fast-paced newscasts and execute a vision for success in winning Weather, Breaking News and the Big Story every day.
You will help oversee our news operation and tracking stories throughout the day working with reporters on those stories. You will also work with producers and anchors to showcase and execute the presentation of newscasts. The Assistant News Director will have a creative vision for the use of writing, video, graphics and other production elements to tell great stories.
KWWL is a continuous news source with an ever immediate deadline mentality. You will oversee and be in constant contact with all involved in our news gathering and delivery process. You will be responsible for making immediate decisions on how stories and content will be presented where and when.
This position requires an urgency to get stories published on our web site and social media saturation.
Applicants must have 3 to 5 years producing experience with a strong desire to further their career in a management position.
To apply send your resume and link to a recent newscast/reel via email to: smoreland@kwwl.com or by postal mail to:
Shane Moreland
News Director
KWWL Television, Inc.
500 East Fourth Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Assistant News Director, WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA:
WTVM News Leader 9 / WXTX Fox 54 in Columbus, GA is seeking an experienced Assistant News Director and dynamic leader to help oversee a news team that has lead the market for decades. The ideal candidate will help lead a staff of producers, anchors, reporters, photographers, assignment desk editors and our digital team. The successful candidate must be a master of content; have at least one year experience as a newsroom manager (senior/executive producer or assistant news director); have proven motivation, delegation and people management skills; be able to create compelling stories and promotion for TV and digital; must be a great writer, outstanding communicator who is organized, can multi-task daily and be an excellent strategical planner for everyday tasks, including special projects.
The assistant ND will evaluate and critique employees and use research to build new strategies. A background in producing and/or reporting is a plus. Knowledge of ENPS and server-based workflow is a plus. He/she must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, extra hours, etc.
The ideal candidate will help establish a good record of recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse newsroom. He/she will have an unrelenting drive to win breaking news while aggressively using research and strategic actions to drive content and coverage that’s most important to our audience. We are looking for a hands-on team leader with the ability to institute and manage cultural growth across departments. Job responsibilities include managing daily news content across multiple successful platforms, constant recruiting, coaching and leadership of news staff, budget administration and strategic planning in collaboration with the News Director, General Manager and Marketing Director.
Qualified applicants, please apply online and attach your resume and links to your work. No phone calls.
EOE-M/F/D/V
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 11/15/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 10/18/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo/Cedar Rapids, IA (relisted 12/6/15, see ad above!)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/18/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 12/6/15, see ad above!)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 11/1/15)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, listed 11/8/15)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 11/1/15)
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (AM EP, listed 12/6/15, see ad above!)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 11/8/15)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing revised 11/8/15)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC (listed 10/4/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, relisted 11/22/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, listed 11/8/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (2 openings, AM & PM, listing revised 12/6/15)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 11/1/15)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Morning EP, listed 11/22/15)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, new listing this week)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Morning EP, listed 11/22/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/8/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (relisted this week)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (new listing this week, see ad above!)
Obituaries:
JOE MOORE, a former news director and long time anchor at WJHG-TV in Panama City, FL, died this week. Joe was 72. We told you last week that Joe had suffered a stroke. The local newspaper remembers him and reports on his funeral here.
REGGIE HALL, a longtime sports producer at Detroit’s WXYZ-TV in Detroit, died this week of injuries suffered in a automobile accident. He had just turned 58 the week before. More here.
DOUG RETHERFORD, the longtime news director for KWQC-TV in Davenport, IA, who died last month, had an unusual gift for his former station in his will. The details are here.
Friends and family will hold a ‘Celebration of Life’ for former news director TOM HAUFF early next year. We told you last month that Tom, a former news director in Orlando, Milwaukee, and Tampa had died of esophageal cancer. As the graphic below shows, it will be held Saturday, January 23. It’s in Orlando…contact Tom’s friend JOE ROVITTO for the details: rovitto@aol.com
Situations Wanted:
We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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:
Mahaney
CHIP MAHANEY has been named National Director of News Recruitment for Scripps. This news release explains his new responsibilities. He’s worked for Scripps for more than seven years, mostly on the digital side. Chip’s a former ND in Richmond, and worked in Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Austin, TX, beginning his career in sports. Chip also spent four years working for the BASYS computer company. Click here to learn more about his background.
Frye
For those who missed our note earlier this week, BARBARA FRYE is retiring after 38 years at Magid. Her current title is VP/Talent Placement Services: in that role she aided the careers of hundreds of broadcasters, both on and off-air. Many of those she helped probably never knew of her involvement. Earlier in her career she worked at Channel 13 in Indianapolis, where she worked with DAVID LETTERMAN. Barb’s stepping down at the end of the year. She’d welcome your friendly note to: barbarafrye600@gmail.com
Seebold
She’ll be replaced at Magid by JULIE SEEBOLD. Julie’s worked for the company for the past five years as a consultant. Julie’s a former ND in Cedar Rapids, where she also worked as an EP and producer. She also worked for two years in Mason City, IA.
Entravision has cancelled the morning newscasts at its stations. More details in this story from Media Moves. In addition, KMCC-TV, the Mundo Max station in Las Vegas has closed its news department.
EVERETT CARLISLE has been promoted to Nightside EP at KWCH-TV in Wichita. He had been the weekend producer. He’s also worked in Amarillo, TX.
General Manager News:
For the second consecutive week, no moves to report that I am aware of. We always welcome your news via email to rick@rickgevers.com
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, December 13, 2015.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
KHOU-TV 1945 Allen Parkway Houston TX 77019
KPHO/KTVK-TV, 5555 N 7th Ave. Phoenix AZ 85013
KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
XETV 8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego 92111
WLWT-TV 1700 Young St. Cincinnati OH 45210
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Drive Las Vegas NV 89014
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt St. Rochester, NY 14610
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
KADN/KLAF-TV 123 Easy St. Lafayette LA 70506
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd, West Monroe, LA 71292
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601
* Spanish language station