December 19, 2021
Thursday, December 23, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Gray moved quickly to fill an opening at its Charlotte station, and we have an obituary for a long ago news director turned salesman turned Catholic Church Deacon.
Kelleher
MOLLY KELLEHER will start her new job as news director for WBTV (CBS) on January 8, 2022. Here’s the official news release. She’s been at WBTV for seven years, first as executive producer, and, in 2019, when she was promoted to Assistant News Director. Molly’s also worked in Reno, Bangor, ME, Pasco, WA, and KOLD-TV in Tucson, where she was an EP.
At WBTV, Molly replaces KIM SAXON. We told you Tuesday that Kim was moving to sister Gray CBS affiliate WGCL-TV in Atlanta after 17 years at WBTV, the last 2 1/2 as news director.
Von Ende
We’ve learned of the death of former Detroit ND MIKE VON ENDE, who also worked in Minneapolis as a reporter and in Hartford as a manager. Some may remember him as one of the “Michaels” of Michaels Media, where he teamed with his friend MICHAEL BILLE. Michaels Media sold a variety of syndicated news products.
Michael Bille shared this remembrance of his friend and former partner, who later became a Deacon in the Catholic Church.
Mike had suffered a series of mini-strokes over the few years. He was 77.
This obituary has more details, including funeral arrangements and a suggestion for memorial contributions.
Mike was a very nice man in a business which could use more of them. I’m sorry our paths had not crossed in many years.
Our sympathy to his wife BEV and their daughters.
We’ll be back this weekend with our full newsletter.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 UPDATE #2:
Greetings:
The top 35 market ND hire that I’ve been promising for two weeks is now official and…it appears you can go home again.
Germano
At least that’s the case for MICHELLE GERMANO, who returns to her home town as news director for Sinclair’s WOAI-TV (NBC). Here’s the memo to staff from General Manager DEAN RADLA. Michelle has been serving as a temporary news director for several stations since leaving WTVD-TV (ABC owned) in Raleigh-Durham in July, 2020, after five years as ND.
Before Raleigh, Michelle spent 15 years at KOLD-TV in Tucson, the last 12 as ND. She’s also worked in Houston and Corpus Christi, TX.
Mendoza
At WOAI, she replaces MANDI JOHNSTON MENDOZA who left in September and is now Director of Media Production for USAA in San Antonio. She was ND at WOAI for almost four years and worked there for 18.
I am not aware of any other pending moves this week. If you get another UPDATE from me, you’ll be as surprised as I will be.
See you this weekend!
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
The second largest market news director opening has been filled with a longtime Charlotte newswoman.
Saxon
KIM SAXON will join Gray’s WGCL-TV (CBS) in Atlanta as its next news director on January 18th. Here’s the staff memo from GM ERIK SCHRADER. Kim’s been the ND for sister Gray CBS affiliate WBTV in Charlotte since April, 2019, and is a 17 year veteran of the station. She began at WBTV as a producer in 2004 and has also been an EP and Assistant ND there.
Kim’s Linkedin page also reflects four years in the Air Force as a broadcaster.
At WGCL, she replaces MATT KING who left in October after 18 months as ND.
She becomes the NINTH news director in 13 years at WGCL, but all those previous changes came under Meredith ownership.
I still expect one top 35 market job to be filled this week (I know, I keep telling you that) with a name many of you will recognize. We’ll dispatch an UPDATE when that happens.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
A busy week! It appears folks are trying to finalize hiring decisions before the holidays.
There are SIX new news directors to introduce you to, while we have THREE new openings, ONE created when an Ohio ND moved to the corporate staff.
Our count of stations with ND openings now stands at 40. THREE of those stations are advertising the openings below, among our SIX paid ads. TWO of those ads are from a legacy North Carolina station, while we have an ad for an interesting job at the University of Florida.
This week we have FOUR items in our GM News and Notes section: a former ND turned GM goes to a top 35 market, his replacement is quickly named, a longtime Dayton broadcaster is stepping down, and a new GM in Tucson won’t have to move.
And in Names in the News, a CNN producer is fired, CBS launches news at an o-and-o, and some other news managers on the move.
Not sure what our publication schedule will be next weekend due to the holiday, but we will be there at some point.
Happy Holidays to all, and let’s hope for a much more normal 2022, though it’s hard to be optimistic about that right now!
Newly Named News Directors:
Hoffman
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ..you learned in our second UPDATE last Monday that SYBIL HOFFMAN was moving to the big office for this newly acquired by Gray CBS/independent duopoly. GM DEBBIE BUSH shared the news. She’s a 19 year veteran, who’s also worked in Norfolk, Greensboro-High Point, and Columbia, MO. Sybil replaces JEN DAHL who left the station in October after three years as ND.
Salamone
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV…Monday’s first UPDATE told you that DAN SALAMONE was moving from one of Nexstar’s Directors of Local Content to become ND for this CBS affiliate. He’d spent three years at corporate, from ND for Nexstar’s WTEN-TV in Albany, NY. Dan’s a former ND in Detroit, Cleveland, Portland, OR, Albuquerque, and Providence. At KLAS, he replaces TERRI FOLEY who left in September after six years as ND and 35 at the station.
Dan’s joy about his new job was likely tempered last night as his beloved New England Patriots suffered a beat down by the Indianapolis Colts. (I shouldn’t gloat too much…it’s the first Colts win over New England since 2009.)
Baldwin
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH…it’s been a busy two years for MICHAEL BALDWIN, who’s been promoted to news director for this Gray owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the memo from GM CHRIS FEDELE. Michael joined WTVG in June as Assistant ND after one year as ND for Gray’s WDTV in Bridgeport, WV. He’d been a reporter/anchor for the company’s WXIX-TV in Cincinnati. Michael replaces MEL WATSON who retired after three years as ND. She spent much of her career in Cleveland.
Finally, a flurry of new news director hires by Univision:
Media Moves reports ILIA GARCIA has been named ND for Univision’s WUVP-TV in Philadelphia, while DACELYS MARTINEZ ORTEGA becomes regional ND for Univision stations in Atlanta (WUVG-TV) and Raleigh (WUVC-TV). More details in this story.
In Fresno, Univision hired ISIS CHAVERRI as ND for KFTV. GM STEVE STUCK sent this note to the staff. Isis is a former ND for Univision’s WGBO-TV in Chicago, a job she left in 2010. For the last three years, she’s worked for the American Red Cross in Chicago as Regional Marketing and Communications Manager.
New News Director Openings:
Justice
WSYX/WTTE-TV, Columbus, OH…we’re late in telling you that JAMIE JUSTICE has been promoted to Group News Director for station owner Sinclair. Senior VP of News SCOTT LIVINGSTON shared the news. She’s been the ND for this ABC/FOX duopoly for seven years and has worked there for 14. Jamie’s also worked in Cleveland (WOIO/WUAB-TV) and Savannah, GA (WSAV-TV).
Kompos
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…ATHAN KOMPOS is out at this Tegna owned NBC affiliate in a move that apparently happened a few months ago. He became news director there in August, 2017, when his predecessor was also dismissed. Athan spent more than 20 years at WGRZ, beginning as a producer in 2003, and then become executive producer in 2009.
Villarreal
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX…after six years at this Scripps owned SYVLIA VILLAREAL has left this ABC affiliate. She first joined the station in 2015 as an executive producer and later became Assistant ND, the job she held when she was promoted to news director in November, 2020. She has also worked in Dallas and freelanced for CBS Newspath. KXXV has had three owners, four GMs, and four NDs since 2016.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Streaming Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:
WRAL-TV is looking for an ambitious, multi-skilled individual to lead our news streaming efforts across numerous platforms. The EP will serve in a variety of roles … managing, programming, producing, copy editing, video editing, etc. Tapping the vast television and digital resources and people of WRAL will make this an exciting job.
You’ll lead a team of producers/editors creating content all day, every day. The ideal candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, creative, and innovative. Exceptional communication and writing skills are essential. Pitching new ideas will be crucial.
At least five years of news experience is required. Previous experience in producing and video editing is highly preferred. Supervisory experience is a plus. A four-year college degree is required.
People come to WRAL-TV and they stay. Why? We’re family. We have extraordinary expectations of each other and accept nothing short of excellence. Meshing with our standout team is as important as your skills. We’re locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a pioneering, stable, community advocate, do-the-right-thing company that offers some of the best benefits in the business.
WRAL-TV is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. The Triangle is an area of booming growth, with companies including Apple, Google and Amazon recently announcing major expansions here.
A pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.
Newscast Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:
WRAL is a multiplatform newsroom. Producers will be asked to engage in discussions about news coverage on WRAL, WRAL.com and social media.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism is preferred. A minimum of 3 years working as a producer is preferred. An ideal candidate must be flexible, able to work under tight deadlines and communicate clearly. They must also be willing to work any shift, and be prepared to work holidays.
People come to WRAL-TV and they stay. Why? We’re family. We have extraordinary expectations of each other and accept nothing short of excellence. Meshing with our standout team is as important as your skills.
We’re locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a pioneering, community advocate company that offers some of the best benefits in the business. We are based in Raleigh, NC, consistently named one of the best places to live in America.
A pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAZ-TV, WRAZ Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, and the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.
Director of Innovation News Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:
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, 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)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 10/24/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 12/12/21)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 12/12/21)
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 12/12/21)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Streaming EP, new listing, see ad above!)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/12/21)
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)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, new listing this week)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, new listing this week)
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 (listed 12/12/21)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/24/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, relisted 12/12/21)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (relisted 12/12/21)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 12/12/21)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)
More News Management Openings:
New listing this week:
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL: Director of Innovation News Center (see ad above!)
Relisted 12/12/21:
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
CNN fired producer JOHN GRIFFIN on Monday. We told you last week that he’s been charged with three counts of attempting to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. More in this story from Deadline.com. Griffin’s had been the Senior Producer for New Day, the show anchored until recently by CHRIS CUOMO. An eight year veteran of the network Griffin has also worked for ABC, CBS, and FOX.
CBS announced that, once again, it would start a full scale news operation at its Detroit owned station, WWJ-TV. It’s the largest network o-and-o without its own local news department. Details in this news release. The Detroit Free Press adds perspective.
Passant
COURT PASSANT has a new job. The veteran broadcaster is now the Creative Services Director for Nexstar’s WPIX-TV (CW) in New York. Court joined WPIX three months ago as Managing Editor. He sent me this note with details about his new role and his career history, which includes time at both CBS Newspath and FOX.
BRENDEN NAKAMINE has been upped to Assistant ND for another large market Nexstar station, KRON-TV (MyNetwork) in San Francisco. He’s been an EP there, and has previously worked in Detroit, San Diego, Las Vegas and Bakersfield.
General Manager News and Notes:
Antoniotti
Former news director and second generation broadcaster JUSTIN ANTONIOTTI will be the next GM for Hearst’s KMBC/KCWE-TV (ABC/CW) in Kansas City. More from the station’s website. He’s been GM for Hearst’s WGAL-TV (NBC) in Lancaster, PA. A long time Hearst employee, he’s also been a GM in Vermont and an ND for two Hearst stations. Justin’s dad, STEVE, was a longtime GM and ND.
DeLuca
And as is often its practice, Hearst quickly named Justin’s replacement in Lancaster. CINDY DeLUCA was promoted from her role as General Sales Manager at WGAL, a job she’s held since 2017. She’s also held sales positions for Hearst stations in Pittsburgh and Burlington, VT. More details in this story from the WGAL website.
Rohr
After a long career at WHIO-TV (and other Cox Media Group properties in Dayton), ROB ROHR is stepping down at the end of the year. You can learn more about his decision and his plans for the future in this post from his Linkedin page. His current title is Vice President and General Manager of Cox Media Group in Dayton.
Hornfeck
MICHAEL HORNFECK crosses the street and joins Gray Television as GM for KOLD-TV (CBS) in Tucson. He’s been the sales manager for KVOA-TV (NBC/Allen Media). Earlier in his career, Michael worked for a third Tucson station, KGUN-TV (ABC), so he’s scored the Tucson hat trick! More here.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 19, 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
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
WSYX-TV 1261 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd, Suite 7007 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WDRB-TV 624 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, Ky. 40203
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
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
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
KXXV-TV 1909 S. New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
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
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