December 27, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014 UPDATE:
Boyer
There will be no formal funeral for JIM BOYER, who died last Wednesday of esophageal cancer. He was 68.
Click here to read the family’s suggestions for ways to celebrate his life. The link also includes suggestions for a memorial gift and for contact information for survivors, including his wife JAN ALLEN, herself a former news director and station manager.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
This week’s report, as you might expect during a holiday week, is brief thought with some interesting items.
Sadly, one includes the death of longtime news director and general manager JIM BOYER, which we first reported to you last night. We have only a few new details but those are below.
There are TWO new news director openings with ONE new ND, bringing the list of openings to 27 stations. FOUR of those stations are running help wanted ads below, with another TWO ads for management openings at very strong stations.
Two veteran GMs (one a former ND) are on the move. That’s below, as well as a new EP in Portland, OR.
New News Director Openings:
Giesler
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC…JERRY GIESLER has left this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate after just three months as news director. Jerry told me he was returning to Ft. Wayne to be closer to family. He spent nine years in Ft. Wayne as the GM of a Granite-owned duopoly. Jerry’s been a GM in a number of markets, including San Francisco, worked in the online world for a while, spent seven years as a consultant for Magid, and also worked in Phoenix as an Assistant ND.
Ball
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN…DAN BALL is leaving this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate to return to Palm Springs, CA, as an anchor. That job allows him to be closer to his daughter. Dan’s been both news director and anchor here, and the station is advertising for his replacement below. He’s been here for two years, previously anchored for almost five years for the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, and worked in Palm Springs before that. (This item was added to last week’s report late, so we’re repeating it for those who may have missed it.) Learn more about this ND/Anchor opportunity in the paid ad below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Brown
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL…we told you earlier this week about MATT BROWN‘s ascension to news director for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the interim ND there since both ND BILL McFARLAND and Assistant ND MICHELE MURRAY left on the same day in October. Matt’s had been the Assistant ND for Scripps’ KSHB-TV in Kansas City. He’s a former ND in Tulsa and Sherman, TX, and has worked in Austin, TX, and Wichita. WFTS posted this story to its website.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director/Anchor, WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN:
If you are an experienced broadcast journalist with on-air and newsroom leadership experience, then we are interested in you. You must be a compelling on air anchor with an added ability to write the competitive and strategic master plan for the newsroom. This is a great opportunity for someone to join and lead a highly competitive and accomplished FOX newscast that has earned four Emmy nominations and twice awarded Best Newscast.
The successful candidate must have an understanding of local news, as well as the ability to coach reporters to be enterprising with their story generation, as well as compelling and relevant with their content. Must have the ability to effectively deliver product on multi-media platform and make it relevant to the next generation of news viewers. This is a unique opportunity to take an award winning product to the next level. Solid news judgment, great communication skills and exceptional leadership are a requirement.
Fort Wayne is located in northeast Indiana and is the second largest city in Indiana and the 76th largest city in Country. The Fort Wayne market is an extraordinary place to live and work, offering affordable living and an active lifestyle. Fort Wayne has been honored with several awards for quality of life and is a multiple winner of the All American City Award.
Please send resumes and support materials to:
WFFT Fort Wayne
Attn: Bill Ritchhart
3707 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne IN 46807
email: Britchhart@wfft.com
Nexstar Broadcasting is an equal opportunity employer.
Assignment Manager, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:
10TV News, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks an Assignment Manager to plan and drive hard news coverage for the number one station in Central Ohio.
The successful candidate will be responsible for day-to-day news coverage, executing enterprise coverage, and long-range news planning. Must have exceptional news judgment, be extremely resourceful, and make enterprising a priority. Must be able to manage assignment editors, assist crews with computer assisted reporting skills, and own breaking news utilizing satellite and live trucks, and helicopter.
The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills coupled with the ability to work effectively under pressure; strong social media skills are preferred. This position requires at least three years experience in a television newsroom.
Qualified candidates may apply online at www.dispatchbroadcast.com.
DISPATCH BROADCAST GROUP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
WE ARE A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.
News Director, WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY:
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a dynamic and forward thinking News Director to lead our local news operation at NewsChannel 9 WSYR-TV, the ABC affiliate in Syracuse, NY.
Serious candidates must have a proven track record of success of developing and coaching talent, consistent execution of fiercely competitive product, strategic thinking and planning, high ethical standards and effective newsroom management. Must have the ability to effectively deliver product on multi-media platform and make it relevant to the next generation of news viewers. This is a unique opportunity to take an award winning product to the next level.
To be considered, you must have a minimum of 5 years experience as a news manager and more than 10 years experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.
You need to apply online at the Nexstar job site .
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
News Director, KCBD-TV, Lubbock, TX:
The dominant number one station on the South Plains has an opening for a news director to lead this award winning news department.
The winning candidate will be a passionate, proven leader capable of recruiting, motivating, teaching, mentoring, and retaining a diverse newsroom. The news director will have the challenge of covering a regional population of over 350,000 people. Lubbock is the 11th largest city in the state of Texas and home to Texas Tech University.
The news director will oversee the content and production of 26 ½ hours of news each week and work directly with the longest running anchor team in the country. The news director will also be responsible for content produced on station website and digital platforms.
We are looking for a visionary with demonstrated skills and experience as a manager in local television news who also has the desire to live in the “friendliest city in the country.”
Apply at this link.
News Director, WALB-TV, Albany, GA:
WALB-TV, the dominant NBC/ABC news leader in Albany, Georgia, is looking for a News Content Director to lead our award winning news department.
Albany is the largest city in Southwest Georgia and offers great local restaurants, mild weather and lots of outdoor activities centered around the Flint River. The city is home to the Parks at Chehaw wildlife preserve and the Flint Riverquarium, and is just a three hour drive from the beautiful beaches of Panama City Beach, FL.
The successful candidate will be a passionate, proven leader, capable of recruiting, motivating, teaching, mentoring, and retaining a diverse newsroom.
Candidate should have examples of creative approaches to executing an established news brand, as well as experience managing people, financial, technical resources.
The News Director is responsible for providing strategic direction for daily news coverage, as well as working closely with the General Manager on long range planning, special news coverage, and station projects.
WALB’s newsroom is a successful blend of veteran reporters and anchors, as well as up-and-coming Multi-Media and Digital Journalists.
The News Director will oversee a progressive newsroom that utilizes the latest technology in news gathering, and includes an aggressive digital news operation.
Candidates should have at least five years experience in newsroom leadership roles. Strong communication and organizational skills are a must.
A degree in Mass Communication or Journalism is preferred. WALB is part of Raycom Media.
Please submit resume and application by clicking here.
EOE-M/F/D/V
Executive Producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:
We are seeking an Executive Producer who will take the editorial lead each day and develop multi-platform content that succeed on air and on digital. This individual will manage, coach, and motivate a team of producers, writers, reporters, anchors, and photojournalists who are among the best in the business. The Executive Producer is responsible for the overall content of assigned newscasts, manages all aspects of breaking news, social engagement, and ensures the product stays on brand. Effective communication and decision making under daily deadline pressure are a must. The Executive Producer must have strong ethics, a solid producing background, a desire and ability to win the day, and be an exceptional troubleshooter. This individual must be able to generate unique content, and develop and produce specials as required. The EP will also work closely with other news managers and the News Director to implement winning strategies for each newscast.
We are seeking a candidate with the following:
Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field.
Must have five or more years producing experience in a major television market.
Must be able to effectively manage people & act decisively under pressure.
Must know news and what is important to the community.
Must have social media knowledge and a digital footprint.
Must have technical expertise to booth live newscasts and troubleshoot problems
Must perform administrative duties including scheduling, performance reviews, training of new staff, and provide critical feedback as needed.
RECRUITER:
Human Resources
214-977-6393
humanresources@wfaa.com
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 11/9/14)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (new listing this week)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (new listing this week)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/30/14)
KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (relisted 12/14/14)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 11/1/14)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (listed 12/21/14, see ad above!)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (new listing this week)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (TWO openings, listed 11/21/14)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/9/14)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 11/1/14)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listed 10/19/14)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Morning EP, listing revised 11/30/14)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital EP, listed 10/26/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI, (AM EP, PM EP & Spec. Projects, relisted 10/11/14)
WSPA-TV, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC (AM EP, listed 10/11/14)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (listed 11/1/14)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 10/26/14)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/16/14)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 12/14/14)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, listed 10/19/14)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/11/14)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 11/16/14)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 11/16/14)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (new listing this week, see ad above!)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (listed 11/1/14)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/26/14)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 11/1/14)
Obituaries:
Boyer
I’m told it could be Monday or Tuesday before funeral arrangements are finalized for JIM BOYER, who died Wednesday after a short bout with cancer. He retired in 2012 as GM of KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City. Jim was also a GM in Portland, OR, and Des Moines, and a news director in Seattle and New Orleans, where he worked for nine years at WWL-TV, four as ND. Earlier stops in her career include Philadelphia, Baltimore, and York, PA. A very brief item was posted to the KFOR-TV website, Our report yesterday shared this story from WWL-TV.
When the arrangements are finalized, I’ll update my website.
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:
JODIE PIETRUCHA joins KATU-TV in Portland, OR, as the morning executive producer. She’d been a producer at WXIN-TV in Indianapolis and previously worked in South Bend.
General Manager News:
Two longtime General Managers will take over at two stations recently acquired by Hearst. HANK PRICE will move from the company’s WXII-TV in Winston-Salem to WVTM-TV in Birmingham, AL. And TIM MORRISSEY will lead WJCL-TV in Savannah, GA. It’s a return to Hearst for Tim, who once served as ND of the Hearst station in Milwaukee, WISN-TV. Tim most recently was GM for WCNC-TV in Charlotte. More on these moves and both men’s background in this news release.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, December 27, 2014.
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd Street New York NY 10017
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KOMO-TV 140 Fourth Ave. North Seattle WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego CA 92101
WCMH-TV 3165 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus OH 43202
WHBQ-TV 485 South Highland Memphis TN 38111
WGHP-TV 2005 Francis St. High Point NC 27263
WBIR-TV 1513 Hutchison Ave Knoxville TN 37917
WEAR-TV 4990 Mobile Highway Pensacola FL 32506
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057 (see ad above!)
KFSM-TV 485 South Highland Ft. Smith AR 72901
WMBF-TV 918 Frontage Road East, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
WTAJ-TV 5000 6th Ave. Altoona, PA 16603
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807 (see ad above!)
WDAZ-TV 2220 S. Washington Grand Forks, ND 52801
KCBD-TV 485 South Highland Lubbock TX 79404 (see ad above!)
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City IA 51108
WALB-TV 1709 Stuart Ave. Albany, GA 31707 (see ad above!)
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
WUTR/WPNY/WFXV 5956 Smith Hill Road Utica NY 13502
KAIT-TV 472 CR 766 Jonesboro AR 72401
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849
* Spanish language station