February 16, 2020
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another day, another UPDATE as Scripps fills a senior management position from within the company.
McGarvy
SEAN McGARVY, who’s been the ND for Scripps’ WEWS-TV (ABC) in Cleveland for the past year and a half, has been tapped to fill the company’s vacant Senior Director of Content position. He’s also worked for Scripps as the Assistant ND at KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver.
Sean’s also worked in Washington, Indianapolis, Des Moines, and Columbia, MO. Details on those jobs are on his Linkedin page.
His move creates an open ND job in Cleveland, of course.
Siegel
Sean replaces BILL SIEGEL who was promoted to GM for the company’s WSFL-TV (CW) in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, and tasked with starting a news department there.
Our full newsletter this weekend will have more on this story and all the week’s news.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A former news director turned general manager heads east for her next job.
Barrett
JOAN BARRETT will be the next GM for WCNC-TV, the Tegna owned NBC affiliate in Charlotte. She told her staff at KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver that she was leaving this morning. And here’s the news release from Tegna.
Joan’s been the GM in Denver for the past four years. She’d earlier spent 14 years at KWCH-TV in Wichita, the last 12 as GM after beginning as the news director for that CBS affiliate. She’s had a long and varied career, beginning on-air in Lubbock, TX.
Collura
As WCNC, she replaces another former ND turned GM, DEBORAH COLLURA, who left WCNC at the end of 2019.
As always, more in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
We’re a little late this week, but I can’t blame the NBA All-Star game. I’m a partial NBA season ticket holder and even I can’t watch that game. 🙂
THREE new news directors this week and TWO new openings, dropping our list of open ND jobs to 32.
None of those openings are featured in paid help wanted ads, but we do have TWO ads for news management positions in top 35 markets.
We have an obituary for a long ago ND who spent a year as a hostage in the middle east.
There are a number of news managers on the move, including a promotion for one corporate VP/News. And we have THREE items in our GM section, including the pending retirement of a GM at an ABC o-and-o.
Those stories and more below…
Newly Named News Directors:
Tina C.
WFTV, Orlando, FL…our UPDATE Thursday morning first brought you the news that TINA COMMODORE will be the next news director at this Cox owned ABC station. It’s another move within Cox for Tina, who’s spent three plus years as ND for KOKI-TVÂ in Tulsa and worked for the company’s WSB-TV in Atlanta for seven years. She’s also worked in Columbus, OH, and Cincinnati, as well as for CNN. In Orlando, she replaces MATT PARCELL who announced in December that he was retiring after 7 1/2 years as news director.
Godinez
KUVS-TV, Sacramento, CA…LUIS FELIPE GODINEZ started Monday, February 10th, as news director for this Univision station. Media Moves has more here. He’s been the Assistant ND for KDTV in San Francisco and earlier worked at stations in Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. The last ND I show here was PABLO IACUB but he left in September 2017. If there was someone in between, I missed it.
Webb
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC…it’s a return to this CBS affiliate for RYAN WEBB who will become news director on March 9th. He was an EP here for three years before a two year move to sister Nexstar station WKRN-TV in Nashville where he worked as a producer, senior producer and late news EP. He’s also worked in Knoxville. Ryan replaces ERIC WALTERS who left to become ND at Gray’s WDBJ-TV in Roanoke after three years as ND and 25 at the station.
New News Director Openings:
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…we told you above that TINA COMMODORE was leaving this Cox owned FOX affiliate to become ND for sister COX station WFTV in Orlando.
Dodd
KSBW-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA…LAWTON DODD has left this Hearst owned NBC affiliate after 22 years as ND. Here’s part of an email he sent me:
I’ve just finished up my course work/graduated this month from the Executive Leaders Program at the Center for Defense & Homeland Security on the United States Naval Postgraduate School campus. Now it’s time to take some time off.
Lawton’s also worked in Norfolk, Wichita, and Columbia, MO.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Executive Producer/Special Projects, KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ:
I. Job Summary
Executive Producer/Special Projects at Arizona’s Family CBS5 & 3TV (Meredith Corp.) is a driven, detail-oriented and creative EP who manages our special projects team including investigative/consumer units, sports and community coverage. The EPSP wears many hats generating a large quantity of high quality, branded stories; producing one-time specials; planning and executing our election coverage and contributing to daily newscasts as needs arise. Manages other special projects, including sweeps features, documentaries, station events, and awards entries. Candidate will be a proactive self-starter, managing large numbers of ongoing projects with little supervision while seeking to create new ones. Requires a high-level understanding of TV strategy, tactics, including visual storytelling, graphics, teases, and promotional opportunities. Willing to work long or unusual hours, weekends and holidays as needed. Work performed is for all media platforms and initiatives, including on-air, web, digital and social media.
II. Essential Job Functions
Accountabilities, Actions and Expected Measurable Results
50% Produce high quality, promotable, branded stories per station strategy and research priorities.
20% Assist in development and execution of Sweeps coverage
15% Plan and execute special coverage, including elections and community events
10% Produce one-time specials
5% Other duties as assigned
III. Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements
Education: College degree required
7 yrs. experience as an EP, producer, reporter, or equivalent in daily news operation. Exp. with investigative reporting and producing.
Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of libel/slander/privacy laws.
Advanced computer and web publishing skills. Knowledge of editing.
Travel Required (Approximate): 5%
Please apply here:
EEO
Assistant News Director, WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI:
WDJT-TV CBS 58 for Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin News is searching for an Assistant News Director.
With over 40 hours of news each week in an aggressive news market that is hosting the 2020 DNC, we are seeking a creative and driven experienced newsroom leader.
Join our growing news team in a dynamic, inclusive, fast-paced newsroom where we bring our viewers the best in quality news, prime, entertainment and sports!
In this role, you will work closely with the News Director to lead the operations and editorial content of the newsroom. Must have excellent news judgment and be able to meet deadlines, communicate effectively, adapt quickly and implement change while under pressure. Mentor producers and reporters, manage scheduling, plan event coverage, update workflows for efficiency, and have a creative approach to breaking and multi-platform news.
Must have prior Executive Producer, Assistant News Director, or News Director experience, a strong producing background, a commitment to serving a diverse audience, a passion for news, and a clear understanding of journalistic ethics and laws are needed to be successful in this role.
Apply today at CBS58 Opportunities!
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WFTS-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (listed 1/19/20)
KCPQ/KZJO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 2/2/2020)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/20)
WSFL-TV, Miami, FL (listed 2/2/2020)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 2/9/20)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/9/20, see ad above!)
Spectrum News, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/19/20)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 1/12/20)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 12/8/19)
KRCG-TV, Jefferson City, MO (relisted 1/26/20)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 1/19/20)
KNPN/KNPG/KCJO-TV, St. Joseph, MO (relisted this week)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (2 openings, listed 2/2/20)
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (Digital EP, listed 2/2/20)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted this week)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (relisted 1/26/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (new listing this week)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP and Digital EP, listing revised 2/9/20)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/2/20)
Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (listed 11/24/19)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, listing modified 1/19/20)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/9/20)
KSND-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 12/22/19)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (new listing this week)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (2 openings, EP and EP/Innovation, revised 12/22/19)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/19/20)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted this week)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 1/12/20)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted this week)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 2/2/20)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 1/5/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (relisted 1/5/20)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 12/22/19)
WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV (relisted 1/26/20)
KLST-TV, San Angelo, TX (new listing this week)
MANAGING EDITOR:
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (2 openings, listed 2/2/20)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (relisted 2/9/16)
More News Management Openings:
New listings this week:
E. W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Director of News Content Strategy)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 1/19/20:
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Senior Multiplatform Producer)
WBOC-TV/Draper Media, Salisbury, MD (Director of Digital Content)
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (Professor)
Listed 1/5/20:
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (Assignment Desk Manager)
Listed 12/22/19:
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)
Obituary:
Levin
JERRY LEVIN died February 7th. While he was a former ND at WBRC-TV in Birmingham, he was better known as a former hostage of the Hezbollah militants. He was working as the Middle East Bureau Chief for CNN when he was captured in 1984 and spent almost a year in custody. This story details his background and his daring escape from captivity.
Names in the News (and other items):
ANDREA BERRY returns to NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia as executive producer. She’s spent the last three years as the weekend EP for WABC-TV in New York. In addition to her earlier stint as a producer at WCAU, she’s worked for two stations in Washington, DC.
Trauring
BRIAN TRAURING has been promoted to Executive Vice President for Lilly Broadcasting. He’s been the Vice President of News, Marketing & Content Development there. More details about his new role (and some of his old ones) here. Brian’s a former RTDNA board member, and, more importantly, a longtime IndyCar fan. 🙂
MONICA CHAVARRIA has been promoted to Executive Producer for Scripps’ KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi, TX. She has been a producer there.
Apologies to SARAH COWAN. While I correctly reported that she’s been promoted to Assistant ND, I screwed up the station. Sarah was promoted to Scripps’ KGTV in San Diego.
Finally, our friends at Devlin Design Group are justifiably proud of their latest project, the set for the newly launched Black News Channel. This news release details the project, one example of which is shown below.
General Manager News and Notes:
Welch
CAROLINE FOY WELCH is retiring as GM for ABC’s owned and operated WTVD-TV in Raleigh/Durham after eight years there. Broadcasting and Cable has more in this story. Before moving to WTVD, she spent about 20 years at another ABC o-and-o, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia where she left as VP/Programming. Caroline started at WPVI as a promotion producer.
Meyers
ALLYSON MEYERS will be the next Vice President and General Manager for Sinclair’s KTUL-TV (ABC) in Tulsa. Details in this news release. She’s a former GM for Fox’s WOFL-TV in Orlando. In Tulsa, she replaces PAT BALDWIN who left the station at the end of 2019 after 22 years as general manager there.
Walker
DANNY WALKER has been promoted to General Manager for Heartland Media’s WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS. He’s been the Director of Sales there. Danny replaces JERRY JONES who retired Friday after almost five years as GM for this NBC/ABC operation and close to 20 years in management positions all over the country.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 16, 2020:
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
WNJU-TV, 2200 Fletcher Avenue Fort Lee, NJ 07024
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTTV/WXIN-TV 6910 Network Place Indianapolis, IN 46278
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York, PA 17403
KTUL-TV 3333 S. 29th West Ave Tulsa, Ok 74101
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12309
KOLD-TV 7831 N Business Park Dr, Tucson, AZ 85743
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
KREM-TV 4103 S Regal St, Spokane, WA 99223
WITN-TV 275 E Arlington Blvd #275, Greenville, NC 27858
WTAJ-TV 5000 6th Ave # 1, Altoona, PA 16602
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KSBW-TV 238 John Street, Salinas, CA, 93901
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
WCAV-TV 999 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
WDHN-TV P.O. Box 6237, Dothan, AL 36302
KHQA-TV 301 S 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
**: Spanish language station