January 27, 2019
Greetings:
We start with an apology.
Due to a production error, earlier this week a draft of an UPDATE was accidentally posted on our website, though not emailed. It involved a hire at at a large market station that I am told by company officials has not happened….at least not yet. Unfortunately it was picked up by other sites.
Since it’s our long standing goal to report only facts, (unusual on the web, I know) we removed that post and will obviously not include the information in this week’s edition.
There is ONE new news director this week…who’s also his station’s chief meteorologist. And we removed another listing for reasons explained below.
That leaves 31 stations on our list of news director openings. FOUR of those openings are among our paid help wanted ads below.
There are TWO obituaries, one for a former network and local anchor turned educator, and the other for a longtime radio news director who served on the RTDNA board…and whose station won FOUR Peabody Awards during his tenure.
Lots of items of interest in Names in the News:
Two news managers promoted at a Detroit station.
A new job for a former Mississippi ND (who spent many years at CNN)
An Arkansas ND goes public with his cancer battle.
A former Texas anchor and ND runs for office.
And we’ll tell you why another Texas ND is known as ‘The Dancing Jefa’.
And there’s a new GM at a Tennessee station.
But you’ll only know these things if you read on…
Newly Named News Directors:
Ernst
KJTV, Lubbock, TX…MATT ERNST adds additional duties as he is promoted to the news director job for this Lamar Communications owned FOX affiliate. He’ll be busy, as he will remain the station’s chief meteorologist. Matt’s been the assistant news director for the past five years. He’s a 13 year veteran of the station…beginning as a radio news reporter and anchor. More here.
Klotzman
Matt replaces our old friend JEFF KLOTZMAN. The station, in this post, reported that Jeff has ‘retired’ but also announced that he was joining the Lubbock school district as the new executive director of communications and community relations. Jeff was the first ND here and also anchored the late news. He had earlier been an ND for another Amarillo station and worked in Madison, Austin, TX, San Diego and Phoenix.
Liz H.
One update: we’re removing KKTV in Colorado Springs from our list of open ND jobs. We first posted that last July when LIZ HALTIWANGER was promoted to GM after ten years as ND and 15 at the station. Liz will hold both the ND and GM positions for this Gray owned CBS affiliate.
New News Director Openings:
No new openings this week, to the best of my knowledge.
We told you a few weeks ago about management changes at several of the News 12 Network operations. Please check out the ad below for the resulting openings at News 12 New Jersey and News 12 The Bronx in addition to ads for ND openings in Minneapolis and Rochester, MN…and an assistant ND in Virginia.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, News 12 New Jersey & News 12 The Bronx:
News 12 New Jersey and News 12 The Bronx are looking for experienced, hands-on News Directors with strong leadership skills and a bold style. We own hyperlocal news and weather in the nation’s number one market. Election night, snowstorms–we beat all cable and broadcast stations in our cable footprint! News 12 is re-imagining local news in the digital age- thinking big and being bold to deliver content to our audience on multiple platforms. Our ideal candidate can identify engaging content, teach others how to do so, and develop a road map to meet the goals of our company. We want YOU to join our winning team!
Responsibilities & Qualifications:
Ten years in journalism, including 8 in television news, with a reputation for quality demonstrated through awards or honors. Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, leadership, communication, motivational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage a high pressure newsroom environment. Excellent coaching and training skills. Experience with Ad sales and programming and production budgets preferred.
If you’re up to the challenge, apply here:
Click here for News 12 New Jersey:
Click here for News 12 The Bronx:
News Director, KSTP/KSTC-TV, Minneapolis, MN:
KSTP & KSTC, the Hubbard Broadcasting stations in Minneapolis-St. Paul need an experienced News Director with a history of success in leading broadcast news operations.
We emphasize investigative news and enterprise and original reporting. This position requires a strong leader to help drive this station to the top of the market. As the leader of this multi-platform operation, the News Director is responsible for leading and managing the planning, production and presentation of news.
This position is also responsible for defining and maintaining ethical, editorial, artistic and technical standards for broadcast news programs on KSTP & KSTC and content on digital and social media platforms. The successful candidate must engage and lead a high performing team and develop and execute the long-term vision of the 5 Eyewitness News newsroom.
To learn more about the day to day duties and qualifications for this remarkable opportunity please visit our web site.
News Director, KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN:
KAAL- TV (abc6NEWS), Rochester, MN, is looking for a News Director with a history of building great LOCAL news programs built on the basics of original, enterprise reporting, compelling story-telling and fast-paced programs.
As the leader of this smaller market, multi-platform operation, the News Director is responsible for leading and managing the planning, production and presentation of news, building on significant market gains. This position is responsible for defining and maintaining ethical, editorial, artistic and technical standards for broadcast news programs.
The successful candidate must build, engage and lead a high performing team and develop the long-term vision of abc6NEWS.
If interested in this role, please apply directly on our web site.
Assistant News Director, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA:
WSLS 10, the Graham Media Group owned / NBC affiliated station in Roanoke, VA is seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic and results oriented Assistant News Director to join our News team.
You’ll live, work, and play in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, plus, you’re only a short drive to major metropolitan areas as well as beaches.
WSLS 10 will move into a brand new state-of-the-art broadcast facility this spring.
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and oversee production of all newscasts, working closely with anchors, reporters and producers on day-to-day and special project coverage.
Responsibilities & Qualifications:
Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required.
Work with producers and reporters to review all scripts.
Help producers and on-air talent convey urgency and timeliness in newscasts.
Manage and train newscast producers
Execute strategic planning across all platforms.
Embrace digital first new philosophy.
Other responsibilities as assigned.
WSLS 10 News, Working for You, produces 32 hours of news, weather, and sports each week. We have two bureaus and cover a large portion of Virginia.
If you’re up to the challenge, give us a look. Click here for more information.
News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (listed 11/18/18)
WFTS-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (listed 1/13/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/30/18)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/23/18)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 1/13/19)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 1/20/19, see ad above!)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 12/30/18)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 12/23/18)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/6/19)
KDLT-TV, Sioux Falls, SD (listed 1/13/19)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (AM EP, relisted 12/16/18)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (relisted 1/20/17)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (Dayside EP, relisted 11/25/18)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Special Projects EP, relisted 1/6/19)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (Dayside EP, relisted 1/13/19)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 1/20/19)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (AM EP, listed 12/23/18)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 12/23/18)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (PM EP, relisted 12/9/18)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/2/18)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, listed 1/6/19)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 12/30/18)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (TWO EP openings, relisted this week)
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN (TWO openings, listed 12/30/18)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (PM EP, new listing this week)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (PM EP, listed 1/20/19)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 12/9/18)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 12/30/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 10/21/18)
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth (relisted this week)
OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
Relisted this week:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Editorial Content)
Listed 1/13/19:
E.W. Scripps, Denver, CO (National Executive Producer)
Listed 12/9/18:
WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA (Digital Content Manager)
Obituaries:
Bell
Former ABC anchor STEVE BELL…who spent more than 15 years on the faculty of Ball St. University…died Friday, January 25th at the age of 83. While covering the Vietnam War, he was captured by the Viet Cong. In 1975, he was part of the first team as Good Morning America debuted on ABC. He later left to anchor at Philadelphia’s KYW-TV. Steve began in TV in Omaha, went to WNEW-AM radio in New York City before joining ABC Radio and then the TV side of ABC.
Rublein
BRIAN RUBLEIN, who spent more than 20 years as news director for Louisville’s WHAS-AM radio, died earlier this month. I believe he was around 80 years old, though this obituary fails to mention his age. During his leadership of WHAS, the station was honored with FOUR Peabody Awards. He also served on the (then) RTNDA Board of Directors. After leaving radio, Brian worked in media relations and served 18 years on the City Council of Anchorage, KY.
Names in the News (and other items):
Two veteran news managers, RO COPPOLA and JENNIFER WALLACE, have been promoted at Graham Media’s WDIV-TV in Detroit.
Turner
CHRIS TURNER…whose last appearance in these pages came in November when he left his job as ND for WJTV and WHLT-TV (Jackson/Hattiesburg, MS) has landed. He’s the new director of the Public Affairs Division for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. In addition to WJTV/WHLT-TV, he served as a news director in Cheyenne, WY, and spent 21 years working for CNN in a variety of roles.
Genty
Our best wishes to NICK GENTY, news director of KATV in Little Rock, who has gone public with his battle with throat cancer. Nick never smoked but still developed the disease. More in this story. He’s a longtime veteran of the Little Rock Market, having spent more than 20 years at another station before moving to KATV.
TONY HENNES, a former news director and anchor for KCEN-TV in Temple, TX…is now running for the Temple City Council. He’s been working for the city since leaving television in 1998.
Rodriguez
Let’s end this section on a lighter note. MOANA RODRIGUEZ, the news director for the Univision station in San Antonio, has an unusual way to de-stress. It’s earned her the nickname of “The Dancing Jefa” Someone captured it on video.
General Manager News and Notes:
TODD RICKE has been named general manager for Sinclair’s Chattanooga station, WTVC-TV, the ABC affiliate there. He’s been the sales manager for Sinclair’s KEYE-TV in Austin, TX, where he has has worked since 1999.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 27, 2019:
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 New Jersey 450 Raritan Center Pkwy. Edison, NJ 08837 (see ad above!)
News 12 The Bronx 930 Soundview Avenue Bronx, NY 10473 (see ad above!)
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. , 6th Fl. Arlington, VA 22209
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98134
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave., Seattle WA 98121
KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave W Saint Paul, MN 55114 (see ad above!)
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Boulevard, # 7007, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 E Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
WHBQ-TV 485 S. Highland. Memphis, TN 38111
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
WGBA-TV 1391 North Rd, Green Bay, WI 54313
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KGBT-TV 9201 West Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552
WHNT-TV 200 Holmes Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
WGME-TV 81 Northport Drive. Portland, ME 04103
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way Jackson, MS 39209
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas RD Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28560
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KIII-TV 5002 South Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320 Tupelo, MS 38802
KMBT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN 55902 (see ad above!)
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
**: Spanish language station