January 3, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 UPDATE #2:
The first week of 2016 is bringing a spate of newsworthy announcements.
Today it’s news of a new news director for Hearst’s WLWT-TV in Cincinnati.
Benscoter
JEFF BENSCOTER returns to Cincinnati as the next ND for that NBC affiliate. He’s currently the Assistant ND for the company’s KMBC-TV in Kansas City, a job he’s held for the last year and a half. Jeff spent two years as an EP for WKRC-TV in Cincinnati from 1998-2000, before moving to Springfield, MO, as ND for KYTV there. He later spent six years at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, and has also worked in Lexington, KY, and Columbia, MO.
Click here to see the memos to the staff from KMBC ND SHERRIE BROWN and the note to the WLWT staff from GM RICHARD DYER. Jeff replaces MICHAEL NEELLY who was promoted to GM for Hearst’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS.
It’s been a busy week already. Who knows what lies ahead?
We’ll recap it all in our full newsletter later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Monday, January 4, 2016 UPDATE #2:
We don’t often send out two UPDATES in one day, but news of a new news director in a top 12 market warrants that.
Wilson
DAN WILSON is returning to Phoenix as News Director for KPHO/KTVK-TV, the Meredith duopoly there. He spent eight years as the Assistant ND at Scripps’ KNXV-TV before moving to the Scripps’ station in West Palm Beach, WPTV, where he became ND in August, 2014, after a short time as the interim ND.
He also spent ten years in Las Vegas, as a producer, Executive Producer, and Assistant ND at what was then KVBC-TV and is now KSNV-TV (NBC). Dan worked briefly in Pocatello, ID.
He replaces LEONA WOOD who left the job in November after two years, saying she wanted to spend more time with family.
Glazier
One other note: LEEZA (GLAZIER) STARKS has been named ND for KERO-TV in Bakersfield. She’s been the Assistant ND for KFSN-TV in Fresno and is a former ND for WOWK-TV in Charleston/Huntington.
More on both these stories in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, January 4, 2016 UPDATE:
Greetings:
The New Year starts with word of a new job for a high profile General Manager and former news director.
Marks
JEFF MARKS, who received much acclaim for his role in leading WDBJ-TV in Roanoke after the murder of two of his employees last summer, will be transitioning to a new role with the soon-to-be-new-owners of that CBS affiliate.
Jeff will become Director of Talent Development for Gray Television, which is buying WDBJ owner Schurz Communications in a deal expected to close within a month. All the details are in this memo Jeff sent to his staff this morning,
He’s been the GM at WDBJ since 2007. Jeff also served as a GM in Augusta, GA, and Bangor, ME, worked for Cablevision’s News 12 operation in the New York area, and also worked in Washington, Louisville, and Lexington. He’s also a past Chairman of RTNDA (now RTDNA).
Congrats to Jeff. More in our full newsletter later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
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Greetings:
As you might expect from a holiday week, fairly slow.
But we do have ONE newly promoted news director to tell you about, and NO new openings. That one move leaves our list of stations looking for an ND at just 19.
There’s ONE Paid Help Wanted ad…that for an EP in the Midwest.
Thanks to our friends at Devlin Design Group who this week begin their seventh! year of supporting this newsletter. And they kick that off with a new ad and a new link to some of their latest and greatest work…click on the ad below to check it out.
And THE CAROLE KNEELAND PROJECT returns as an advertiser to promote its upcoming seminars. If you’re a news director…or what to be one…you owe it to yourself and your career to learn more about Kneeland.
We have ONE news item about a new job for a former Wisconsin news director, and THREE obituaries: two for former news directors and one for a retired General Manager.
Best wishes to all for a terrific 2016!
New News Director Openings:
None to my knowledge.
The Kneeland Project is Accepting Applications Now
Start your new year off right – apply today!
The Kneeland Project is accepting applications now for their March 2-5, 2016 session in Austin, Texas. Applications are due Friday 1/15/16 and are available by clicking here.
Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news managers. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
In addition to tackling core Kneeland subjects like ethical leadership, time-saving strategies and results-driven digital ideas, we are covering race, religion and election coverage in our March session. You can’t miss this opportunity.
In a recent survey of Kneeland Fellows, 100% reported they still regularly use lessons learned at Kneeland, believe that time spent at Kneeland improved their career, and said they have recommended Kneeland to a friend or colleague.
The Kneeland Project is an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results.
Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 journalists will be selected for this program. Apply today!
Newly Named News Director:
Maze
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL…this job wasn’t open long, as SHANNON MAZE has been promoted to ND for this Raycom Media owned FOX Affiliate. Shannon has been the Assistant ND there since 2011. More in this memo from GM COLLIN GASTON. She’s been an ND in Yuma, AZ, and has also worked both behind and in front of the camera in Phoenix, Greenville, SC, and Evansville. Shannon replaces JAMES FINCH who was promoted to a Regional ND position with Raycom after seven years as ND and 20 at the station.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
Executive Producer, WPTA-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN:
WPTA-TV (ABC) Fort Wayne, Indiana is a highly successful, legacy station that has a truly rare opportunity for an energetic and creative Executive Producer.
We’re seeking out an experienced producer, one who can handle day-to-day news development as well as breaking news. The person we hire will have a record of aggressively using social media to engage and respond to our community and one who uses that engagement on multiple broadcast platforms, through social media and online.
Candidates have to have a proven track record of producing. Clear and strong interpersonal communication skills with leadership qualities are required. Applicants must have 3 years of experience. We’re looking for that person who is ready to take the next step to be a leader, and help develop and promote our news brand. This person will work with the producers and on-air talent to help enrich the content and quality of newscasts.
Never considered NE Indiana? Well, you’ve been missing out! Low cost of living, affordable homes, beautiful lakes, great sports and accolades galore from some of the nation’s leading publications. Centrally located from Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Cincinnati, everyone loves NE Indiana as a contender in a land full of kings. You can make your mark here, and you will. Visit http://www.yourstorymadehere.com and you’ll learn our story.
Submit your cover letter and resume with references, plus online links to your work here or send email to alanw@21alive.com and indicate in your cover letter how you learned of the job.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 12/13/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 11/15/15)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 12/20/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo/Cedar Rapids, IA (relisted 12/6/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 12/20/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 12/6/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 12/20/15)
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)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (AM EP, listed 12/6/15)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 11/8/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing revised 11/8/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, relisted 11/22/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, listed 11/8/15)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 12/20/15)
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)
KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK (PM EP, listed 12/27/15)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, listed 12/20/15)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Morning EP, listed 11/22/15)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, listed 12/13/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/8/15)
WPTA-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (relisted 12/13/15)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/13/15)
Obituaries:
DON DALE, a former news director for WTVR-TV in Richmond, died December 28th of an apparent heart attack. He was 73. Don led an interesting and varied life: he worked as an operating room medic with the Air Force in Germany, as a reporter for Armed Forces TV, once talked a woman out of committing suicide while working at a radio station, spent many years in PR for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and told his GM he was gay before taking the ND job in the 70’s. He also hosted a podcast in his retirement. A memorial service is planned later in January. More details about Don and his life in this obituary.
Keefe
A legendary broadcaster in both radio and television, ANNE KEEFE, died this week at the age of 90. For years she was the only female anchor in Rochester, NY, and became news director for WROC-TV in 1969. She later worked for the powerhouse radio station KMOX-AM in St. Louis as the first woman in talk radio. I worked in St. Louis during part of her time there: it would be hard to overestimate her influence in the city.
WAYNE SIMONS, a former General Manager in Ft. Myers and Las Vegas, died last week, apparently of lung cancer. Simons worked for Landmark Communications for 20 years, first running radio stations in Norfolk and later for the company’s KLAS-TV in Las Vegas. He became GM of WINK-TV in Ft. Myers in 2007 and retired in 2013.
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:
JIM DICK, a one-time news director for WMTV in Madison, WI, has a new job as Director of Communication for the Wisconsin Department of Administration. He left a similar job at the state Department of Natural Resources. Earlier in his career he was EP of News for the Today Show.
General Manager News:
No changes this week, to my knowledge.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, January 3, 2016.
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
WZDX-TV 1309 Memorial Parkway NW Huntsville AL 35801
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt St. Rochester, NY 14610
KADN/KLAF-TV 123 Easy St. Lafayette LA 70506
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
KBAK-TV1901 Westward Drive Bakersfield, CA 93301
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
* Spanish language station