January 5, 2014

Greetings:

I hope you enjoyed your holidays. I suspect pretty much everyone’s back to work on Monday, facing frigid cold temperatures here in Indianapolis and much of the country.

Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that two of the THREE new ND openings are in sunny Florida which sounds pretty good about now. One of the openings was created by the surprising departure of a ND for another job in the Sunshine State.

Our list of open ND jobs now stands at 22.

We have ads this week for a corporate news opportunity within Nexstar, for an ND Opening in Iowa, and for an ND/anchor position at a startup operation in Michigan.

In Names in the News, a former ND turned GM steps down for health reasons, there are several news managers on the move, and we’re repeating the obituary for a veteran ND who died over the holiday season….in case anyone missed it.

The list of ND changes (and a lot more) after this ad for the Carole Kneeland Project.

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now

Start your New Year Right. Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is accepting applications for their March 19-22 session in Austin, Texas. Applications are due in about two weeks, on Friday, January 17 and applications are available at kneelandproject.org/apply

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news directors.

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 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.

This spring’s participants will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make this a truly unique opportunity. Most importantly, journalists will leave the program with a solid plan to guide their leadership decisions starting the day they return to their newsroom. This isn’t theoretical information that news managers will put on a shelf and neglect. Every participant will walk away with concrete action items to implement immediately that will make a difference in their station…and their life.

It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. Journalists return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.

Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!

New News Director Openings:

Longo

WESH-TV, Orlando, FL…BOB LONGO surprised many by resigning to become the next ND for WTEV/WAWS-TV in Jacksonville. (More on that below.) Bob’s been ND at this Hearst-owned NBC affiliate for the past five years, and spent the previous 9+ years as the ND for Hearst’s WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. He’s also been an ND in Buffalo and Binghamton, NY, and has worked in Hartford and Rochester, NY.

Younkin

WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…CATHY YOUNKIN has left this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate after more than four years as ND. She joined the station (when it was owned by Freedom) from another Freedom station, WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids/Battle Creek, MI, where she spent two years as ND. She’d earlier been ND at WSTM-TV in Syracuse and worked for two stations in Cleveland.

KWQC-TV, Davenport, IA…BETH MARSOUN is stepping down as news director but will remain at this Media General owned NBC affiliate in a role to be determined.  Beth’s been ND here for 18 months and has worked at the station more than ten years. She’s also worked in Columbia, MO.  Learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below!

Newly Named News Directors:

WTEV/WAWS-TV, Jacksonville, FL, as noted above, BOB LONGO will be the next ND for this Cox Media owned CBS/FOX duopoly. He’s spent the last 14+years as ND for Hearst stations in Orlando (WESH-TV) and Pittsburgh (WTAE-TV). At WTEV, he replaces MIKE McCORMICK who left the station last month after four years as ND.

WLIO/WOHL-TV, Lima, OH…JEFF FITZGERALD will assume additional duties as news director for these Block Communicaitons owned stations. He’ll continue to anchor the 6:00 news. Jeff’s been with the station for almost 30 years and has anchored the 6:00 news for more than ten years.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:   

Director of Local Content Development, Nexstar Broadcasting:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group is seeking an accomplished news manager to help lead local content initiatives across the group.

The position of Director of Local Content Development-West Region will work with our growing portfolio of stations to advance our strong multi-platform approach by providing leadership with our broadcast news products, web and mobile content initiatives, and in social media engagement. Position will work closely with the Operations team to build on our Company’s approach to “Local” while working with our Co-Chief Operating Officers and Senior Vice Presidents on projects, brand development and market evaluations.

Content is the key to drive “Local” and the development of group wide content initiatives growing ratings and revenue will be essential across all local markets. At Nexstar, we have a great team that believes in the quality of our local product. We are looking for an experienced news leader to complement our team and contribute to our growing portfolio of stations. Ideal candidate should have at minimum 5 years of News Management experience.

Travel is required.

The position will be based at the company’s headquarters in Irving, Texas.

You can learn more about the duties and responsibilities and apply by clicking here.

News Director, KWQC-TV, Davenport/Quad Cities, IA:

KWQC TV6, the Quad Cites award winning, #1 news station, seeks an experienced television news manager to keep it the region’s most depended on and trusted source of news. Our news department produces content for our primary channel KWQC, KWQC.com, KWQC Mobile, 24/7 Weather Channel, our Weather App, and robust Social Media engagement. KWQC also produces a 9pm newscast for the local FOX affiliate and provides news and weather cut-ins for the markets leading radio group.

Candidates need to have the ability to teach and lead by example while using the latest technology.

Click here to read more about this opportunity!

QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified applicants should have a Broadcast Journalism or Communications degree from an accredited four-year College, University or equivalent experience and a minimum of five years in news management experience as well as a deep understanding of news in the digital world.

TO APPLY:

Please indicate in your correspondence exactly where you heard of this opening.

Send your news philosophy, resume, and a newscast from the past week to: jkoresko@kwqc.com:

or via mail to:

EEO/News Director Search
KWQC-TV6
805 Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52803

Positive results upon completion of Pre-Employment Background Screening, Drug Screening, and Driving History Verification are mandatory.

Young Broadcasting of Davenport, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the hiring, training, or promotion of employees by reasons of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, physical or mental handicap, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or age.

News Director, WJMN-TV, Marquette, MI:

WJMN-TV in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula seeks a News Director/Anchor to launch a news department in early 2014. We will produce early and late weeknight newscasts.

The successful candidate must have an understanding of what “local” news is and how to engage our viewers with relevant content. He/she will anchor, produce, hire, mentor and lead a team of skilled professionals. Solid news judgment, great communication skills and exceptional storytelling techniques are a must. Five-ten years of experience as a primary news anchor is preferred. Knowledge of digital media, social media and mobile website journalism is required.

Please send a web link, resume, cover letter and news philosophy to: joe.denk@wfrv.com or via mail to:

Joe Denk
VP & General Manager
WJMN-TV
1181 E Mason St.
Green Bay, WI 54301

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

News 12 New Jersey, Edison, NJ (listed 12/6/13)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (listed 12/15/13)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 12/15/13)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 11/24/13)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 12/22/13)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (relisted 11/24/13)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 11/3/13)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 11/24/13)
KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA (listed 12/6/13)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (Special Projects, listing revised 12/6/13)
WFLA-TV, Tampa. FL (relisted 11/24/13)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 11/3/13)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/22/13)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (PM EP, relisted 11/24/13)
KTUL-TV, Tulsa, OK (relisted 12/22/13)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Morning EP, listed 11/9/13)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (Morning EP, listed 10/18/13)
KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA (relisted 11/9/13)
WSJV-TV, South Bend/Elkhart, IN (listed 12/15/13)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 12/22/13)
WJCL/WTGS-TV, Savannah, GA (Digital EP, listed 12/1/13)
WKBN-TV, Youngstown, OH (Digital EP, relisted this week)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA (Assistant News Ops. Mgr, listed 11/9/13)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 12/1/13)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 11/9/13)

Obituary:

Tuininga

Just in case you missed the news we shared with you over the holidays, longtime news director DICK TUININGA died in late December in Las Vegas of an apparent heart attack. He was 70 years old. Dick had been an ND in Los Angeles, San Diego, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas (several stations). Per his wishes, Dick’s remains were cremated and will be distributed in the Pacific.

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:

CARLOS TAMEZ, a former ND for the Univision station in Dallas, has been named EP for the Telemundo station in Houston, KTMD-TV.

YVE JONES is moving within Hearst to become the Assistant ND for KHBS/KHOG-TV in Fayetteville, AR. She’s spent the past five years as news operations manager for WISN-TV in Milwaukee, and earlier worked for Hearst’s WDSU-TV in New Orleans.

Broadcasting and Cable has named WVUE-TV’s MIKEL SCHAEFER its News Director of the Year.

GM NOTES:

Greif

BRIAN GREIF has stepped down as General Manager of KRON-TV in San Francisco, citing health reasons. He’s recovering from back surgery. Brian’s a former VP/News for Young, which owned KRON before the recent merger with Media General. He’s a former ND in Miami and Des Moines, and also served as a Senior Vice President for Magid.

Our Full List of ND Openings:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, January 5, 2014:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 *
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WFLA-TV 200 S. Parker St. Tampa FL 33606
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33175 *
WESH-TV 1021 N. Wymore Rd. Winter Park FL 32789
WVIT-TV 1422 New Britain Avenue West Hartford, CT 06110
KVDA-TV 6234 San Pedro San Antonio TX 78216 *
KWEX-TV 411 East Durango San Antonio TX 78204 *
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfield Dr. West Palm Beach FL 33407
WHP-TV 3300 North 6th Street Harrisburg PA 17110
WIAT-TV 2075 Golden Crest Drive Birmingham AL 35209
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville KY 40203
WALA-TV 1501 Satchel Paige Blvd. Mobile AL 36606
WKEF/WRGT-TV 45 Broadcast Plaza Dayton OH 45408
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Boulevard Huntsville AL 35801
WSJV-TV 58096 County Rd. #7 Elkart IN 46517
KWQC-TV 805 Brady St. Davenport IA 52803
WJHG-TV, 8195 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach FL 32407
WTWO-TV PO Box 9268 Terre Haute IN 47808
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WJMN-TV 989 W. Washington St. #103 Marquette, MI 49855 (see ad above!)

* Spanish language station

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