July 11, 2015
Greetings:
THREE new ND openings in our report this week, with ONE ND getting a promotion within her company, leaving (by our unofficial count) 36 stations with news director openings.
TWO of those ND openings are featured in our FIVE paid help wanted ads this week.
We have a taker on our free Situations Wanted ad, a handful of news management openings, some news managers on the move, and details on a former ND and consultant…now a South Carolina State Representative…and his no vote on removing the Confederate battle flag.
All that and more below.
New News Director Openings:
Roghaar
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL…as you know from our UPDATE earlier this week, PETER ROGHAAR is leaving his news director’s job at his Tegna (formerly Gannett) owned CBS station at the end of September to take a job in the station’s sales department. Peter’s been the ND here for 5+ years, spent almost ten years as a news director in West Palm Beach, and has also worked in Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Austin, TX (two stations). Peter’s Linkedin page has the details. In his email to staff, Peter said he’s always been interested in the business side.
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM…SUE STEPHENS is being promoted within Hearst to take over the newsroom at the company’s WVTM-TV in Birmingham, AL. She’s been the ND for this ABC affiliate for more than 12 years. More on that below. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted Ad below.
Wojtanik
KIMA/KEPR-TV, Yakima/Pasco, WA…after more than nine years as News Director here, ROBIN WOJTANIK is leaving these Sinclair owned CBS affiliates to be a full-time Mom. She’s also worked in Seattle, Cleveland, and Palm Springs, CA.
Also, you may have seen reports that KBTX-TV (Bryan, TX) ND JAMIE BURCH has left that Gray TV owned station. GM MIKE WRIGHT was nice enough to email while on vacation, and told me due to ‘shifted personnel’ there is not an ND opening there. I’ll reach out to him and update in our next edition.
Newly Named News Directors:
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL…as mentioned above (as well as in our UPDATE last Wednesday) SUE STEPHENS will be the next ND for this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. The local newspaper has more. Sue’s spent the last 12 years as ND for Hearst’s KOAT-TV, the ABC affiliate in Albuquerque. She’s also been an ND in Springfield, IL, and has worked in Atlanta, Mobile, and Charleston, SC. Sue told me she still has many friends in Alabama from her time in Mobile. At WVTM, she replaces TIM GARDNER who was ND here for eight years.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM:
KOAT-TV Hearst Television’s ABC affiliate in Albuquerque, NM is looking for a seasoned manager to lead the news department. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, skilled communicator who leads our number-one rated team in the execution of market-leading breaking news, breaking weather coverage and community service on all platforms daily. With a great team already in place and the resources of Hearst Television, this is a rare opportunity to join one of the best in the nation.
Job Responsibilities:
Management of news department including editorial leadership of content on KOAT, and digital platforms
Recruiting and leadership of news staff
Execution of contemporary news product on all platforms
Budget administration
News Department strategic planning in collaboration with Creative Services Director
Collaboration with other department heads on strategic station planning/initiatives
Experience Requirements:
Prior experience as a news director a plus. Without that, five (5) plus years of broadcast television newsroom management
Proven track record of mentoring/coaching a news staff
Ability to demonstrate how the candidate has improved news product at another broadcast television station
Qualifications Requirements:
Strong communication skills
Valid Driver’s License
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree preferred
To Apply: Please apply online with your resume at: careers.hearsttelevision.com
EOE – M/F/D/V
News Director, WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY:
WKBW, an E.W. Scripps owned ABC affiliate in Buffalo, NY seeks an experienced news leader to run its newsroom. The News Director is responsible for developing and implementing measurable strategies for audience growth while effectively managing news content delivered on multiple platforms.
We are seeking candidates with demonstrated qualities such as:
Creating & implementing strategic plans for audience growth and newsroom operations
Communicating a compelling and inspired vision consistent with company strategy
Analyzing and responding to trends affecting the industry and DMA
Building and maintaining key relationships to foster a positive news image within the community
Working closely with other members of station management team to develop and attain departmental and station goals
Ability to adapt current resources to emerging technology
Proven and effective leadership skills; fosters open dialogue, empowers others
It’s a great time to join WKBW with the significant investment made in the station and its people. You will have the opportunity to make a big impact in this competitive news market.
Buffalo is on the move, with a new economy rapidly taking shape due to evolving investments in advanced manufacturing, life science and high techindustries. Also with an affordable cost of living and excellent schools, the city is ideal for people looking to move.
If you are ready for a new adventure, please visit www.scripps.com/careers and submit your information to requisition #10567.
WKBW and E.W. Scripps are equal employment opportunity employers.
Morning Executive Producer, WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA:
WHTM-TV/abc27, the leading multi-platform news operation in Pennsylvania’s beautiful state capital is growing its morning team!
Are you a great producer looking to move into a senior leadership role? This could be the opportunity for you!
We are hiring a Morning Executive Producer to lead our a.m. news efforts. This person will assist in producing 2.5 hours of morning news and will be a key leader on our management team.
Abc27 News Daybreak is the fastest growing morning news in the DMA, up significantly in 2014. Our new EP will be crucial in continuing this success, insuring proper execution of our mission and strategy on all platforms in the morning. Our EP will also help guarantee excellent showcasing is being achieved.
Applicants should be skilled in web and social media content and understand the importance of strength in all of these areas. You must be a strong, decisive leader with excellent news judgment and an aggressive appetite for breaking news.
This is a full-time position that offers a full benefit plan.
Harrisburg offers a great location, close to the great outdoors of Pennsylvania and just a short drive to Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore and Washington D.C. When you’re not playing, visiting the great museums in Philadelphia or kayaking the breathtaking Susquehanna River, you’ll be working in a great newsroom!
Send resume, cover letter, and a DVD or link of your most recent newscast to: humanresources@abc27.com
or via mail to:
Human Resources
WHTM-TV abc27
P.O. Box 5860
3235 Hoffman Street
Harrisburg PA 17110
Morning Executive Producer, KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO:
KOAA News5, the Colorado Broadcasters Association Station of the Year and the number one NBC affiliate in beautiful Colorado Springs-Pueblo, is searching for an Executive Producer to push the envelope on our award-winning two-and-a-half-hour newscast.
We are looking for a true leader who can manage a morning team of 10+ employees. We set the pace in the market on multiple platforms including web, mobile and social media. We staff for multiple morning lives shots, in a fast paced, informative newscast that is always what’s new, now, and next.
The ideal candidate will be a great mentor for producers, and a team player with seasoned journalists. You will coordinate with marketing, collaborate with other news managers and bring creative solutions to the table. You must be able to make smart decisions and execute last minute changes without supervision.
We are an investigative station in a market with a lot of breaking news, including critical weather conditions during morning drive.
At least two years line producing experience required, but strong leadership qualities are even more important. Familiarity with NBC NewsChannel, ENPS, World Now and Ross Overdrive is helpful.
If you land this job you will get to work in one of the most beautiful places on earth, in a happy newsroom, with competitive pay. We invest in our employees with training opportunities like Poynter and IRE, great benefits and a lot of fun team building (we’re having a Fit Bit challenge for a cruise right now!) We love what we do and where we work – come see why.
Rush your resume & link to your work to EPJob@KOAA.com, SUBJECT LINE: Executive Producer
NO phone calls please.
Executive Producer, WTVM-TV, Columbus, Georgia:
WTVM News Leader 9, Raycom’s legacy station in Columbus, Georgia is seeking a full-time Executive News Producer with exceptional showcasing skills. The successful candidate will lead producers in developing compelling content for newscasts, web and mobile that delivers on our promise of Coverage You Can Count On.
Raycom gives us all the latest news gathering tools: multiple live trucks, a satellite truck, LiveU backpacks, the leading news and weather apps and a well-staffed newsroom with a “digital first” urgency.
The successful candidate will possess superior writing and organizational skills and have a passion for news.
Columbus, Georgia offers great outdoor activities, like our world class white water rafting course on the Chattahoochee River; zip lines, a 25 mile Riverwalk from Columbus to Fort Benning and a friendly southern lifestyle. We’re located just an hour and a half southwest of Atlanta and just a three hour drive from Florida beaches.
To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity, please apply on line at www.raycommedia.com/careers with links to your work.
No phone calls please. EOE/M/F/D/V.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 6/14/15)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/7/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 7/5/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 6/14/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 6/21/15)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 5/24/15)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 5/30/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Proj. & newscast EP, relisted this week)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/21/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, listed 7/5/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 6/14/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 6/14/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (new listing this week)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 6/28/15)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 7/5/15, see ad above!)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted this week)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (AM EP, listed 6/28/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 5/24/15)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listed 7/5/15, see ad above!)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 6/14/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 7/5/15, see ad above!)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 6/14/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (relisted this week)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 6/28/15)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 5/24/15)
Obituary:
TOM HIGGINS, a former News Director and Anchor for WYIN-TV, the PBS station in Northwest Indiana, died this week at the age of 82. His obituary from the local newspaper is here.
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.
This week, meet LON TEGELS:
Tegels
Looking for a news director or assistant news director? I’m available. Award winning news executive with 25 years managerial expertise. Specializes in taking under performing newsrooms and transitioning them into successful operations that draw eyeballs. I’m able to take on large projects and logistics, develop strategic plans, and lead staff. My news director experience includes small and medium markets including Des Moines, Rockford, Sioux City, Lima and Gulfport. Top 20 management and supervisory experience in San Diego and Hartford.
Managed all four network affiliates under one roof providing news programming for each. Launched duopoly from scratch. I’m a teacher, educator, coach and mentor. Always looking to break standard paradigms. Workaholic who strives to balance personal life. If you want to hear from staff, check out Linkedin.com . Send me an e-mail (lontegels@gmail.com) and I will forward my materials.
Names in the News…and other things:
WOFL-TV in Orlando reached across town to hire its new Assistant News Director, STEVE LINDEN. He’d been working on the Assignment Desk for WKMG-TV. Steve’s also worked in New York (three stations).
ADAM DARSKY heads to New Haven/Hartford, CT, as the new Assistant News Director for WTNH-TV, the ABC affiliate there. He previously was the morning EP for WABC-TV in New York. Adam has also worked in Houston, Charlotte, Tucson, Savannah, and Sherman, TX.
Hanner
MARK HANNER is the new Assistant ND for WDJT-TV in Milwaukee. He most recently was the Assistant ND for NewsChannel 8, which is WJLA-TV’s cable news operation in Washington. He’s a one-time ND in Yuma, AZ, has been a producer for CBS News, CNN, and Bloomberg News, and has worked in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, Salinas/Monterey, and Santa Barbara, CA.
Taylor
One time news director/anchor-turned consultant (Magid and AR&D)-turned politician BILL TAYLOR was one of 20 South Carolina State Representatives who voted against the bill to remove the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina Statehouse grounds. He explained his position in this email he sent to followers.
General Manager News:
BILL BRADLEY is the new GM for Sinclair’s WHP-TV in Harrisburg, PA. He’s been the Director of Sales for the company’s WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, MI. He’s also worked in Chicago, Minneapolis, Baltimore, and Louisville.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, July 11, 2015.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.comKCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave. Los Angeles CA 91604
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
KXAS-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Fort Worth TX 76155
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Boulevard St. Petersburg FL 33702
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WKRC-TV 1906 Highland Ave. Cincinnati OH 45219
WSPA-TV 250 International Drive Spartanburg SC 29303
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas 89109
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St. Portsmouth VA 23705
KOAT-TV 3801 Carlisle Boulevard NE Albuquerque NM 87107 (see ad above!)
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202 (see ad above!)
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St Toledo OH 43604
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WFIE-TV 1115 Mount Auburn Rd. Evansville IN 47720
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee FL 32309
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323 Tyler TX 75701
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WPTA/WISE-TV 3401 Butler Rd Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Blvd. Macon GA 31201
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus GA 31901
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KWES-TV P.O. Box 60150 Midland, TX 79711
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
WDHN-TV 5274 E. State Highway 52 East Dothan AL 36376
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse Street, Jackson, TN 38301
WHSV-TV 50 North Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849
* Spanish language station