July 13, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 UPDATE:
A veteran news director returns to Texas today.
Labbe
BLAISE LABBE, who’s been the ND for KCTV in Kansas City for 3 1/2 years, has been named Director of News for Sinclair’s new duopoly in San Antonio, WOAI-TV and KABB-TV. He’s a former news director for KWTV in Oklahoma City, and spent more than five years at KENS-TV in San Antonio, first as news operations manager and then assistant news director.
He began his career as a studio camera, moved into news photojournalism, even served a stint as a reporter and weatherman in Wichita Falls, TX. He returned to photography in Amarillo and later Houston, where he was later promoted to Special Projects Producer for KHOU-TV before Belo promoted him to San Antonio.
He replaces TOM BELL who left WOAI earlier this summer to become news director for KOVR-TV in Sacramento.
We’ll have more on this…and all the latest news…in our full report later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
We have lots to tell you this week, with FIVE new news director openings, and THREE newly named news directors.
Those changes bring our list of open news directors jobs to 23.
We have paid help wanted ads for FOUR of those open news director jobs, as well as for an EP positions in Baltimore, San Diego, and for News 12 New Jersey. If you’re not quite ready for those jobs, a Richmond station needs a producer.
And we have lots more to share with you.
We have obituaries for the wife of a well known broadcaster, and another for the mother of a longtime news director.
Lots of items in Names in the News…to which I’ve added ‘…and Other Stuff’.
Like what, you ask?
Well, there’s the list of National Emmy Award nominations, a list which includes eight local stations. Several items about ABC people: an award for a retired correspondent and anchor, the retirement of a longtime bureau producer, and a new job for another veteran ABC producer. We have links to two New York Times articles examining trends in the industry, and details about a number of news managers on the move.
All that following this week’s changes:
New News Director Openings:
WLNE-TV, Providence, RI…BOB ROCKSTROH is leaving this Citadel Communications owned ABC affiliate later this month. He’s been the ND here since January, 2012. Bob’s a former ND in Hartford and Ft. Wayne, and worked as an EP for FiOS1, Verizon’s news operation in New York. He’s also worked in San Francisco, Minneapolis, and San Diego. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA…this Young Broadcasting-owned ABC station is looking for a new news director, following the departure of LISA MELTON, who’d been the ND there for six years and in the market for, I believe, 19 years. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
Jones
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC…congratulations to RASHIDA JONES who’s been named Executive Producer for the CHRIS JANSING show on MSNBC. She’s been the ND for this Raycom owned NBC affiliate for the past two years. She earlier spent seven years at the Weather Channel in a variety of roles, and earlier worked as a producer in Norfolk. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
Davis
WFFF/WVNY-TV, Burlington, VT…TRACY DAVIS is leaving this recently-acquired by Nexstar FOX/ABC duopoly. She’s moving west to become the Assistant News Director for WDJT-TV, the CBS affiliate in Milwaukee. Tracy’s been the ND here since October, 2011, and served as news manager for almost four years before that. She’s also worked in Lafayette, IN. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
KYTX-TV, Tyler, TX…DAN DELGADO has left this CBS affiliate after six years as ND. The station is owned by London Broadcasting.
Newly Named News Directors:
Gaylord
KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK…REBECCA GAYLORD moves from one Hearst station to another as she’s been named news director for this ABC affiliate. Rebecca has been the Assistant News Director for the last four years at another Hearst ABC station, KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. She previously had been a morning EP in Denver and has also worked in Dallas and St. Louis. At KOCO, she replaces STEPHANIE CROSWAIT who resigned in April, one year after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Stephanie had been ND here for four years.
Barnhouse
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA…longtime employee SHERYL BARNHOUSE has been promoted to news director. She’s been the interim ND since BILL ANDERSON left in April, and the Assistant ND for the past eight years. She first joined this now-owned-by-Local TV-but-soon-to-be-owned by Tribune CBS affiliate in 1998 as a producer. Sheryl began her career as a producer at WNCT-TV in Greenville, NC.
Hedrick
KOLN/KGIN-TV, Lincoln, NE…STEPHANIE HEDRICK joins this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate as News Director. She’s currently the EP for another Gray station, KWTX-TV in Waco, TX. She’s also reported, produced, and anchored there. Stephanie also taught English at a school in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ramsett
She replaces SUSAN RAMSETT, who’s been promoted to General Manager here. Susan joined the station as news director in May of 2011, and was promoted to GM last month. She’s a longtime Gray employee, having earlier served as the ND and anchor for Gray’s WSAW-TV in Wausau, WI. Susan also worked for two stations in LaCrosse, WI, and spent two years working for a medical foundation.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WLNE-TV, Providence, RI:
WLNE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Providence, RI is looking for a dynamic individual to lead our News Department. The successful candidate will have the ability to motivate and guide our seasoned staff while teaching and mentoring our newer team members. You must be competitive and have an innate understanding and ability to produce compelling newscast that are viewer centric. Social Media knowledge and experience plays an important role in this position.
This is a great opportunity for the right person; if that’s you, then send a cover letter describing your news philosophy and vision. Also include a resume, DVD or online link and references via email to: amenard@abc6.com
or via mail to:
WLNE-TV
Attn: Business Manager
10 Orms Street
Providence RI 02704
We’ll fill this position as soon as we find the right person! Close date is 7/23/13.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
News Director, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA:
WRIC-TV, an ABC Affiliate, the fastest growing news operation in Richmond, Virginia is seeking a proven, dynamic, and forward thinking News Director who can build from a strong team environment. Applicant is expected to have a successful track record of increasing news ratings consistently.
This news director will be leading an Emmy and AP Award winning staff in a highly competitive market. Candidates should have strong local breaking news and weather coverage experience.
Our news director will be responsible for developing the news department’s strategic plan by advancing relevant content for Broadcast TV, Web, Social Media and all future platforms with impact.
Strong leadership, mentoring, and interpersonal skills are a priority.
This candidate must be very knowledgeable of Nielsen’s measurement systems, create content targeted for the key demographics and put together strong rating period strategic plans.
Previous news management experience is required. A college degree is preferred.
Send resume via email to: personnel@wric.com
or via mail to:
WRIC TV8
Personnel Department
301 Arboretum Place
Richmond VA 23236-3464
or fax your resume to (804) 330-8881.
NO phone calls please. EOE
News Content Director, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:
WIS-TV, Raycom-owned news leader in Columbia, SC, seeks a News Content Director to lead an award-winning team. Perfect candidate will be a passionate, creative and collaborative coach who empowers team members to define and deliver compelling content on all platforms…on-air, online and on mobile. “WIS Investigates” is our brand, so a successful track record with investigative journalism is a definite plus.
Send your vision for making WIS viewers the most well-served in the market via email to: dtodd@wistv.com
or via mail to:
Donita Todd
VP/GM
WIS-TV
1111 Bull Street
Columbia SC 29201
All employment practices of WIS Television shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Personnel decisions and actions shall not be influenced by an applicant’s or employee’s race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin/ancestry or disability.
No phone calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V
News Director, WFFF/WVNY-TV, Burlington, VT:
WFFF/WVNY (Fox44/ABC22) in Burlington, VT is looking for an energetic News Director that will take the station to the next level. The newsroom is getting ready to re-brand its product, and needs someone who is capable of living a brand on all platforms.
The right leader will be able to make decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees, plan and manage staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the news staff, critique newscasts on a daily basis to improve coverage, mentor reporters, work well with other department heads to reach long-term goals, and other duties as assigned.
You must have a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalist or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience, as well as a minimum five years’ experience in news programming production, with at least two years’ experience in a leadership role.
The Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY market is a beautiful region and a great place to live. If you love skiing, hiking, and fall foliage, and think you have what it takes to lead a young newsroom, e-mail your resume to: rhess@fox44now.com
or via mail to:
WFFF/WVNY
Attn: Roger Hess
298 Mountain View Drive
Colchester, VT 05446
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer If you have any questions, contact Terri Bush, Director Human Resources: tlbush@nexstar.tv
Nightside Executive Producer, WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD:
WBAL-TV 11 News, the Hearst NBC affiliate in Baltimore is looking for a Nightside Executive Producer to help lead its Live.Local.Latebreaking newsroom. The right candidate will have a strong content background, be aggressive in covering breaking news, and an understanding of station branding.
The EP will have oversight of all editorial and personnel decisions on assigned shift, as well as broader managerial duties for entire staff related to daily newscasts and special projects. Those broader duties include but are not limited to recruitment, hiring, and training, working with digital team and producing extended coverage and daily newscast as needed.
There’s also opportunity for the EP to be a part of local productions such as the Preakness Stakes, the Baltimore Marathon, and specials for the World Champion Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles. There will be long days, rewarding days and fun days for the candidate who wants to dive into the product and the city. It’s also an opportunity to join one of the most honored newsrooms on the East Coast and one of the most honored companies in media.
To apply for this job you must have at least five years’ experience; some management experience preferred.
Please send resume to Michelle Butt, News Director at mbutt@hearst.com
WBAL-TV is an EEO employer.
News Producer, WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA:
WRIC-TV8 is looking for a producer who is a strategic thinker and can execute a plan, someone who thrives during breaking news situations. The successful candidate must have solid editorial judgment, strong writing skills as well as good people skills.
One to two years TV newscast production preferred.
Send resume via email to: personnel@wric.com
or via mail to:
WRIC TV8 Personnel Department,
301 Arboretum Place
Richmond VA 23236-3464,
or fax your resume to (804) 330-8881
NO phone calls please. EOE
Morning Executive Producer, News 12 New Jersey:
News 12 New Jersey… a 24/7 regional cable news station watched by more people in New Jersey than any other station… is looking for a morning show EP. Be a part of the team that beats most NYC stations in our coverage area every morning. We’re available in 1.7 million households.
News 12 New Jersey is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated news professional to supervise newsgathering and presentation of hyperlocal evening news coverage on all platforms. Responsibilities will include: overseeing editorial content and monitoring the construction of newscasts, copy editing newscast and reporter scripts and working closely with the Assignment Desk Supervisor to monitor developing stories, breaking news and crew logistics.
Other responsibilities include: providing coaching and training for producers; conducting performance reviews; coordinating scheduling of staff; monitoring the news product across all platforms to ensure quality control and maximize added value on the News 12 New Jersey website, infobar, and the 612 content (VOD) channel.
The Executive Producer will also be required to collaborate with the News Director and Assistant News Director to develop special segments and news programming, including but not limited to, elections and town meetings; troubleshoot issues and perform other duties as assigned.
To view the qualifications for this position and submit your resume, please click on the submit button below.
Click here to submit your resume
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintain a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.
Senior Executive Producer, WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA:
WSB-TV in Atlanta is looking for a Senior Executive Producer. This person will be a key manager for Atlanta’s number one-rated news team and one of the nation’s top television stations.
Candidates should have significant newsroom management experience and major market producing experience. The Senior EP will supervise a creative and competitive group of producers, oversee more than 45 hours of news each week, help develop and implement research-based newscast goals, help copy-edit newscasts, and ensure our newscasts have high production values. The successful candidate must know how to lead and motivate.
College degree required. WSB-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides excellent benefits.
E-mail: mike.dreaden@wsbtv.com
No phone calls please.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (listed 6/30/13)
WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 7/5/13)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listing revised 6/7/13)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 6/16/13)
WBND/WCWW-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 7/5/13)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 6/16/13)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 5/10/13)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
News 12 New Jersey, Edison, NY (Morning EP, listed 7/5/13, see ad above!)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 6/30/13)
KNTV, San Francisco/San Jose, CA (PM EP, listed 5/10/13)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (Morning EP, relisted 6/2/13)
WRC-TV, Washington, DC (listed 5/10/13)
WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA (Senior EP, listed 7/5/13, see ad above!)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (AM & PM openings, listed 6/30/13)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 5/10/13)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 5/10/13)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 6/7/13)
WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD (Nightside EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 6/30/13)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/23/13)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 7/5/13)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (AM EP, listing revised 6/16/13)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/7/13)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM EP, relisted 6/16/13)
WCSH-TV, Portland, ME (Dayside EP, listed 6/30/13)
Obituaries:
DONNA JEAN O’REILLY, wife of longtime broadcaster TERRY O’REILLY, died July 3rd after a brief illness. She was 59. Donna is survived by Terry, who’s currently President of Twin Cities Public Television. He’s previously been an executive at the Weather Channel, CONUS, and for Hubbard Broadcasting. A kind note of remembrance can be sent to Terry at: toreilly@tpt.org
MADGE LOUISE FAST, mother of longtime news director PERRY BOXX, died Thursday, July 11, at an Arkansas hospital. She was 84 and is survived by Perry and another son. Visitation will be held Sunday night with a graveside service on Monday. Your note of sympathy would reach Perry at: perrylboxx@aol.com
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.
This week: Meet KARLA STANLEY:
Successful and experienced Medium Market News Director/Big Market EP who’s been out of TV for five years and anxious to return! What YOU get: 20 years of successful TV News/Internet management experience. Six Sigma, HR, Diversity Training. Positive energy. What I get: A second chance to use my skills to make you shine. Phone: 216-702-0115 Email: kk.stanley@hotmail.com. Reel is here.
Names in the News…and other stuff:
Congratulations to eight local stations which received nominations in the National Emmy Award nominations which were announced on Thursday. Click here for the complete list.
WWOR-TV, the only commercial over the air station licensed to New Jersey, has cancelled its last newscast, a 30 minute broadcast at 10:00 PM, and replaced it with a program called “Chasing New Jersey”. This New York Times story looks at the controversial move.
Speaking of the Times, it also looked at the recent spurt of station sales, and suggests that some of the buying is driven by the opportunity to buy stations in markets with a lot of political advertising.
Former ABC News correspondent CAROLE SIMPSON has been named winner of the RTDNF Colonel Barney Oldfield Distinguished Service Award. Carole retired from ABC in 2006 to become Leader-in-Residence at Emerson College in Boston.
Goldberg
Congratulations to old friend HARVEY GOLDBERG on his retirement from television at the age of 64. Harvey’s spent the last 19 years of his career at ABC News, working in Atlanta with my client and friend STEVE OSUNSAMI. Harvey’s also worked at CBS News and worked as a news director at WDIV-TV in Detroit. Harvey’s a Wisconsin native, and he’ll spend most of his retirement rooting for his beloved Green Bay Packers.
Another ABC News veteran, MARK LIMA, moves to VP/News of Fusion, the new network that’s a joint venture of ABC and Univision.
BRAD LUCK has been named Assistant News Director at WVIT-TV in Hartford/New Haven. It’s a return to the East Coast for Brad, who’s a Maryland native. He’s been an EP at KSWB-TV in San Diego and also worked at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles for ten years in a variety of roles.
MARK PARRICK moves from producer at WFLA-TV in Tampa to Kansas City, where he’ll be an EP for WDAF-TV.
Wilhelm
Three management promotions at KWCH-TV in Wichita. KIM WILHELM, who joined this CBS affiliate as a reporter in 2001, has been promoted to Assistant News Director. She’s currently the Managing Editor and a Fact Finder Investigator. And two veteran producers have been promoted to Executive Producer. JENNIFER SEARLE will oversee the station’s morning newscast while ROB MARTIN will supervise nights before moving to days in January.
One-time Indianapolis News Director KEVIN FINCH is headed to academia as a Visiting Professor at Washington and Lee’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications. Kevin’s a former ND at both WRTV and WISH-TV here in Indianapolis, also worked as WTHR-TV and began his career as a producer and reporter in Illinois.
GM Notes:
DON RAY is retiring as GM of Gray Television’s WSAZ-TV in Charleston/Huntington, WV, a job he’s held since 1989, through at least three different owners. He’ll be replaced by MATT JAQUINT. That was one of several GM moves announced by Gray this week, including the promotion of SUSAN RAMSETT in Lincoln that we reported above. You can read about the rest by clicking here.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, July 13, 2013.
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 *
KMSP/WFTC 11358 Viking Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Rd. Sacramento CA 95820
XETV 8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WOAI-TV 1031 Navarro St. San Antonio TX 78205
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Dr. NE Grand Rapids MI 49525
WHP-TV 3300 North 6th Street Harrisburg PA 17110
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW Albuquerque NM 87104
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence RI 02904 (see ad above!)
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Place Richmond VA 23236 (see ad above!)
KTUL-TV 3200 S. 29th West Ave. Tulsa OK 74107
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
WEYI-TV 2225 W. Willard Road Clio MI 48420
WSET-TV 2320 Langhorne Rd. Lynchburg VA 24501
KGUN-TV 7280 E. Rosewood St. Tucson, AZ 85710
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St. Columbia SC 29211 (see ad above!)
WFFF/WVNY-TV 298 Mountain View Dr. Colchester VT 05446 (see ad above!)
KRCG-TV Highway 54 North Holts Summit MO 65043
WTWO-TV PO Box 9268 Terre Haute IN 47808
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway Bluefield, WV 24701
WUTR/WFXV/WPNY 5956 Smith Hill Rd. Utica NY 13502
WLIO-TV 1424 Rice Ave. Lima OH 45805
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
* Spanish language station