July 13, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014 UPDATE:
Michaelsen
Veteran News Director LANE MICHAELSEN resigned today as News Director of Meredith’s WGCL-TV in Atlanta. He’s been ND there for about 16 months, joining this CBS affiliate in March, 2013, after about a year as ND for WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. Lane’s also been an ND in Washington, DC, Tampa, and Little Rock, served as VP/News for Ganettt, and worked at Poynter. He began his career as a photographer and spent eight years as Director of Photography at KARE-TV in Minneapolis.
I’ve left a message for Lane and will hope to have his response by the time of our full report later this week.
regards,
gevers
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Wednesday, July 16, 2014 UPDATE:
LaVelle
Congratulations to RHONDA LaVELLE, who gets her first News Director job today as she’s been promoted at KPRC-TV in Houston, the Post-Newsweek station there. Rhonda’s been the interim ND since DEBORAH COLLURA left in May to become GM at WCNC-TV in Charlotte.
Rhonda just joined this NBC affiliate in March, but she’s no stranger to Post-Newsweek, having worked for sister-station WDIV-TV in Detroit for 16 years, most recently as the Executive Producer.
More on this story in our full report later this week.
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Greetings:
Ever start a job as the only employee of the news department, with your first day around a table in an apartment with only one landline phone to work with? That’s the backstory of one ND who’s moving from that job (a job he’s held for 18 years) to become a general manager.
That’s one of THREE new openings in this week’s report, with TWO newly named NDs, one in a top five market. Those changes leave our count of open ND jobs at 26.
If you’d like to be a Morning EP, there are TWO such opportunities among the FOUR paid help wanted ads this week.
And in Names in the News, we’ll tell you about a few news managers on the move, and new jobs for some former NDs.
All that…and more…below.
New News Director Openings:
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL…we reported earlier this week that MIKE GARBER is leaving this Scripps’ owned NBC affiliate for a job in Dallas (more below). He’s been the ND here for two years. Scripps has dispatched DAN WILSON, the assistant ND for KNXV-TV in Phoenix, to serve as the interim ND here, while JAMIE IOOS will step up from EP to handle Dan’s duties while he is away.
Kelly
WBMA/WCFT/WJSU-TV, Birmingham, AL…congratulations to longtime ND and old friend GARRY KELLY who’s leaving this owned-by-Albritton-for-now ABC affiliate to become the GM for WSLS-TV, the Media General owned NBC affiliate in Roanoke, VA. Garry was the first ND here, as he described in a note to me:
It is hard leaving this station. Remember it did not exist when I first started. On my first day there were three of us sitting around a dining room table in an apartment with one phone (a land line). I helped carry in the set, helped pull the wiring and cables throughout the building and hired everyone in the department that’s there today. Ten of those people were part of the original team.
That was in 1996. He’d been an ND in Huntsville for three years, and has also worked in Nashville, Denver, and Detroit.
Assistant ND JEFF HOUSTON will be the interim ND. A permanent replacement will likely await the completion of the sale of the station. Albritton announced plans to sell to Sinclair but the deal has been held up and faces a deadline later this month.
KTAB/KRBC-TV, Abilene, TX…after 2+ years here, KEVIN OSGOOD is trading hot weather for cold as he moves to sister-Nexstar station WFRV-TV in Green Bay as its next ND. More below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Garber
KTVT/KTXA-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…as noted above, MIKE GARBER will be the next news director for this CBS owned duopoly. Mike’s been the ND for Scripps’ WPTV in West Palm Beach for the past two years. Before that, he spent four years as ND in Jacksonville, FL, (WLTV/WJXX-TV), five years as ND WLTX-TV in Columbia, SC, and as an Assistant ND in Tucson. Mike began his career as a sports producer for two stations in Tampa and in San Francisco. In Dallas, he becomes the fifth ND in eight years as he replaces ADRIENNE ROARK, who left to become a GM for KOIN-TV in Portland. (Apologies to Mike: our earlier report listed him as a GM at WLTX when he was the ND there.)
Osgood
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI…KEVIN OSGOOD will be the next ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. We told you above that he’s leaving his job as ND for the company’s Abilene duopoly, KTAB/KRBC-TV. Kevin’s a former ND in Huntsville. He’s also worked in Richmond, Tampa, and for a second Huntsville station, and took a seven year hiatus from news to work for several companies in the set design field. At WFRV, he replace KENT HARRELL who left after not quite two years to return to Illinois as ND for WICS-TV in Springfield.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Morning Executive Producer, KATU-TV, Portland, OR:
KATU seeks a dynamic newsroom leader to help create and execute the most innovative newscast in the Portland, Oregon market.
The ideal candidate has a passion for morning news, an award-winning background in local television news production, and a vision for how to showcase the morning team in new, exciting ways every day. Oh yeah, and the ideal candidate is a social media rock star who really knows how to incorporate digital content into our daily coverage.
Duties include providing input and constructive oversight for newscast producers on story selection and presentation, reviewing reporter scripts for creativity and accuracy, and coaching the team on strategic initiatives including programming to the target audience, managing meters, weather storytelling and creating more organic anchor “moments.”
Candidates must also demonstrate strong news judgment and the ability to coordinating an aggressive response to breaking news and weather.
So grab your outdoors gear and your hunger for award-winning chefs and every kind of food cart under the sun. It’s a great opportunity to shine as a first-time or newer manager in one of the most desirable cities in the Pacific Northwest.
News Director Tiffani Lupenski will make the hire. But to get her attention, you first need to apply online by clicking here!
Morning Executive Producer, WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT:
WTNH — the ABC affiliate in the Hartford/New Haven, CT market — has an immediate opening for a morning show Executive Producer.
So what are we looking for?
A real morning show specialist and leader. Someone who can guide the coverage on their shift. Make the important calls as to crews, resources and what gets on the air.
An innovator. We need someone has great ideas and who’ll adopt the mantra that today’s shows are going to be different than any shows we’ve aired before.
A motivator. Can you get the people working with you excited about today’s challenge?
A Watchdog for the Brand. We’re the Voice of the People. That means our stories have to have some viewer benefit and they have to be told through the eyes and voices of real people. We also say “We’ve Got Your Back” a lot: we want to do stories that stand up for the regular guy, ask tough questions and hold people accountable.
Why New Haven? This is a fantastic part of the country, miles from the Long Island Sound and located in easy driving/train riding distance from New York, Boston, Cape Cod, Philadelphia and the JerseyShore.
WTNH has a large newsroom with three satellite newsrooms, multiple sat trucks, live vans and TVUs. Do you want to work for a newsroom that is growing?
Apply at wthh.com
Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled
Assistant News Director, KRCR-TV, Redding, CA:
KRCR/KCVU is looking for an Assistant News Director to help manage a dynamic newsroom filled with young journalists eager to be the best they can be.
This is a fantastic opportunity to earn those management stripes.
You will work closely with the News Director in running all aspects of the KRCR news department as well as any new start-up operations.
Duties include supervising all reporters, producers, anchors and photographers as well as overseeing the news production department. You will be instrumental in building and executing a successful strategic plan across our broadcast, web, social media and mobile platforms.
The right person will be an energetic leader with good motivational skills who wants to teach visual storytelling and solid journalism techniques to people who are often just getting their start in the business. Good organizational and computer skills are also a must.
We are a fun group of people who work hard and play hard in gorgeous Northern California. We are surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers and streams and just a couple of hours away from the beach. It’s a great job in a dreamy place to live.
Four years of producing or assignment desk experience is preferred along with a college degree.
Send resume to: Jennifer Scarborough, News Director: jscarborough@krcrtv.com
or via mail to:
Jennifer Scarborough
News Director
KRCR
755 Auditorium Drive
Redding CA 96001
KRCR-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Executive Producer, KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX:
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/ FILL-IN PRODUCER needed for award-winning ABC affiliate in Abilene, Texas. This position is responsible for training and overseeing our AM, 5p, 6p, 10p, and weekend newscasts.
We are looking for someone who ensures our goals of “getting the facts right, and alerting to weather danger”. The right candidate will have strong news judgment, and solid fact checking abilities. Other duties include: rundown supervision, ensuring clear and compelling writing that matches video, and also working with producing staff to develop custom graphics.
This position will assist the Assignment Editor, Internet Content Director, and News Director. This position will also be involved with special projects including elections, ratings periods, and major breaking stories. Creativity is a must, we are looking for an EP to help differentiate our newscasts. This is primarily a dayside Monday- Friday position, however, schedule changes will occur based on training needs. This position will fill-in as producer as needed.
If you are interested in getting into management, this is a great opportunity. At least three years of producing experience required. Send resume and link to News Director Jason Goodwin via email: jgoodwin@ktxs.com or resume and tape via mail to:
Executive Producer Opening
KTXS-TV
Attn: Jason Goodwin
News Director
4420 N. Clack
Abilene TX 79601
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 5/24/14)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/15/14)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 6/15/14)
KRCR/KCVU-TV, Redding, CA: (listed 7/6/14, see ad above!)
WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL (relisted this week)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (AM EP, listed 5/30/14)
WLS-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 5/24/14)
KTVU-TV, San Francisco/Oakland, CA (Digital EP, listed 6/22/14)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 6/15/14)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 6/22/14)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, listed 7/6/14, see ad above!)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 6/15/14)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 6/22/14)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (2 positions, EP & Spec. Proj., new listing this week)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (Dayside EP, listed 6/22/14)
WTEV/WAWS, Jacksonville, FL (AM EP, listed 5/11/14)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 6/15/14)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Nightside EP, listed 5/24/14)
WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 5/30/14)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (PM EP, new listing this week)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (listed 5/30/14)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, relisted 6/22/14)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 5/24/14)
KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AK (relisted this week)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 5/30/14)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 7/6/14, see ad above!)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (relisted 5/18/14)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (listed 6/15/14)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (new listing this week)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Digital ME, relisted 5/18/14)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 6/7/14)
DIRECTOR OF NEWS TECHNOLOGY:
WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 5/24/14)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 5/18/14)
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:
DAVE OVERACKER has been promoted to Assistant News Director at WHEC-TV in Rochester, NY. He’s been the Managing Editor for this Hubbard owned NBC affiliate. Dave started at the station in 1992 as a photojournalist, moved to the assignment desk and then assignment manager before becoming Managing Editor.
Two new managers at WSJV-TV in Elkhart/South Bend, IN. ALLISON GIBSON, who spent more than 18 years at News 12 New Jersey, joins this Quincy owned FOX affiliate as the Evening EP. And JENNIFER SCHNEIDER has been named Morning EP. She’s been working at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, WI.
News of some former news directors:
Former two-time Tuscon (and Tampa, Ft. Myers, and Albuquerque) news director FORREST CARR joins KEVT-AM in Tucson as host of a two hour talk show from 10:00 AM to noon. More in the second item in this story. He’ll follow another former ND, JIM PARISI, who’s station manager and hosts the 7:00-10:00 am block. Jim’s a former ND in Albany, South Bend, and West Virginia.
DAN DENNISON has been promoted to Senior Communications Manager for the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. He joined the agency six months ago as Education and Outreach Coordinator. He’s a former Honolulu ND who’s worked in a number of other markets as you can see by his Linkedin bio.
Our Full List of ND Openings:
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, July 13, 2014.
KWHY-TV 1201 West 5th St., # T-900 Los Angeles CA 90017 *
New England Cable News, 160 Wells Avenue Newton, MA 02459
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston MA 02134
WFDC-TV 101 Constitution Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 *
KPRC-TV 8181 SW Freeway Houston TX 77074
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave. Seattle WA 98121
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WEWS-TV 3001 Euclid Ave. Cleveland OH 44115
KMAX-TV 2713 Kovr Drive Sacramento CA 95605
KOIN-TV 222 SW Columbia St. Portland OR 97201
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte NC 28217
WHP-TV 3300 North 6th Street Harrisburg PA 17110
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach FL 33401
WBMA/WCFT/WJSU-TV 800 Concourse Parkway, # 200, Birmingham, AL 35244
WTLV/WJXX-TV, 1070 E. Adams St. Jacksonville, FL 32202
WSET-TV 2320 Langhorne Rd. Lynchburg VA 24501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines IA 50266
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WCBD-TV 210 W. Coleman Blvd. Charleston SC 29464
KVRR-TV 4015 9th Ave S Fargo ND 58103
WAKA-TV 3251 Harrison Road Montgomery AL 36109
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette LA 70506
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman Pocatello ID 83201
KTAB/KRBC-TV 4510 S. 14th St. Abiliene, TX 79605
KLDO/KXOF-TV 226 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78040
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849
* Spanish language station