July 19, 2015
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 UPDATE:
There’s news of an ND change in a top 20 market today.
Hyvonen
STEVE HYVONEN, who’s been the News Director for Graham Media’s WKMG-TV in Orlando since March, 2008, announced his resignation today. His departure comes less than a month after a new GM, JEFF HOFFMAN, arrived at this CBS affiliate.
Steve’s also been an ND in Cleveland and Birmingham, has worked in Hartford, Miami (two stations), and Ft. Myers, and also for MSNBC. His entire background is detailed on his Linkedin page. The local newspaper has more in this story.
And we’ll have more in our full report later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, July 20, 2015 UPDATE:
A veteran news director who’s spent most of his career running local cable news operations announced his upcoming retirement today.
Lynch
WAYNE LYNCH…who’s run Northwest Cable News in Seattle for eleven years…will step down September 4th. NWCN shares facilities with sister-Tegna operation KING-TV. KING’s Executive News Director, MARK GINTHER, sent this note to both staffs.
Wayne was the founding ND for NewsChannel 8 in Washington, where he worked for eleven years. He’s also worked on a cable start-up in Milwaukee, was an ND for WRIC-TV in Richmond, and also worked in Baltimore and Columbus, OH. His career started as a reporter for the Akron Beacon-Journal. More details on his Linkedin page.
Wayne told me he plans to keep active, including teaching as an adjunct at the University of Washington-Tacoma. He also volunteers with mental health and suicide prevention organizations, with which he became involved after the suicide of his younger brother, his best friend, some ten years ago.
Wayne would welcome your kind note via an email to: wlynch@nwcn.com
Congrats to Wayne…a good guy.
We’ll have more on this story and all the latest developments…in our full newsletter which may be delayed by this week’s Brickyard 400 NASCAR race here in Indianapolis.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ****** ****
Greetings:
FIVE new ND openings in this week’s report…THREE new news directors…and a total of 38 stations looking for a new news director. Please take a moment to take a look at our oromplete list at the end of this newsletter…and let me know if any of those jobs have been filled.
We have paid help wanted ads for FOUR of those 38 openings, and a total of FIVE paid help wanted ads in all.
There’s a new study out that shows TV news viewership is increasing. That’s in our Names in the News (and other stuff) section below, along with some news managers on the move.
We also have a taker on our free Situations Wanted feature. (If you’re on the beach and looking, we’ll try and help you with a free posting.)
A former ND turned longtime GM in Kansas has left his post, and we have news of two other GM moves. And there’s an obituary for a long-ago Orlando news director, and the latest hurdle for a veteran ND turned author in his fight against cancer.
All that and more below!
New News Director Openings:
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX…JON McCALL is retiring (again!). He’s been the ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate twice. His current gig there was supposed to be a temporary assignment which lasted two years. Jon’s also been an ND in Decatur, IL, Bangor, ME, and Harrisburg, PA.
Stevenson
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL…this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate is looking for a new news director. HEATHER (VOUDRIE) STEVENSON has been the ND here since October, 2008, when she was promoted from Executive Producer. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad listed just below.
Huger
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA…DARRYL HUGER is leaving this Raycom Media owned ABC affiliate to return to South Carolina, where he worked previously and still owns a home. Before coming to WTVM in January, 2013, Darryl was the Assistant ND for Raycom’s WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC. He’s also worked for another Charleston station, two stations in Columbia, SC, and in Raleigh. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV…MARK DURHAM plans to leave this West Virginia Media owned CBS/FOX operation at the end of September when his contract expires. Mark’s been the ND here September, 2012, and has also worked in Orlando (twice), Miami, Chattanooga, Tucson, Seattle, Denver, St. Louis, and Sarasota. Learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
KULR-TV, Billings, MT…ALAN WAGMEISTER is headed to Ft. Wayne, IN, as ND for WPTA/WISE-TV there. More on that below. He’s been ND here for more than two years. KULR is an NBC affiliate owned by Cowles.
We promised you an UPDATE on KBTX-TV in Bryan, TX. We told you last week that JAMIE BURCH had left this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate after not quite two years as ND. GM MIKE WRIGHT tells me that there is no ND opening right now: News Operations Manager JOSH GORBUTT is serving as interim ND while the station considers its next move.
Finally, apologies to ROBIN WOJTANIK whose name I misspelled in our report that she is leaving KIMA/KEPR-TV in Yakima/Pasco, WA.
Newly Named News Directors:
Knopps
WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH…ANTHONY KNOPPS moves from West Toledo to downtown as he ‘crosses the street’ to become ND for this Raycom Media owned CBS affiliate. Here’s the memo sent to the WTOL staff. Anthony’s been the Assistant ND at WTVG-TV (Gray TV/ABC) in Toledo for almost 12 years. He’s also worked in Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Cape Girardeau. Anthony’s also travelled abroad to teach journalism. At WTOL, he replaces CJ HOYT who announced in May he was leaving after four years as ND.
Wagmeister
WPTA/WISE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN…ALAN WAGMEISTER will be the next ND for this ABC/NBC duopoly. GM DON OSIKA filled the staff in via this memo. Alan has been the ND for KULR-TV in Billings, MT, for the past three years. Before that, he was an EP for WRNN-TV in New York and spent eight years as the Special Projects Producer for WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC. He’s also worked for several networks as a producer. In Ft. Wayne, he replaces PETER NEUMANN who retired after more than nine years as ND here, which followed 21 years as an ND in Pensacola.
Monroe
KION-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA…DEB MONROE moves from radio and returns to TV as the new ND for this News Press and Gazette Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. Earlier in her career she worked for KUTV in Salt Lake City. More recently, Deb’s worked for KGO radio in San Francisco for the past four years. Her full background is here on her Linkedin page. At KION, she replaces LESLIE MILLER who left in April for a new job in Florida after just over a year as ND.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL:
WHBF TV, the CBS affiliate in Rock Island, IL (Mkt #100) seeks a dynamic News Director to lead our team of journalists. With the Iowa Caucus just around the corner, this is a terrific opportunity for an experienced journalist who understands how to put stories in context and win the big coverage events. Every candidate in the Presidential race will be coming through our area in the next 6 months. If you know how to cover politics with the viewer in mind this is your next job.
Other qualifications include a strong background in producing newscasts with an emphasis on local enterprise stories. How to generate good storytelling and your ability to coach this important skill to your team will be essential in obtaining this job. You need to be a hands on manager who is not afraid to produce a newscast or spend hours in the edit room working on an investigative story.
The Quad Cities is an exceptional place to live and raise a family. Strong family values in a picturesque Midwest setting, with the mighty Mississippi River rolling through the heart of it all, bordering IA and IL. Easy travel to Chicago, Des Moines and Madison. Active communities with numerous fairs, festivals and activities for all, throughout the year. Home of John Deere World HQ, Alcoa and Rock Island Arsenal (1st Army), along with the John Deere Classic PGA event.
To apply go to: https://nexstar.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/248
EEO/M-F
News/Content Director, WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA:
WTVM, the Raycom-owned ABC affiliate in Columbus, GA (DMA 126) is looking for a hands-on news and digital coverage leader who knows how to use every tool available to craft exceptional content.
WTVM is the long-time market leader in the Columbus, GA-Opelika-Auburn, AL market. Covering two states, WTVM is the only station with a fully staffed news bureau on the campus of Auburn University.
The News/Content Director oversees a News Operations Manager, Assistant News Director, Executive Producer, Digital Content Manager and a full staff of producers, anchors and MMJs.
Raycom Media gives us tremendous news gathering equipment and support, including three LiveU backpacks, two live trucks and a dual path satellite-ENG truck.
Our news cameras use the new Zixi software platform that enables live reporting through the camera alone, an example of the many cutting edge assets used by our news department.
The successful News/Content Director candidate will understand and execute Raycom’s “Digital First” strategy.
The News/Content Director will lead and motivate our staff in creating outstanding news, weather and sports content for all screens.
Prior news management experience, exceptional character, strong news judgment, the ability to successfully execute the “Coverage You Can Count On” brand are required attributes for the position.
Columbus, GA is located on the beautiful Chattahoochee River with a new world-class white water rafting course, a zip line from Georgia to Alabama and a 20 mile Riverwalk between Columbus and Fort Benning.
To be considered for this excellent opportunity with Raycom Media, please apply here. keyword “News/Content Manager”.
No phone calls please. EOE/M/F/D/V
News Director, WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV:
WVNS-TV/CBS and FOX, a West Virginia Media station in Beckley, WV is searching for a hands-on News Director. You will oversee day-to-day management of news content and quality.
Us – Our numbers are growing, our product not small market, our staff a mixture of experience and potential. We compete to win and in the process learn, grow and have fun together as a team.
You – Need to be an aggressive, dynamic and a highly competitive news manager. You need significant knowledge of television journalism, web usage, marketing, ethics and law. You need to be detail oriented, be able to follow through and communicate very effectively.
What you know, you’ll teach. What you need to learn we’ll teach you.
If you know it all…yeah, that’s not going to work out.
The News Director is responsible for maintaining a budget and handling personnel issues. Candidates must show knowledge of current news events and have an understanding of local news delivery on multiple platforms. The position requires strong talent recruiting and development skills. The News Director at WVNS works with the station’s General Manager to establish and build upon a news philosophy that keeps the television news operation competitive and growing.
This position opens up in September. We will bring the right person on early to smoothly transition with the current News Director.
Phone calls accepted after resume is received. Email resume to: ASandubrae@WVNS-TV.com
Al Sandubrae
General Manager
WVNS-TV
304-929-6424
Assistant News Director, WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH:
WTVG Toledo has an immediate opportunity for the position of Assistant News Director.
The successful candidate will be a leader who is passionate about excellence and inspires collaboration and creativity. Strong decision-making skills required. The Assistant News Director will guide 13abc’s top-rated, experienced on air and digital team.
Our area includes great recreation on Lake Erie, a world class art museum and zoo, terrific parks, and active university communities. Plus this is home to the Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye!
Please send your application materials via email to hr@13abc.com
or via mail to:
Brian Trauring
News Director
WTVG-TV 13abc
4247 Dorr Street
Toledo OH 43607
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
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 (listed 7/5/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 6/14/15)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15)
WKBN-TV, Youngstown, OH (new listing this week)
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 7/11/15)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/21/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, listed 7/5/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 6/14/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 6/14/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 7/11/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 6/28/15)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 7/11/15)
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)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 6/14/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 7/5/15)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 6/14/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (relisted 7/11/15)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 6/28/15)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 5/24/15)
Obituary:
Longtime Orlando newsman HARTWELL CONKLIN died earlier this month of heart failure at the age of 87. This obituary from the Orlando Sentinel details his career, including a stint as News Director for Orlando’s Channel 6, then known as WDBO-TV. He also worked as a producer for CBS News on space related stories.
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 KEVIN WING:
Wing
Emmy Award-winning San Francisco producer/news manager KEVIN WING seeks new opportunities. 20-plus years’ storytelling experience in San Francisco as executive producer, producer, field producer, special projects producer, assignment manager, writer and news and feature reporter for morning and evening newscasts. A dedicated, savvy, think-outside-the-box journalist with experience at major network stations.
Since 2006, Kevin has been a freelance network news field producer for ABC News’ “Good Morning America”, “World News Tonight” and “20/20”, creating original content from California. A multi-platform digital/broadcast journalist with television, social media and web experience, Kevin pitches story ideas for all platforms. He writes, produces and researches stories. Breaking news experience. Newsroom and field experience. Strong understanding of live shots, strong storytelling skills.
Successful ability to closely collaborate with news directors/managers, assignment desk, producers, social media producers, reporters/correspondents, writers, photographers and editors on story development/production. Team player, self-starter. Multi-tasks, prioritizes assignments and responsibilities.
His Linkedin page is here. Contact Kevin at kevinwingcalifornia@gmail.com
Names in the News…and other things:
The latest Pew Research Center report shows that local TV news viewership is growing. Details here.
SAM EATON has joined KSHB-TV in Kansas City as an Executive Producer. He most recently was the ND at WRBL-TV in Columbus, GA. He’s also worked in Augusta, GA, Charlotte and Columbia, SC, and worked as a reporter in Lynchburg and Midland, TX.
CHRIS YU is the new EP at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA. He had been the website manager at WCTI-TV in New Bern, N.C. And MYLES SNYDER has been promoted to be the new Digital EP at WHTM.
Former WSB-TV (Atlanta) News Director MARIAN PITTMAN has been promoted within Cox Media Group. Her new title (as you’ll read here) is Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy.
Former Tampa, Albuquerque, Ft. Myers, and Tucson News Director FORREST CARR continues to hit serious roadblocks in his fight against cancer. Forrest left TV to become an author. You can read the latest in his blog.
The Evansville Courier-Press profiles former WEHT-TV News Director LLOYD WINNECKE who is running for his second term as Mayor of that Indiana city.
General Manager News:
Ogle
Old friend JIM OGLE has resigned as General Manager of Gray’s WIBW-TV in Topeka. He’s been there since 2006, and is a former ND in Greensboro, NC, Lexington, and Reno. Jim’s also worked in Miami and Columbia, MO. The local newspaper has more.
JOHN HURLEY will end his 40 year career at the end of the year when he steps down as GM of Cordillera’s KTVQ-TV in Billings, MT. He’s been the GM there since 2009.
LAURA WOLF has been named GM of Sinclair’s KVII-TV in Amarillo, TX. It’s a return to her home state for Laura, who’s been the GM at KHQA-TV in Quincy, IL.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, July 19, 2015.
KCBS-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
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WHBF-TV 231 18th St. Rock Island IL 61201 (see ad above!)
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
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Blvd. Macon GA 31201
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus GA 31901
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Road Columbus GA 31906 (see ad above!)
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KWES-TV P.O. Box 60150 Midland, TX 79711
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Road Ghent WV 25843 (see ad above!)
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59108
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