July 28, 2012
July 30, 2012 UPDATE:
There were TWO new news directors named today in major markets, one that’s been widely reported and one that hasn’t.
Edwards
CAMILLE EDWARDS, currently ND for WRC-TV, the NBC o-and-o in Washington, is moving to WABC-TV in New York as VP/News. It’s a return to an ABC o-and-o for Camille, who’s previously worked at WLS-TV in Chicago (Executive Producer) and WPVI-TV in Philadelphia (Assistant ND.)
She’s been ND for WRC since 2008 and before that was ND for NBC’s WMAQ-TV in Chicago. She’s also worked for WBBM-TV in Chicago, as well as in Baltimore and Toledo. At WABC, she replaces KENNY PLOTNIK who left the station in June after 10 years as ND and 25 with ABC.
Waldon
Today’s second change finds LORI WALDON returning to California as News Director for Hearst’s KCRA-TV in Sacramento. Lori’s been ND for sister-station WISN-TV in Milwaukee since 2006. Before that, she served briefly as the Assistant ND for KOVR-TV in Sacramento. Lori worked at KPIX-TV in San Francisco in a variety of roles for 13 years, and has also worked in Charlotte, Mobile, and Peoria. She replaces ANZIO WILLIAMS who left in June after five years as ND for KCRA. He’s now ND for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.
I’ll be at Unity this week, and hope to see many of you there. That may delay production of our regular weekly newsletter.
Greetings:
We’re a little delayed this week by a busy weekend of racing here in Indianapolis, including Sunday’s Brickyard 400 NASCAR race. And we may be off schedule next week due to my attendance at the Unity Conference in Las Vegas. I hope to see many of you there.
We have just ONE new ND opening this week, but it’s at a network o-and-o in a top five market. And there are THREE new NDs to reveal to you.
By my count, that leaves 33 ND openings.
We have TWO new ads this week: one is a blind box ad for a news director’s job, whilethe other is for an EP opening in sunny Florida. And we’re re-running FIVE ads from last week, including another blind box ad, and ads for THREE open ND jobs and an EP position.
Unfortunate news from Columbus, OH, this week, where the Ohio News Network announced it will close at the end of August. Owner Dispatch Printing Company (which owns WBNS-TV in Columbus) blamed changing consumer habits for the decision. The statewide cable news operation began in 1996 and served 1.7 million cable home. About three dozen people are losing their jobs.
Also, to clarify one item from last week: I reported that SUZANNE BLACK had ‘apparently’ left KEYE-TV in Austin, TX. Suzanne advises that she resigned from her job there, and that her last day was Thursday, July 26. Also, that CBS affiliate is now owned by Sinclair.
All that, and more, below…after this week’s changes:
New News Director Openings:
Schwaid
WTXF-TV, Philadelphia, PA…as you know from our UPDATES earlier this week, STEVE SCHWAID is leaving this FOX o-and-o to become VP of Digital Strategy for consulting firm CJ&N. Steve was ND here for about a year. Before that he’d been VP of Digital Strategy for Meredith Broadcast, and ND for the company’s Atlanta station (WGCL-TV, a CBS affiliate). Much of his career was with NBC in a variety of roles. His replacement at WTXF will be the fifth ND in five years.
Newly Named News Directors:
Lupenski
KATU-TV, Portland, OR…TIFFANI LUPENSKI has been promoted to news director for this Fisher Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate, replacing DON PRATT. (More on Don in a moment.) Tiffani’s been the Assistant ND here for about the last year and a half. Before that she was an EP in Seattle and Denver, and also worked for CNN. Tiffani spent the early part of her career as a reporter and anchor in Birmingham and Lake Charles, LA.
Pratt
As I mentioned, she succeeds DON PRATT who’s being promoted to General Manager of another Fisher station, KBOI-TV in Boise, ID. Don’s been the ND in Portland for the last six years. He came to Portland from Boston, where he’d been the Assistant ND for WHDH-TV. Don’s a former News Director for WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC, and spent some time as an EP for KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Jackson
KGAN/KFXA-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA…ROD JACKSON has been promoted to ND here. He’s been the interim ND since April and joined the station as Managing Editor in January, 2011. Rod spent 13 years as a producer for ABC’s NewsOne and was the Managing Editor for KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. He began his career as a reporter. At KGAN, he replaces SCOTT PICKEN who left this Sinclair owned CBS/FOX duopoly in April.
Grogan
NBC Montana, Missoula, MT…CHRIS GROGAN returns to Montana as ND for this Bonten Media owned operation. Chris will oversee NBC affiliates in Missoula/Kalispell (KECI-TV, where he’ll be based) and Butte/Bozeman (KTVM-TV). He had been ND for KFBB-TV in Great Falls, MT from 2008-2010. Most recently he’d been ND for KJCT-TV in Grand Junction, CO. He replaces SEAN DUNSTER who left the station last month to return to Ohio as News Technology Manager for WHIO-TV in Dayton. Sean was ND there for almost a year.
Help Wanted Ads:
Blind Box News Director Ad, Eastern Small Market:
Growing company seeks dynamic news director to oversee Eastern U.S. small market operation. If you are an assistant news director or executive producer ready to step up and lead, this is your opportunity.
Please provide specific examples of creative approaches to executing a strategy for success.
The successful candidate must be a dynamic manager who understands and stresses content relevance to viewers. This position requires exceptional skill in managing and helping staff members grow professionally.
Please send printed and video materials to: tvnews1000@gmail.com
Executive Producer, WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL:
WKMG in Orlando is searching for its next great leader!
We are currently seeking an innovative Executive Producer to oversee the planning and execution of Local 6 Newscasts. Applicants must be able to drive content on television, on the web, and on social media outlets. 6 Years of news producing experience is required.
Prior management experience is preferable.
Please send resumes to News Director Steve Hyvonen at shyvonen@wkmg.com
**** ***** ****
Blind Box News Director Ad, Top Ten Market:
Top 10 DMA news station seeks an experienced News Director from top 20 DMA.
The News Director (ND) will oversee the planning and direction of all newscasts and supervise executive producers, producers, reporters and photographers. ND will be instrumental in building and executing the station’s strategic plan. Only candidates with top 20 DMA experience as an assistant news director or news director will be considered.
Forward resume and salary requirements to: resume.tvnews@gmail.com
News Director, KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS:
Sunflower Broadcasting, Inc., is looking for a News Director to lead our news team.
Sunflower consists of 16 channels of distribution including: KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV, bureau stations KBSD-TV, KBSH-TV, KBSL-TV, a JSA with Spanish Station KDCU, a 24-hour digital and mobile weather channel and two dynamic websites (one of which focuses on high school sports) and apps for news, sports and weather. The CBS affiliate KWCH leads the market in ratings and produces more than 45 hours of local news each week.
The candidate we are looking for understands responsible journalism and can lead a team to produce exciting newscasts that both inform and educate viewers. A passion to win weather and sports is a must. Knowledge of digital media and implementation of social media strategies should be demonstrated in current position.
We are HD, all field crews have laptops and smart phones. We have the tools and a state-of-the art newsroom to get the job done.
The perfect candidate brings News Director experience and an understanding of how to motivate and lead a team. Do your homework before you apply and you’ll know why this is a great opportunity. Sunflower is owned by Schurz Communications and managed by Joan Barrett.
If you are ready to lead a winning team send your resume and references to:
Human Resources Manager
KWCH-TV
2815 E. 37th St. North
Wichita, KS 67219
FAX # (316) 831-6190;
e-mail: hr@kwch.com
KWCH-TV is an EOE. M/F/V/D. Drug screen and background check required. No phone calls please.
News Director, WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI:
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. is searching for a forward thinking and aggressive journalist for the position of News Director at WFRV-TV, CBS affiliate, in Green Bay, WI.
The successful candidate will be a hands on news manager who has a proven track record for coaching and developing talent, solid journalism skills, an own the big news story and weather philosophy, and a passion for breaking news. Our coverage of the Green Bay Packers is a priority so a vision for unique coverage, storytelling and programming is a must.
To be considered you must have a minimum of 5 years of experience as a news manager and more than 10 years of experience in a news operation. Prior experience with on-line and social media is required. A degree in journalism is preferred.
Please send cover letter, resume, news philosophy and link or DVD to:
Jerry Walsh
Director of Local Content Development
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
1181 East Mason Street
Green Bay WI 54301
or via e-mail to: jwalsh@nexstar.tv
News Director, KJCT-TV, Grand Junction/Montrose, CO:
KJCT News 8, the ABC Affiliate for Grand Junction has an immediate opening for a hands-on News Director.
Our next News Director will have a record of proven leadership, the ability to manage and coach a young talented staff.
Our next News Director will have strong story instincts and production skills, on-air and online, including the successful integration of internet and social media into our day-to-day ‘multiple screen’ strategy.
The successful candidate will need to be able to “pitch in”, teach, build a team andhave the ability to maximize the use of personnel.
Our next News Director willknow how to maximize our strengths and exploit competitive opportunities. Working closely with senior KJCT station management, the next News Director will achieve long-term budgetary and strategic goals.
Please send cover letter and resume to:
KJCT News 8
Attention: Kristy Santiago
8 Foresight Circle
Grand Junction, CO 81505
Or email resume to: kristy.santiago@kjct8.com
Executive Producer, KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM:
KRQE News 13, a CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, NM is looking for a dynamic and energetic journalist to be our next Executive News Producer. Our #1 newsroom in the market needs someone who can demonstrate the ability to mentor, train & supervise a team of professional newscast producers.
You must be an exceptional news writer for on-air & web, great communicator, excellent news judgment, react quickly to breaking news and be familiar with Avid and ENPS Systems to do your job successfully.
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two years experience as a news manager or prior experience as a 10pm producer in a top 30 market.
If you’re a natural born leader who can turn enterprise stories that no one else thinks about, this job is for you.
To apply, rush your resume & cover letter to erika.gonzales@krqe.com
KRQE-TV, owned & operated by LIN Television Corp., is an equal opportunity employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/10/12)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/12)
WCTI-TV, Greenville/New Bern, NC (relisted 6/1/12)
KVLY/KXJB-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted 7/7/12)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, relisted 7/7/12)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Nightisde EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KMSP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (AM EP, new listing this week)
WKMG-TV, Orlando, FL (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KPTV/KPDX-TV, Portland, OR (Nightside EP, new listing this week)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (PM EP, listed 6/24/12)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 6/29/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Morning EP, listed 6/10/12)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Special Projects EP, listed 7/13/12, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 7/7/12)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 7/13/12)
KENS-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 7/13/12)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 7/20/12, see ad above!)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Evening EP, listed 6/29/12)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 6/24/12)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/24/12)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (relisted 7/7/12)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (listed 7/13/12)
WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY (Dayside EP, listing revised this week)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 6/1/12)
KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau, MO (listed 6/29/12)
WCYB-TV, Bristol, TN (relisted 6/24/12)
Obituary:
EDDIE BARKER, who may have been the first to report the death of President John Kennedy and then booted CBS’s DAN RATHER from his newsroom in a dispute over a sidebar story to the President’s assassination, died last Monday. He was 84. Eddie was the ND at KDFW-TV in Dallas and later served for many years as the exhibits chairman for the RTNDA convention. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Situations Wanted:
We had no takers this week on our free offer for a Situations Wanted posting. If you’d like to state your case to a pretty well targeted audience, email me an item (max 100 words). You may include one link to a website, an email address, and an optional photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week.
Names in the News:
After 30 years at the cable news operation, JIM WALTON is stepping down as President of CNN Worldwide at the end of the year. Walton told his staff CNN needed ‘new thinking’.
Former WPIX-TV News Director KAREN SCOTT‘s age discrimination suit against the company went to trial this week. She’s seeking $4.5 million dollars claiming she was fired when she turned 60.
HAYLEY HERST is joining KTTV-TV in Los Angeles as Morning EP. She currently holds the same job at sister Fox o-and-o KMSP/WFTC in Minneapolis. KTTV will be Hayley’s third FOX owned station: she previously worked for KDVR-TV in Denver. She’s a former ND in Reno and also worked in Las Vegas, her hometown.
Speaking of KDVR-TV, MAUREEN CAPASSO will join the station as its new night EP next month. She’s currently an EP for WHDH-TV in Boston, where she worked with current KDVR ND ED KOSOWSKI and Assistant ND DANA DIETERLE. She’s also worked in Miami.
ANDREW GILLFILLAN returns to Grand Rapids, MI, as Assistant ND for WXMI-TV, the Tribune-owned FOX affiliate. He’s been the Morning EP for WDIV-TV in Detroit for the past nine months. Earlier in his career he spent six years in a variety of roles for WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids. He’s also worked in Indianapolis and Lansing, MI.
WTVF-TV in Nashville has promoted 10:00 PM producer TOMMY CROUSE to Morning EP. He’s been at this CBS affiliate for three years. Tommy’s also worked in Jacksonville, FL, and Columbia, SC.
Longtime Springfield, MO, newsman BRAD BELOTE is leaving Springfield…and TV…for a job in corporate communications at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN. Brad spent the last 2 1/2 years running the digital side of things for KYTV and KSPR-TV in Springfield. He earlier was ND for KSPR for three years. He spent 14 years in Springfield TV and also worked in Columbia, MO.
Our Full List of News Director Openings:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, July 28, 2012.
WABC-TV 7 Lincoln Square New York, NY 10023
WTXF-TV 330 Market St. Philadelphia PA 19106
KDAF-TV 8001 Carpenter Freeway Dallas TX 75247
WFTS-TV 4045 N. Himes Ave. Tampa FL 33607
KNXV-TV 515 N. 44th St. Phoenix AZ 85008
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave. Cleveland OH 44114
WFTV 490 E. South St. Orlando FL 32801
KCRA-TV 3 Television Circle Sacramento CA 95814
XETV 8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego CA 92111
WDJT-TV 809 S. 60th St. Milwaukee WI 53214
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd., #7007 Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas NV 89101
WPMT-TV 2005 S. Queen Street York PA 17403
KEYE-TV 10700 Metric Blvd. Austin TX 78758
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Ave. Tulsa OK 74105
KOTV 302 S. Frankfort St. Tulsa OK 74120
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KWCH-TV 2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219 (see ad above!)
WFRV-TV 1181 E. Mason St. Green Bay WI 54301 (see ad above!)
KRBK-TV (apply to corporate) Springfield, MO
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28561
WEHT/WTVW 800 Marywood Dr. Henderson KY 42420
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2809 Ajax Ave. #200 Rogers AR 72758
KHGI-TV 13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KBOI-TV 140 N. 16th St. Boise ID 83702
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Rd. Ghent WV 25843
WJHG-TV 8195 Front Beach Rd. Panama City Beach FL 32407
KKCO-TV 2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KJCT-TV 8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction CO 81505 (see ad above!)
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001