June 14, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015 UPDATE #2:
A rare second UPDATE in one day brings news of a promotion for a longtime news director to general manager.
Tully
SUSAN TULLY, who’s been VP/News for KXAS-TV in Dallas for more than 14 years, moves within NBC to become GM of the company’s WVIT-TV in Hartford, CT. She replaces RIC HARRIS who moved to the same role at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.
Susan’s a longtime NBC employee: she’s also worked at NBC o-and-o’s in Philadelphia and San Diego.
Here’s the official news release from NBC, and click here to read the note from VALERI STAAB, who’s President of the NBC o-and-o division.
Congratulations to Susan….and more on this move and all the week’s action in our full newsletter.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Friday, June 19, 2015 UPDATE:
Varner
July 3rd will be the last day on the job for longtime News Director KIRK VARNER. He told his staff at Cincinnati’s WKRC-TV (CBS/Sinclair Broadcasting) today that, after 4+ years, it’s time for a ‘new coach’ to lead the team to the next level.
It’s a fitting analogy for Kirk, who’s been a news director for both ESPN and SportsChannel America, as well as for local stations in New Haven and Buffalo. He also worked for Time Warner Cable as VP/Local News Services, developing local news channels in several markets. And he’s worked as an EP or producer in New York and Boston.
His memo to the staff is here.
His entire career background can be found on his Linkedin page.
Kirk tells me he has no immediate plans and is beginning his search.
More on this…and a number of other changes…in our full report later this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
***** **** *****
Greetings:
THREE new News Director openings, and just ONE ND position filled so our list of open ND jobs jumps to 31.
We have TWO paid help wanted ads, as well as ads for a reporting contest which offers cash and a trip to the EIJ Conference, and an ad for the Kneeland Project training. There’s a number of new opportunities in our Other News Management Openings section, we have a job-seeker offering his services in the rarely used Situations Wanted portion of the newsletter, and a number of Names in the News.
All that and more in a slightly-delayed-by-awful-WiFi-on-a-Southwest-flight edition!
New News Director Openings:
Gardner
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL…veteran ND TIM GARDNER has resigned from the NBC affiliate after 8+ years as ND. This article says he’s headed to Dallas to be with his wife and family. Tim once worked for Dallas-based AR&D. He’s also been an ND in San Antonio and Austin (two stations), had worked for WVTM earlier in his career as well as several small markets in Alabama. WVTM was recently acquired by Hearst.
Tefertiller
KWES-TV, Midland, TX…TOM TEFERTILLER is apparently out as News Director after a grand total of four…months. We told you in February that Tom was assuming additional duties as ND for this Drewry Communications/NBC affiliate. At that time, he was the Chief Meteorologist and a 20 year veteran of the station. Now the station has an ad on its website for an ND, and another for a meteorologist.
Weishaar
KTVH-TV, Helena, MT…this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate has a posting on its website for a new News Director. I do not know where the incumbent, DIRK WEISHAAR, is going, although (at least of this writing), his bio is still on the station’s website. In case that bio is gone when you look for it, he returned to KTVH as ND in October, 2013, after a 10 year run in Eugene, OR as a sports anchor/reporter. He began his career in his hometown of Pocatello, worked as the weekend sports anchor for KTVH, and later worked in Reno.
Newly Named News Directors:
WLTV, Miami, FL…ROBERT VIZCON has been bumped up from interim News Director to ND for this Univision station. He’s previously been an ND for Univision in Puerto Rico, and has been a GM for Spanish language stations in Miami and Orlando. He replaces DANIEL MORCATE who left the station in February.
The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now.
Only a few days left to apply!
Applications are due this Friday, June 19, for The Kneeland Project’s next session, which will be held September 9-12 in Austin, Texas.
Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected participants. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals.
In a recent survey of Kneeland Fellows, 100% reported they still regularly use lessons learned at Kneeland, believe that time spent at Kneeland improved their career, and said they have recommended Kneeland to a friend or colleague.
You’ll join this session’s faculty and 17 other outstanding news director colleagues to explore the exciting challenges that face our industry, and you’ll leave the program with a solid plan to guide your leadership decisions starting the day you return to your newsroom.
This isn’t theoretical information that you will put on a shelf and neglect. Every participant will walk away with concrete action items to implement immediately that will make a difference in their station…and their life.
It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. Journalists return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.
Click here for more information and to apply. Remember – apply before Friday, June 19th. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program.
Apply now!
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Several Management Opportunities, RNN, Rye Brook, NY:
Regional News Network (RNN) is a privately owned enterprise based in Rye Brook, NY. Reaching more than six million homes throughout New York, New Jersey and Long Island, RNN is distributed on Verizon FiOS 1 News.
Due to a recent expansion, RNN is recruiting for a variety of weekend positions. Candidates must be able to work all shifts. Current open positions include Executive Producers, Producers, Assignment Editor, Technical Director, Editor and many other positions.
Please visit our website and apply online at https://rnn-tvcareers.silkroad.com/.
Please mention Rick Gevers as your source.
Assistant News Director, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA:
WCYB-TV, Bristol VA-TN, serving the Tri-Cities DMA, seeks a dynamic Assistant News Director to join our #1 news operation.
Qualified candidates will have at least 3 years of television producing, assignment desk and/or assistant news director experience. The successful candidate must be an excellent writer and producer, have exemplary management and supervisory skills and exhibit a passion to cover local television news with a record of doing so with credibility and integrity.
The Assistant News Director will be someone who can craft shows, mentor young producers and be the standard-bearer of our “Getting the Facts Right”. As a steward of the brand, you will copy-edit and proofread reporter scripts in a manner consistent with that goal. You will also take charge in the producing of breaking news, severe weather coverage and select special programs. At every turn you must be competitive, energetic and a true team player. A degree in Broadcast Journalism or equivalent is preferred.
Send a cover letter, resume and a link to examples of your work which demonstrates in detail the qualifications listed above to hr@wcyb.com Subject: Assistant News Director.
No phone calls please.
WCYB-TV, 101 Lee Street, Bristol VA 24201 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (new listing this week)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/7/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted this week)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15, see ad above!)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 4/19/15)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
Regional News Network, Rye Brook, NY (new listing this week, see ad above!)
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, revised 5/3/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted this week)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (Dayside EP, listing revised 6/7/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 4/12/15)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (PM EP, listed 4/26/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 5/24/15)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (new listing this week)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted this week)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 5/24/15)
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 JAMES DOUGHTY:
It is in my humble opinion that being a television news director is one of the most challenging jobs in the world today; however, it can also be one of the most rewarding positions. I believe whole-heartedly that a fair, calm and understanding news director is essential to provide your station stability, consistency, and care.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Texas Tech University. Since 1998, I’ve served as reporter, anchor, producer and news director in various newsrooms across Texas.
I believe I would be a great candidate as news director in your organization.
(You can reach James at 210-663-8622, via email at jadoughty2013@gmail.com, or check him out on Linkedin by clicking here.
Names in the News…and other things:
RICHARD MAGINN, a longtime EP for Chicago’s WLS-TV, is headed across the street to WMAQ-TV, the NBC o-and-o there, as Managing Editor. It’s a new position for that NBC station, and comes at a time when the 10:00 news race is very competitive. More in this story from The Chicago Business Journal.
MARC STERNFIELD will be the next Assistant ND for KHOU-TV in Houston. He’ll join that Gannett-owned CBS affiliate in August. He’s been the Assistant ND for KSTU-TV (FOX) in Salt Lake City for the past three years, and has also worked in Denver (three stations, one twice) and in Lexington and Boston.
Norfolk native DAVID CRAFT has been named the new Morning EP for Media General’s WAVY-TV in Norfolk. He’s currently a producer for this NBC affiliate, and formerly worked at WTKR-TV in Norfolk as Assignment Manager.
General Manager News:
Just one move that I’m aware of this week….WNCT-TV (Greenville, NC) has promoted JOHN O. LEWIS to GM. He’s been the General Sales Manager for this CBS affiliate.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 14, 2015.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
WNJU-TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 *
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
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
WVTM 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham AL 35202
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WFXR-TV 2618 Colonial Ave. S.W. Roanoke VA 24015
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
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
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
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus GA 31901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
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
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