June 21, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015 UPDATE:
Diener
A surprise today from Los Angeles, where veteran news director SCOTT DIENER is leaving KCBS-TV after 5+ years as the ND there.
In this note to his staff, he referred to his decision to step aside and pursue ‘new and exciting opportunities.
Scott first joined CBS as the Assistant ND for KTVT-TV in Dallas. He later rose to ND there. He’s also been a news director in San Francisco, Phoenix, Cincinnati, and Louisville. Scott’s also worked in Minneapolis and Columbia, MO.
Here’s a look at his bio from the KCBS website.
His departure leaves two openings among the 13 by my count) CBS stations that produce news: SUSAN SCHILLER stepped down from her job at Philadelphia’s KYW-TV last month after 14 years as ND there.
One other note: RTDNA announced the National Edward R. Murrow Awards today. The complete list of winners is available in this story from the RTDNA website.
More on this in our full report later this week.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
We come to you tonight from Las Vegas, where the ProMax conference gets underway this week. Media General is bringing all its NDs for meetings during ProMax, and there might be others, too. I’ll be around the Mirage a few times early in the week and look forward to seeing some of you.
Our count of open News Director jobs jumps to a higher-than-it’s-been-in a while (35) after this week’s activity. FIVE newly opened positions, with just ONE job filled, to my knowledge.
We have a paid help wanted ad for one of those new openings, along with TWO ads for management jobs in some large markets.
We’ve updated our list of Open News Management jobs, as well.
Names in the News features some names that many of you will recognize: STEVE DOERR, HARRY FULLER, CHRIS JADICK, and JOHHNY GREEN, among others.
A former ND turned GM jumps 20+ markets for a new challenge, while another veteran GM retires.
And we have one obituary of an interesting broadcaster, who played for both the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys before becoming a major market ND and GM…in addition to a co-founder of Univision.
It’s a lengthy newsletter this week. I hope you enjoy it.
New News Director Openings:
Tully
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…we first told you on Friday of SUSAN TULLY‘s promotion within NBC to become GM for WVIT-TV in Hartford. Susan’s a longtime NBC employee, having spent time at o-and-o’s in San Diego and Philadelphia prior to her 14+ years as ND in Dallas. More on her move in this article from Uncle Barky, longtime DFW media observer, and in this story from the TV writer for the Star-Telegram.
Varner
WKRC-TV, Cincinnati, OH…in another move we told you about on Friday, KIRK VARNER is leaving this Sinclair Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate in early July. He’s been at the helm here for 4+ years, and told his staff in this memo that it was time for a new coach to lead the team. The sports analogy comes easily for Kirk, who’s run newsrooms at both ESPN and SportsChannel America. He’s been a local ND in New Haven and Buffalo, helped develop the Time Warner Cable news channels, and has also worked in New York and Boston. He tells me he’s searching for the next opportunity.
Polster
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY….LISA POLSTER moves across the street to join Media General’s WIVB-TV as the morning executive producer. She’s been ND for this Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate for 18 months…and explains her move in the second item in this story. She’s worked at WKBW twice for total of eleven years, earlier worked at WGRZ-TV, so she now completes the hat trick of Buffalo stations. She’s also been an EP in Paducah and Baltimore.
Sanders
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL…veteran news director STAN SANDERS is leaving this CBS affiliate after three years as ND. Stan emailed me that he accomplished the goals he set when he arrived, and feels it’s better to leave when it’s ‘time’. He’s a former news director in Columbus, OH (almost ten years at WCMH-TV), and Jackson, MS, and ran the Student Media Center at Southern Mississippi. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
Allen
KYTX-TV, Tyler, TX…this Gannett owned CBS affiliate has a new opening for news director. My records show that LORRI ALLEN had been the ND here since September, 2013. Her background is a little different than many news directors. See her Linkedin page for more details.
Newly Named News Directors:
Tompkins
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA…congratulations to ROB TOMPKINS who’ll be the next ND for this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate. He’s currently the Assistant ND for the company’s Salt Lake City station, KTVX-TV. He’s held that job for just over four years, returning to the business after a four year hiatus. He’s also worked in Las Vegas, Lexington, KY (two stations), Greensboro/High Point, NC, and Jackson, MS. His Linkedin page has the entire story.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WCTV, Tallahassee, FL:
WCTV, the market’s dominant news station in Tallahassee, Florida is looking for a News Director to lead our award winning news team.
All candidates should have a degree in broadcast journalism or a related field and at least seven years of experience in a commercial television newsroom. News management experience is preferred to lead a staff of almost forty news professionals. Extensive knowledge of multi-platform content generation and delivery is crucial.
This highly organized individual creates and implements long range plans and sweeps strategies. The ideal candidate knows the importance of continual teaching and training and is passionate about local news.
Tallahassee is the state capital of Florida and home to Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
If you qualify, please email your resume to HR@wctv.tv or mail to:
WCTV Human Resources
1801 Halstead Boulevard
Tallahassee FL 32309
Must have clean driving record and drug screening required for employment.
Gray Television participates in E-Verify and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Executive Producer, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:
KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver is looking for our next rocks star Executive Producer to oversee the 3½ hours of news we produce on-air weekday evenings (5pm/9pm/10pm on KDVR and 7pm on KWGN).
We are looking for a strong leader who is aggressively competitive and creative, and who can help us continue to shake up the Denver market.
Our Executive Producers are responsible for managing all aspects of newscast content and play a vital role in our strategic plan to grow ratings and improve our on-air product in addition to digital platforms. Must have solid news judgment, be able to meet daily deadlines, work well under pressure, generate story and coverage ideas on a daily and long-term basis, manage a team of producers, and work with a large, diverse staff in a professional manner to ensure our content meets standards for editorial and technical integrity.
Excellent communication skills are required, as is prior management and major market producing experience.
Please apply by clicking here.
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.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 6/14/15)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/7/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (new listing this week)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 6/14/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted this week)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)
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, revised 5/3/15)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (new listing, see ad above!)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 6/14/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 6/14/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
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 (listed 6/14/15)
ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 6/14/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)
NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 5/24/15)
Obituary:
Villaneuva
DANNY VILLANEUVA, a one-time place kicker in the NFL who when on to be an ND and GM in Los Angeles, died this week at the age of 77 from complications of a stroke. He played for the Rams and Cowboys, and held a Dallas kicking record for 41 years before it was broken. He helped found Univision and gave millions to charities. Two good articles you should read: this one from the Los Angeles Times, and this tribute from his alma mater, New Mexico State.
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:
JOHNNY GREEN joins WBZ-TV in Boston as the next Assistant News Director for that CBS o-and-o. He’s currently an Executive Producer for NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, and earlier had been the Nightside and Special Projects EP for WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh. Johnny’s also worked in Florence, New Bern, Raleigh and Charlotte (two stations).
REBECCA JOHNSON, the assistant ND for Media General’s WPRI-TV in Providence, is headed south for the same job at WNCN-TV in Raleigh. She’ll be replaced in Providence by MAUREEN CAPASSO, who makes the trek east from her job as EP for KDVR-TV in Denver. She’s also worked in Boston and Miami.
KEVIN JACOBSON has been named Assistant ND for KBJR-TV in Duluth. He’ll continue to anchor the 6:00 PM news.
Doerr
STEVE DOERR has joined Crawford Johnson & Northcott (aka CJ&N) as VP of Client Development and Senior Consultant. He’s been a GM in markets as large as Dallas, and an ND in Philadelphia and Cleveland, and worked as a consultant for AR&D. His lengthy bio is well detailed on his Linkedin page. The company’s news release is a click away, here.
One-time Tampa and Louisville News Director CHRIS JADICK leaves the private sector after six years to become Director of Bright House Sports Network, which covers Central Florida and Tampa Bay. Chris has also worked in Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and for another Tampa station.
Retired San Francisco News Director (both KGO-TV and KPIX-TV) HARRY FULLER has published a book about his passion…birding, and specifically the great gray owl. More in this profile from a new publication to these pages, the Ashland Daily Tidings!
General Manager News:
Hoffman
JEFF HOFFMAN has been named GM for Graham Media’s WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando. He’s been running WTKR-TV in Norfolk for the past seven years. He’s also been a GM in Huntsville, and has worked in a wide range of markets as a news director, station manager, EP, etc. The full story is available in this news release from the company.
Longtime General Manager BROOKE SPECTORSKY has retired after 17 years as GM of Cleveland’s WKYC-TV, the station at which he began his career more than 45 years ago. But there were a few other stops along the way, including four years as GM of WUAB-TV in Cleveland, and at stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando. He’s being succeeded by his wife, MICKI BYRNES. The Cleveland Plain Dealer looks at his career and the party at the station honoring him.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 21, 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
KXAS-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Fort Worth TX 76155
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
WKRC-TV 1906 Highland Ave. Cincinnati OH 45219
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
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
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
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee FL 32309 (see ad above!)
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
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