March 20, 2016
Greetings:
Our list of open news director jobs edges slightly higher to 21 after a week that saw TWO news directors leave their job. We do have ONE new news director in a move that saw a Louisiana Assistant ND get bumped up to the top spot.
There are TWO paid help wanted ads in this week’s edition, both for news managers in medium market stations.
In Names in the News, a former ND gets a bump up the Raycom Media ladder. Two Nebraska News Directors are honored, and we’ll explain why it’s possible that RTDNA has run out of things to write about.
There’s an obituary for a long ago West Virginia News Director. And a former ND turned GM is named Louisiana’s Broadcaster of the year.
All this and more below!
New News Director Opening:
LaPlante
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA…GARY LaPLANTE has left this CBS o-and-o after fewer than two years as news director. Here’s an analysis of the move from the Boston Herald. Gary had been the Assistant News Director for the FOX station in Boston, WFXT-TV, before moving to WBZ. He’d previously been the ND for an Albany, NY, station, the Assistant ND for another, and he’s also worked in Hartford and another Boston station.
Ford
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY…we told you earlier this week that CHRIS FORD is leaving this Hubbard owned NBC affiliate. He joined the station in January, 2014 as News Director. Here’s the note he sent to his staff. And his complete background is here.
Newly Named News Directors:
Franklin
WDSU-TV-New Orleans, LA…AKILI FRANKLIN will start on Monday as the News Director for this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. She’s been at the station for just three months, but has worked at several Hearst stations. Her Linkedin bio has her full background. She’ll replace JONATHAN SHELLEY who told his staff….after nine years here…he and his wife had decided it was time for a ‘new chapter in their lives’. And here’s the memo GM JOEL VILMENAY sent to employees about Jonathan’s departure.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Executive Producer, WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC:
News Channel 12 (ABC and FOX) in eastern North Carolina is looking for an Executive Producer to help manage our dynamic newsroom. This is a great opportunity to earn your management stripes. You will work closely with the News Director and Assistant News Director in running all aspects of the News Department.
Duties include: day-to-day supervision of our news staff, training and coaching our producers and managing our newscast content. The Executive Producer will work closely with reporters in shaping well told stories. Our Executive Producer is instrumental in helping to build and execute our annual strategic plan across our broadcast, online and mobile platforms. Our key images are “Alerting You to Severe Weather Danger” and “Getting the Facts Right.” During breaking news and severe weather the Executive Producer takes over producing responsibilities in the control room. The winning candidate will be an energetic leader with strong motivation and editorial skills and a sense of urgency.
Experience: Preference will be given to candidates who have at least three years of producing experience.
Requirements: Qualified candidates must be savvy with web posting and social media.
Contact Details: Send resume to:
Scott Nichols
News Director
WCTI-TV
225 Glenburnie Drive
New Bern, NC 28560
or e-mail to: snichols@wcti12.com
Additional Information: Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting, a part of Bonten Media Group, is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.
Assistant News Director, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:
Job Description:
WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida is looking for an aggressive team leader with a proven track record for achieving outstanding results. Must be able to lead a strong newsroom in a fast-paced competitive environment. Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required. The ideal candidate will be able to direct, motivate and develop a successful team. You will help supervise anchors, reporters and producers. You will also work closely with Creative Services to make sure there is promotable content in the newscasts. We are looking for someone who can execute strategic plans while leading the presentation of content on air, online and in the world of evolving media. Note: All essential functions of this position are not necessarily described in this posting.
Qualifications:
This is an ideal position for an Executive Producer who is looking to make that next move. We are looking for someone with a producing background who also has at least five years of experience in a supervisory role. Must be able to perform well under pressure, meet deadlines and communicate thoroughly with all levels of management and staff. We want someone with a passion for breaking news, weather, innovative storytelling and digital coverage. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which could include days, nights, weekends and holidays as needed. Degree in communications or related field desired.
Location:
WJXT-TV
4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207
No phone calls. Email resumes and links to: kbonfield@wjxt.com
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 3/6/16)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 3/6/16)
KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 1/17/16)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted this week)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 2/7/16)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (new listing this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 3/13/16, see ad above!)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 2/7/16)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 2/21/16)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 3/6/16)
WCSC-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 2/14/16)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 2/28/16)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 3/13/16)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (Digital EP, listed revised 1/10/16)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted this week)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, relisted 1/24/16)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (PM EP, listed 2/21/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (PM EP, relisted 3/13/16)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, Dayside EP, listed 2/28/16)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Morning EP, relisted 1/24/16)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/28/16)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (Morning EP, listed 2/7/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 2/21/16)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Dayside EP, listed 1/24/16)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted this week)
WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/4/11)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (AM EP, listed 1/24/16)
WLTZ-TV, Columbus, GA (listed 2/21/16)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 3/4/11)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 2/21/16)
Obituary:
Long ago West Virginia News Director JOHN HURD died earlier this month at the age of 88. After leaving TV, he worked as the executive director of the West Virginia Republican Party and spent 26 years as the President of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Names in the News:
SUSANA SCHULER has been promoted to Executive Vice President Content and Operations for Raycom Media. The move was announced at the same time the company announced the retirement of CEO PAUL McTEAR and the elevation of PAT LaPLATNEY to replace him. Many of you know Susana, who joined Raycom in 2006 as VP/News and previously spent ten years in a similar role for Nexstar.
Congratulations to news directors ROSE ANN SHANNON and JERRY DISHONG who were among those inducted to the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
The Lincoln Journal Star profiles longtime newsman JACK FROST who is now hosting a weekly segment on KOLN-TV called “Seniors Everyday”. Jack is now 79 and spent much of his career in Nebraska, except for 25 years in Louisiana!
Thanks to those of you who sent me a nice note after a profile on the RTDNA website this week. If you missed it, you can find it here.
General Manager News:
Soon to retire KSLA-TV (Shreveport, LA) General Manager JAMES SMITH has been named 2015 Louisiana Broadcaster of the Year. He’s been GM there since 2006 and also served for many years as anchor and news director for KPLC-TV in Lake Charles.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, March 20, 2016.
If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com
WFLD-TV 205 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston MA 02134
WWSB-TV 1477 10th St, Sarasota, FL 34236 (Tampa market)
KPNX-TV 200 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WJZY/WMYT-TV 3501 Performance Road Charlotte, NC 28214
XETV 8253 Ronson Rd. San Diego 92111
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West Salt Lake City, UT 84110
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202
WKRN-TV 441 Murfreesboro Rd. Nashville TN 37210
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfield Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33407
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. W. Palm Beach, FL 33401
KTUL-TV 3333 S 29th W Ave, Tulsa, OK 74107
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue Rochester, New York 14604
WAFF-TV 1414 N Memorial Parkway Huntsville, Al 35801
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KSBY-TV 1772 Calle Joaquin San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
KBAK-TV1901 Westward Drive Bakersfield, CA 93301
KMID/KPEJ-TV 3200 LaForce Boulevard Midland, TX 79711
KAUZ/KSWO-TV 3601 Seymour Highway Wichita Falls, TX 76309
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108
* Spanish language station