March 31, 2019
Greetings:
A very busy week with lots to tell you about.
There are THREE new news director openings, all at pretty well regarded stations. (One of those openings…in the second market) was created by a promotion to GM. And there are TWO new news directors, both getting their first ND jobs. (And check out the remarkable sidebar to one of those people.)
That leaves our list of openings at 29. ONE of those 29 open ND jobs is among our THREE paid help wanted ads this week.
There are TWO obituaries, one for a veteran CBS News executive who covered foreign news, and the other for a former Los Angeles GM turned station group co-founder turned art collector.
And lots to share in Names in the News, including details about a retired ND and former RTNDA chair who’s on the mend after a spill.
Speaking of RTDNA (notice I used both versions of the initials) the organization will host a cash bar reception at the normal spot at NAB in Las Vegas. That’s the Parasol Down bar at the Wynn Hotel on Tuesday night beginning at 9:00. I’ll hope to see you there.
Newly Named News Directors:
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA…LISA BURGER gets her first ND job as she takes over for this Nexstar NBC/CBS duopoly. She’s currently the EP at KMGH-TV in Denver. But Lisa is no stranger to Fresno or California, having worked for KMPH-TV in Fresno as an EP and producer for ten years and having served as the Assistant ND for KUSI-TV in San Diego. At KSEE/KGPE, Lisa replaces CHAD McCOLLUM who left earlier this year to become Public Affairs and Information Supervisor for Clovis, CA, where Chad lives. He was ND here six years and worked at the stations for 12.
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY…congratulations to 27 year station veteran DAVE OVERACKER who’s being promoted to ND for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. He most recently has been the Assistant ND here, and started at the station as a sports photographer and worked his way up to Assignment Editor and Managing Editor. Check out his twitter feed for his remarkable weight loss story over the past three years. Dave succeeds CASEY CLARK who left last year to become ND for KCTV in Kansas City.
New News Director Openings:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA…we told you Friday that TODD MOKHTARI was being bumped up the NBC corporate ladder to become General Manager for sister NBC/Telemundo stations KNSD/KUAN-TV in San Diego. Todd’s been the ND here for seven years, had earlier been an ND for two stations in Seattle, and worked for NBC’s KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco, CA. He began his career as an intern for KCRA-TV in Sacramento.
WBTV, Charlotte, NC…after 18 years as news director for this CBS affiliate, DENNIS MILLIGAN will retire after the May rating period. GM SCOTT DEMPSEY sent this email with details. Before Charlotte, Dennis worked in San Francisco, Fresno, and Bakersfield, CA. He began his career in radio, starting as a news writer for a top 40 station in San Diego (while he was still in high school!) and worked for radio stations in Yuma, AZ, and Marion, OH.
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH…STEVE KOLES has left this Dispatch Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate after about eight months as ND. Before that, he spent seven years as ND for WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, MI, and also worked in Providence, Tulsa, Baltimore, and Norfolk. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Director of News and Digital Content, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:
WBNS-TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, has a rare and unique opportunity as it seeks a dynamic visionary to be its’ next Director of News and Digital Content. 10TV is one of the last family-owned power houses in the industry. We are nationally recognized as an industry leader with a focus on journalistic excellence. We are never satisfied at being #1 as we continue to seek ways to grow our dominance.
The Director of News and Digital Content will oversee a large news operation that is focused on enterprise and investigative reporting, creative storytelling, and compelling content. Must have the track record and skillset to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have a strong digital acumen and knowledge of how and where the audience consumes content and how to best optimize the opportunities to capture their attention and loyalty. Will collaborate with the General Manager and Director of Digital Strategy on digital strategy and innovation.
Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback with the team. Quality drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us and lead this exceptional news team. Minimum 7 years experience in news management and proven track record in audience growth on all screens. Please include your news philosophy when applying.
Apply online at www.10tv.com (Note: The link may not be operational until later Monday.)
WBNS 10TV is an equal opportunity employer.
Executive Producer, WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL:
WVTM, a Hearst television station in Birmingham, Alabama is looking for an executive producer to grow its news product.
The Birmingham of today is much different from the history books. It is the cradle of the Civil Rights movement and is rich in history. Birmingham has undergone a renaissance in recent years. The city has received national attention and recognition for its flourishing restaurant scene, downtown revival and overall quality of life.
Alabama is more than just barbeque, though it has some of the best in the world. Zagat.com recently rated Birmingham #1 on its list of America’s Next Hot Food Cities. The historic downtown area is being renovated with condos and loft apartments within walking distance of entertainment and shopping.
There are plenty of recreational opportunities from hiking in nearby state parks to biking trails. There are nationally recognized green spaces, unique local breweries and even baseball.
Alabama is crazy about college football. There is a constant feud between fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers.
This is an exciting time for WVTM. We are one of the newest members of the Hearst family. Hearst is committed to making sure we have the people and resources we need to become the market leader. Our next executive producer will lead a staff of talented people dedicated to being the #1 source of news and information in Alabama.
Why wouldn’t you want this job? Click here to apply.
Executive Producer, KCOY/KEYT/KKFX-TV, Santa Barbara, CA:
KEYT, KCOY and Fox 11 News have a rare opportunity for a front line newsroom manager.
The Executive Producer manages daily content from MMJs and producers in a diverse, competitive market producing 8 hours of news each weekday. The EP works closely with the team to craft enterprised, compelling and important stories for two separate newscasts that compete against each other every weeknight. It’s fast paced and complicated at times! Strong news producing skills are essential, as the EP regularly fills in for producers on vacation, during sick coverage, etc. The EP works with the News Director, Managing Editor and Digital Content Director to lead a team creating broadcast and digital content across the market. You’ll assist the ND with budget and reviews, you’ll play a major part in planning for special events, elections, digital coverage and of course breaking news. Our last #2 became ND at a sister station, so this is an excellent opportunity for someone with a desire to grow their newsroom management skills and can coach the team to their very best potential. No screamers or chair throwers please. We’re a team here and it takes everyone to win! A minimum 5 years experience is required.
If this resonates, definitely apply!
Go to keyt.com in jobs/internships under the “About” tab to apply.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screen.
NPG of CA is an EOE.
News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (listed 2/10/19)
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (relisted 2/3/19)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted this week)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (listed 3/17/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 3/3/19)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 3/3/19)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 2/3/19)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 3/10/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 3/10/19)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (listed 3/24/19)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted this week)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (listed 2/24/19)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (PM EP, relisted 2/10/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 3/10/19)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Digital EP, listed 3/10/19)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Nightside EP, new listing this week)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listed 3/3/19)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (new listing this week)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (relisted 3/10/19)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (TWO EP openings, relisted 1/27/19)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 3/3/19)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (new listing this week)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital EP, relisted 3/10/19)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 3/24/19)
KEYT-KCOY-KKFX-TV, Santa Barbara, CA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WQOW-TV, Eau Claire, WI (listed 3/24/19)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth (relisted this week)
Other News Management Openings:
New listings this week:
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital Content Executive Producer)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (Digital Content Executive Producer)
WFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 3/17/19:
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 3/10/19:
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Digital Director)
WKRG, Mobile, AL (Digital Content Manager)
KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Digital Content Manager)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 3/3/19:
Rocky Mountain Public Media, Denver, CO (Chief Content Officer)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV Digital Executive Producer)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital Executive Producer)
Relisted 2/10/17:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Editorial Content)
E.W. Scripps, Denver, CO (National Executive Producer)
WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA (Digital Content Manager)
Obituaries:
ANA REAL, a longtime CBS foreign news manager, died this week of leukemia. The network paid tribute to her in this story.
BLAKE BYRNE, a former GM for KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and co-founder of Argyle Television, died last weekend at the age of 83. He was also a world renowned art collector.
Names in the News (and other items):
Godfrey
ED GODFREY, a one-time news director in markets like Atlanta, Portland, OR, and Louisville, (and a former RTNDA chair) is on the mend after a spill in a Louisville grocery store. His wife SUE tells me he injured his right side but fortunately their son was with Ed and able to get him prompt attention. He’ll be in a nursing home for a while but your email note would brighten his day: esbeach@bellsouth.net.
The Cronkite News Lab profiles BYRON HARMON and his efforts to change the culture at New York’s WNYW-TV (FOX). His efforts include creation of a unit called the ICU (not the one you hear in your newsroom every day).
A tip of the hat to the newsroom employees at WKRG-TV in Mobile who died their hair blue (the color of colon cancer awareness) to support a veteran employee diagnosed with the disease. Assignment editor JENNIFER ROGERS burst into tears when she saw her colleagues.
Speaking of WKRG, congratulations to KENDRA DAY who’s been promoted to Executive Producer for that Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. She’s been the 10:00 producer there.
PATRICIA SAUCEDA is the new EP for KJRH-TV in Tulsa. She’s been a producer in Phoenix and Tucson.
JUSTIN WULF is returning to the assistant news director job at KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls, SD. He had previously served as KDLT’s Interim News Director after JESSICA BROVOLD’s departure last year.
And the South Carolina Senate honored one time News Director and longtime AP staffer JACK JONES as he retires after 40 years in news.
General Manager News and Notes:
We told you above about TODD MOKHTARI‘s appointment as GM for NBC’s KNSD/KUAN-TV in San Diego. We repeat it here for those of you with short memories.
Bahakel Communications has named JEFFREY McCALLISTER GM of its FOX affiliate, WFXB-TV in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 31, 2019:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
News 12 New Jersey 450 Raritan Center Parkway Edison, NJ 08837
News 12 The Bronx 930 Soundview Avenue Bronx, NY 10473
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
KNBC-TV 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98134
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave., Seattle WA 98121
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
WBTV 1 Julian Price Pl, Charlotte, NC 28208
KFMB-TV 7677 Engineer Road San Diego, CA 92111
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr, Columbus, OH 43215 (see ad above!)
WSPA-TV 250 International Drive Spartanburg, SC 29303
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WHBQ-TV 485 S. Highland. Memphis, TN 38111
KARK-TV 1401 West Capitol Avenue, # 104 Little Rock, AR 72201
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25301
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WGME-TV 81 Northport Drive. Portland, ME 04103
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas RD Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KIII-TV 5002 South Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
WECT-TV 322 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28412
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
WJMN-TV 3165 Wright Street, Suite 101 Marquette, MI 49855
**: Spanish language station