November 11, 2018
Tuesday, November 13, 2018 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A surprise mid-rating period resignation today from the news director of a top ten market station.
Jacob
MITCH JACOB, the news director for Sinclair’s WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington, told the staff within the hour that he’s resigning. This email explains the reasons behind his departure. His last day will be this Friday, November 16th.
He’s been ND there since October, 2014, and added station manager to his title last November. Mitch earlier served as the ND for Sinclair’s WSYX/WTTE-TV in Columbus, Oh, and also was an ND in Toledo and Phoenix.
More on this…and all the week’s news…in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
For the middle of a rating period, there’s a lot going on.
We have FOUR newly opened news director jobs, TWO in Jackson, MS. And there are THREE newly hired NDs.
That means, by our figures, the number open news director jobs increases to 31.
THREE of those open ND jobs are among FOUR Paid Help Wanted Ads.
There’s ONE obituary for the “Walter Cronkite of Austin, MN”, some managers on the move (particularly in Phoenix), a former Dallas news manager has written a book for beginning producers, and a fun article on the evolution of technology used for election night coverage.
That’s all below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Maulden
KOTV, Tulsa, OK…CHUCK MAULDEN has been named Director of Content for this Griffin owned CBS affiliate. The company’s VP of Content, TODD SPESSARD, dispatched this note. Chucks’s spent the last six years as ND for KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO, and spent 5+ years as an ND in Little Rock. He began as a photographer in Jonesboro, AR, and worked in Birmingham, Kalamazoo, and St. Louis, where he served as Director of Operations. He replaces JEFF BARDACH who resigned last July to return home to deal with family issues.
Raffaele
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC…MICHAEL RAFFAELE joins this Sinclair Broadcasting owned FOX affiliate as news director. He most recently was the ND for WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS…leaving there in September after not quite two years as ND. He’s also worked in West Palm Beach, Allentown, and Johnstown, PA, and in radio and print. At WACH, Michael replaces DARRYL HUGER who left in July after three years as ND.
Smith
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA…ALLISON SMITH returns to Des Moines and this Hearst owned CBS affiliate as only its FOURTH news director in station history. More from the station’s website. Allison began her career as a producer at KCCI, went on to work for stations in Columbus, OH, and Pittsburgh, and has spent the last four years as the Assistant ND for Hearst’s WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. She’ll replace DAVE BUSIEK who is retiring after 39 years at the station and 29 as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Spadea
KMTV, Omaha, NE…JOE SPADEA has left this Scripps owned CBS affiliate after more than six years as news director. He’s a former ND in Oklahoma City and has also worked in Los Angeles, Boston, Providence, and Lancaster, PA.
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO…we shared above that CHUCK MAULDEN is headed to Tulsa as Director of Content for KOTV. He spent more than five years as ND for this Misson Broadcasting owned but operated by Nexstar CBS affiliate.
Turner
WJTV/WHLT-TV, Jackson/Hattiesburg, MS…CHRIS TURNER has left these Nexstar owned stations after about one year as news director. Both are CBS affiliates. Chris is a former news director in Cheyenne, WY, who also spent more than 20 years at CNN in a variety of roles. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.
Jones
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS…YVE JONES has apparently left (updated 11/12) will leave this Hearst Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate next month. I say apparently as I asked two Hearst news executives to confirm the vacancy: neither responded, but the job is posted on the station’s website. Yve was ND here for not quite two years, and had previously worked for Hearst as Assistant ND in Ft. Smith as well as for company stations in New Orleans and Milwaukee.
And while it’s not a new opening, please note the paid ad below for the opportunity at WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WJTV/WHLT-TV, Jackson/Hattiesburg, MS
WJTV and WJTV.com in Jackson, Mississippi (Market 92) and WHLT and WHLT.com in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (Market 168) is seeking an experienced News Director who is an innovative and dynamic leader, possessing excellent news judgment, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to be the best. As Mississippi’s capital city, the Jackson market has a growing local economy that leans heavily on medical, agriculture, manufacturing, arts and entertainment.
Jackson and Hattiesburg markets both have a large and engaged SEC fan base with nearby colleges including Ole Miss, MS State, University of Southern MS, Jackson State and many more! There are plenty of opportunities for kids and adults alike making Central MS an ideal place to raise a growing family.
You can find out more about this job and apply by clicking here.
News Director, WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS:
Small market News Directors, are you tired of chasing #1 with little to no resources? Are you ready to work for a dominant station and experience what winning BIG feels like? Mid-Market middle managers, are you ready for your first News Director gig with a serious news station?
WTVA, the Heartland Media owned NBC and ABC affiliate in Tupelo-Columbus, MS (133), will take your career to a big market experience fast. Heartland Media is a company that believes in and invests in live, local news (more than 9 hours of live coverage each weekday). WTVA has received 4 Emmys in the last 3 years!
Does your current employer invest in your career with training and consulting as if you were a network O & O? Heartland does, and you could soon be working with Magid consultants who partner with us to evolve our winning strategy. We may be market 133, but we play like the big leagues. You must be energetic, positive, passionate, competitive, possess strong motivational skills and exceed in recruiting and training across generations.
We live in a cultural hotbed for internationally recognized music, art, and literature. Elvis was born here. BB King played in the joints. Tennesse Williams, Faulkner, Grisham. 90 minutes from Memphis, 4 hours from Nashville; near competitive SEC universities (Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State). The cost of living is low, and your generous compensation plan will give you more bang for your buck.
Click here to learn more and apply.
EOE
News Director, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN:
WTHR-TV, Indiana’s News Leader, is seeking a news director to lead this extraordinary team. We are a nationally recognized, award-winning, locally owned and dominant station seeking a dynamic visionary leader.
The News Director will oversee a large news operation that is focused on enterprise and investigative reporting, creative storytelling, and compelling content. Must truly know how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skill set to maximize content and customer loyalty on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.
Quality drives our success and we’re eager to have a leader join us and lead us on this quest. Looking for long term players who love the quality of the Midwest and who would be proud to call Indiana home. Minimum 7 years’ experience in news management and proven track record of major story coverage and ratings success.
Please include your news philosophy along with your resume and cover letter when applying online.
Click here for more info and to apply.
Executive Producer, Special Projects, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:
KPRC-TV, the Graham Media Group owned/NBC affiliate in Houston, TX is searching for an Executive Producer to oversee our award winning investigative and special projects team.
We have a dedicated group of experienced reporters, producers, photographers and editors focused on creating compelling, promotable investigative and enterprise content. It’s the best team in town and you’ll be the leader.
Our ideal EP is someone who is aggressive, competitive and wants to win every story and every newscast. Our ideal candidate is a leader who identifies important investigative stories with broad appeal to our very diverse audience. You’ll need experience supervising investigative journalists. IRE credentials are a plus.
We’re seeking an EP who can showcase stories, knows how to leverage web and social media to help drive ratings and gets the importance of engaging storytelling through graphics, standups and live shots.
Our EP’s are given all the resources available to be successful thus they hold a lot of responsibility in the execution of the role and management of the team. You’ll be responsible for overseeing and executing the station’s year-round promotable calendar, you’ll need to work daily with Creative Services to make sure your efforts are properly marketed. In this position, you’ll also be a key player in breaking news, working with your team to incorporate investigative research and elements into TV and online coverage.
Do you have what it takes to be our next Executive Producer? Email your resume and work samples to Aaron Wische, Assistant News Director at awische@kprc.com
And you can learn more and apply by clicking here.
News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WSNS-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 10/21/18)
WBTS-TV, Boston, IL (listed 10/28/18)
New England Cable News (listed 10/28/18)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (new listing this week)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 10/14/18)
Spectrum News Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (listed 10/7/18)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted this week)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 9/9/18)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 10/21/18)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (listed 10/28/18)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 9/30/18)
KYTX-TV, Tyler, TX (relisted 9/9/18)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (AM EP, relisted 10/14/18)
WFAA-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (listed 10/14/18)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (Dayside EP, listed 9/9/18)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Special Projects EP, listed 11/4/18, see ad above!)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (PM EP, listed 10/21/18)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, relisted 9/9/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, relisted 9/16/18)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 10/14/18)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (AM EP, listed 9/9/19)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (PM EP, listed 10/7/18)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 9/23/18)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (TWO openings, AM & PM, relisted this week)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Dayside EP, listed 11/4/18)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listing modified 10/21/18)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 9/23/18)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (TWO EP openings, listing revised 9/9/18)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 10/14/18)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 10/21/18)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (relisted 10/14/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (AM EP, listed 10/28/18)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 10/14/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 10/21/18)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 10/21/18)
OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
Re-listed 10/21/18:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Editorial Content)
Listed 10/21/18:
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (PM Content Manager)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (AM Content Manager)
Listed 10/14/18:
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (Content Manager)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Broadcast Director)
Listed 10/7/18:
Spectrum News Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (Assignment/Planning Manager)
Obituary:
O’Rourke
JOHN O’ROURKE, called by some the WALTER CRONKITE of Austin, MN, died October 18th at the age of 84. He’s a former news director of what is now KAAL-TV in Austin. One difference between John and Walter: Walter was never mayor of his city, as John was…for ten years. That and more here.
Names in the News (and other items):
Two new news managers at Scripps’ KNXV-TV in Phoenix. VIC FIORELLO is the new morning EP. He re-joins his former boss at KPNX-TV, MARK CASEY, who is now the ND for KNXV. Vic most recently was a Faculty Associate at the Cronkite School at ASU. He’s worked for another Phoenix station and in Toledo.
Also at KNXV: LUKE GARRISON was promoted to PM EP. He’d been a producer there.
Kalb
2018 has likely not been newsman turned journalism educator STEVE KALB’s favorite year. After a successful battle against cancer, he found himself if the hospital with heart issues. I’ll let him tell you about it here.
Former Dallas news manager MARK SHEPERD has spent his time since leaving KDAF-TV in Dallas working on a book for beginning producers. Mark tells me that project is now finished…you can check it out on Amazon by clicking here.
Almost everyone who has worked in a newsroom has worked an election night. If you’re among that group, you might enjoy this look at the change in technology over election night coverage over the years.
General Manager News and Notes:
DIANE KNIOWSKI joins Univision as President and Regional GM of Local Media. She’s been a SVP and Regional for Nexstar and served for many years as GM of WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, MI. The move reunites her with VINCE SADUSKY. He ran LIN Televison when it owned WOOD-TV.
Chastain
Someone many of you (at least those who’ve worked at NBC affiliates in the last 20 years) might know is the new GM for WLNS-TV in Lansing, MI. SCOT CHASTAIN will run that CBS Affiliate. He spent more than 20 years at NBC, mostly in affiliate relations jobs, and has also worked at stations in New Orleans, Winston-Salem, and Bryan, TX.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 11, 2018:
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
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20016
WAGA-TV 1551 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave., Seattle WA 98121
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 (see ad above!)
WTTV/WXIN-TV 6910 Network Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46278
WATE-TV 1306 North Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria Tulsa, OK 74105
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main St, Dayton, OH 45409
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street. Green Bay, WI 54301
KMTV 10714 Mockingbird Dr, Omaha, NE 68127
KOLR-TV 2650 E Division St, Springfield, MO 65803
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KKTV 520 E. Colorado Colorado Springs, CO 80903
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way Jackson, MS 39209
WJTV 1820 TV Road Jackson MS 39204 (see ad above!)
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323 Tyler, TX 75701
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas RD Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WCTI-TV 225 Glenburnie Dr. New Bern, NC 28560
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KIII-TV 5002 South Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320 Tupelo, MS 38802 (see ad above!)
KRCG-TV, 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
WTWO-TV PO Box 9268 Terre Haute, IN 47808
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301
**: Spanish language station