November 24, 2008
Greetings:
Two new ND openings in top 20 markets highlight this week’s newsletter. We first reported those to you in emailed UPDATES earlier this week but will recap them here for those of you who access this esteemed publication via the web.
In all, there are FOUR new news director openings, while THREE previously open jobs have been filled. And we’re removing one opening from the list as news production is being delayed.
With all these changes, my figures show there are still 26 stations with openings for a news director. As always, we appreciate your emailed updates.
The only paid ad this week is for an ND opening at WXIN-TV here in Indianapolis. If you get the job, I’ll buy you lunch.
Once.
And I pick the place. 🙂
Also this week, we have a few new or updated news management openings.
In Names in the News, we’ll tell you about a former Florida, Indiana and Ohio ND who is blogging about his terminal illness.
Also, details on a former Los Angeles ND who’s suing his former station, a Las Vegas news director escapes serious injury in an auto accident, and we’ll tell you about some promotions for a number of current and former news people.
Also, if you have an appropriate opening(s), we’ll tell you how you can help some talented behind-the-scenes people who are losing their jobs as Comcast restructures its cable channel, CN8.
That and much more after this week’s changes:
NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:
WBBM-TV, Chicago, IL…we first told you about the departure of veteran ND CAROL FOWLER in an emailed update earlier this week. She’s left this CBS o-and-o after six years as ND. Carol had earlier been ND for Chicago’s WGN-TV.
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO…another emailed update brought news that BRAD REMINGTON was leaving this FOX/CW joint newsroom to become the next ND for KTVK-TV in Phoenix. Brad’s been the ND for this LocalTV owned Fox station for about two years, and earlier had been an ND in St. Louis and Albuquerque.
WEYI-TV, Clio, MI…LINDSAY MOORE has left the Barrington owned station after seven months as ND. She’s taken a producing job at WDIV-TV in Detroit.
KMID-TV, Midland, TX…this Nexstar owned station is looking for an ND to replace MEL HUDMAN who left the station several months ago after six years as ND. Anchor KARL RUNDGREN is serving as interim ND.
NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:
KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ…as mentioned above, BRAD REMINGTON will be the new ND here….the fourth ND here in five years. KTVK, as you likely know, is the Belo-owned independent station. The move brings Brad to his wife’s hometown…in fact, they were married here. He’ll replace SANDY BRELAND who left the station in June to return to her native Louisiana as the GM for WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge.
KMTV, Omaha, NE…SCOTT PICKEN will be the next ND for this Journal Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. We told you last week that Scott was leaving his ND job at Journal’s KIVI-TV in Boise, ID, but we didn’t know he was being promoted. Congrats to Scott. He’ll replace KEN DUDZIK who left the station in September after seven years as ND.
KLDT-TV, Sioux Falls, SD…SETH OELTJENBRUNS has been promoted from chief photographer to ND for this NBC affiliate which is owned by Red River Broadcasting. He’s the seventh ND in seven years here. He replaces JEN WAHLE who left after about a year as ND to take a job with the Heart Association.
Two more notes. We’re removing the listing for an ND opening for KUTH-TV in Salt Lake City. This Univision station is delaying introduction of news.
And, as promised above, a message from CN8’s JOHN MUSSONI, the Senior Executive Producer who oversaw the channel’s morning program, and is very familiar with much of the staff there. Here’s John’s note:
Comcast has decided to change the focus of CN8 beginning in January. A new network run as a duopoly of Comcast Sportnet in both Philadelphia and Baltimore will be formed. This decision means a number of show producers, editors, photographers, production techs, and satellite truck operators are looking for work. Most would like to stay on the east coast, but they would love to know about any and all jobs that are available. You can contact John Mussoni at: mussonidel@comcast.net if you have such an opening.
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HELP WANTED ADS
NEWS DIRECTOR, WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN
WXIN-TV Fox 59, is seeking a News Director to develop and execute strategies designed to make the station’s six hours of newscasts per day the audience leaders in the market.
This creative, newsroom leader will oversee day-to-day newsroom operations, staffing and supervision of the department. In addition, the ideal candidate must want to make great television and not be afraid to experiment.
Degree in broadcast journalism or equivalent related experience and a minimum of 5 years TV news management experience required.
Successful candidate will have experience managing a complex news operation, as well as knowledge of research and promotional tools, human resources policies and FCC guidelines as they relate to news, and a firm grasp of strategic planning and positioning. Requires the ability to effectively manage a large staff in a deadline-oriented environment while providing staff consistent, constructive performance feedback.
Send resume with cover letter stating referral source and salary history via email to: elines@tribune.com
or via mail to:
Human Resources
WXIN/WTTV
6910 Network Place
Indianapolis IN 46278
EOE
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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 10/31/08)
KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 10/3/08)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (new listing this week
) KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/29/08)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (Nightside EP, listed 9/14/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 9/26/08)
WFOR-TV, Miami, FL (Nightside EP, listed 9/26/08)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (AM EP, listed 9/19/08)
WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC (Nightside EP, relisted 9/19/08)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted this week)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (relisted 9/26/08)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 11/21/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 9/26/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 9/26/08)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 11/21/08)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, relisted this week)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 10/03/08)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPECIAL PROJECTS:
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 10/31/08)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (relisted this week)
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NAMES in the NEWS:
Former ND BILL CRAFTON is blogging about his life with a terminal illness. Bill once anchored at WISH-TV here in Indianapolis (where I believe he co-anchored with a very young JANE PAULEY). He later moved into news management, and was an ND in Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, and South Bend. You can read Bill’s blog here: http://whatitsliketodie.tumblr.com/ You can also find his email address there to send him a note.
Congratulations to former ND DODIE CANTRELL-BICKLEY who was promoted today to become GM of Gannett’s Jacksonville, FL, duopoly, WTLV/WJXX. She’s currently the GM at Gannett’s WMAZ-TV in Macon, where she had been the ND earlier in her career. Dodie will replace KEN TONNING who was named GM of the company’s Tampa station, WTSP-TV.
Former KMEX-TV ND JORGE METTEY is suing station owner Univision, claiming he was fired for refusing to tailor news coverage for advertisers. The company says the suit has no merit. The Los Angeles Times covers the dispute in this article.
Tribune’s WGN-TV in Chicago has promoted JENNIFER LYONS to Assistant News Director. She has been the EP of the morning news, and has worked at the station for 15 years.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to KVVU-TV (Las Vegas) ND ADAM BRADSHAW who’s recovering from minor injuries suffered in a car accident on Wednesday. Adam tells me most of his discomfort comes from airbag related bruises. His Saturn was hit by driver who decided to cross three lanes of a busy street near McCarran Airport. You send email Adam a funny joke…or a get well wish…to: mrnews5@gmail.com
RANDALL KAMM has signed a new contract to continue as ND/Anchor for KTVE/KARD-TV in West Monroe, LA.
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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, November 21, 2008. If you know of any updates, corrections, or additions to this list, please let me know via email at: rick@rickgevers.com
KTLA-TV 5800 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
CLTV News 2000 York, Suite 114 Oak Brook IL 60523
WBBM-TV 22 W. Washington Chicago IL 60602
WWSB-TV 1477 10th St. Sarasota FL 34236
WSFL-TV 200 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale FL 33301
KDVR-TV 100 Speer Blvd. Denver CO 80203
WESH-TV 1021 N. Wymore Rd. Winter Park FL 32789
WRTV 1330 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46202
WXIN-TV 6910 Network Place Indianapolis IN 46278
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego CA 92102
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
KMPH-TV 5111 E. McKinley Ave. Fresno CA 93727
WEYI-TV 2225 West Willard Road Clio MI 48420
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral FL 33991
WSTM-TV 1030 James St. Syracuse NY 13203
KDBC-TV 2201 E. Wyoming Ave. El Paso TX 79903
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway FL 32343
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa (Boise) ID 83687
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr. Bakersfield CA 93301
WTVA-TV PO Box 350 Tupelo MS 38802
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe LA 71211
KMID-TV 3200 LaForce Blvd. Midland TX 79711
KIDK-TV 1255 E.17th St. Idaho Falls ID 83404
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire St. Quincy IL 62306
WCAV/WVAW 999 2nd St. SE Charlottesville VA 22902
KKCO-TV 2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
Rick Gevers
Rick Gevers & Associates
PO Box 577
Zionsville IN 46077
317-769-7900 (phone)
317-769-7910 (fax)
rick@rickgevers.com
www.rickgevers.com