November 24, 2019
November 26, 2019 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Two news manager promotions at a central Ohio station to share.
Nickels
At Tegna’s WBNS-TV (CBS) in Columbus, JENNIFER NICKELS has been promoted to news director. A Columbus native, Jen has been the Assistant ND there since September 2016 and served as the interim ND since STEVE KOLES left in March after eight months. (The delay in hiring could be attributed to the sale from Dispatch Broadcasting to Tegna which closed this summer.)
Jen has also worked in Louisville, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbia, MO.
Achladis
Also at WBNS, TED ACHLADIS has been named Director of Digital Content, He’s been working at WFXT-TV (FOX) in Boston, but has spent much of his career in Ohio, working at three stations in Cleveland and in Youngstown, He’s also worked in New York and Syracuse, where he began his career as a photographer, reporter and sports anchor.
We plan on publishing this weekend so we’ll see you Sunday with a full report.
regards,
gevers
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Greetings:
Considering there’s still a few days left in the rating book, there’s a lot of activity this week.
Like FOUR new news directors, and THREE new ND openings.
That means our list of open ND jobs moves to 26. And I anticipate at least ONE new ND job to be filled this week.
There are THREE paid help wanted ads, including ONE for one of those open ND jobs, another for an EP job at a large market investigative unit, and ONE for an Assistant ND job at an Iowa station.
We have an very brief obituary for a former Houston and Sacramento GM. In Names in the News, a promotion to a corporate job at Nexstar, and we’ll tell you about a scholarship fund in honor of a beloved Florida anchor.
We’re getting a new GM in Indianapolis and a quick promotion in Boston for an NBC exec.
All that and more below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Hill-Rodriguez
KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA…sometimes things just work out, as they did for ERICA-HILL RODRIGUEZ. She resigned as ND for KCPQ-TV in Seattle to move (without a job) to Los Angeles to be closer to her wife. And this week she became the new ND for the FOX-owned duopoly. Erica spent 12 years in her second stint at KCPQ, rejoining the station as managing editor, then AND, before being named ND in 2013. She’s also worked in Chicago and Boise. KCPQ posted this article on leadership lessons they learned from her…and that you could, too. At KTTV, she replaces KRIS KNUTSEN (a 30 year veteran of the market) who left in August after three years as ND.
McNamara
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO…our UPDATE Tuesday told you that SEAN McNAMARA would be the next ND for this Nexstar FOX affiliate. Sean’s been the Assistant ND for Graham Media’s WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando since 2011. He’s been an ND three times before and began his career in newspapers.
Because we are ON YOUR SIDE and/or LOOKING OUT FOR YOU and/or COVERAGE YOU CAN COUNT ON (I’ll stop now), we have thoughtfully combined the memos from WDAF GM TRACY BROGDEN-MILLER and the memo from ALLISON McGINLEY, the ND at WKMG into one easy to click link. Sean replaces DANA McDANIEL who left this summer to become ND for KFMB-TV in San Diego.
Lee
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI…that Tuesday UPDATE also reported that DAVID LEE would be the new ND for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. David most recently was the news director for WTXL-TV in Tallahassee, FL, where he worked for THREE owners in just 5 1/2 years at that ABC affiliate. David began his career on-air before moving to management. He replaces KELLY PATTERSON who stepped down in September for family reasons after nine months as ND. She had also been an EP there.
Sherer
WWAY-TV, Wilmington, NC…the last item in Tuesday’s UPDATE acknowledged that we were late in telling you that BRANDON SHERER has been the ND here since October. WWAY is an ABC/CBS/CW operation owned by Morris Multimedia. Brandon most recently was the ND for Spectrum Central North Carolina, spent 13 years as the Assistant ND for WTVD-TV in Raleigh and was once an ND in Cape Girardeau, MO. At WWAY, he replaces KEVIN WUZZARDO who is now Managing Editor for WHBQ-TV in Memphis.
New News Director Openings:
Haggar
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE…MARK HAGGAR has left this Standard Media owned ABC affiliate after a remarkable 22 year run as news director. Standard Media acquired the station this summer and installed a new GM, which brings to mind this wise counsel shared by a loyal reader a few weeks ago:
30 days hath September, April, and any sitting ND who gets a new GM.
Sadiwskyj
WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…LENA SADIWSKYJ has left this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate as her two year contract expired. She told me she’s hoping to announce her next move soon. She’s been an ND in Knoxville, Orlando, Tucson, Shreveport, has worked in Dallas, Phoenix, Birmingham, as well as Toronto and Halifax in her native Canada. Lena also taught at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Her complete background is on her Linkedin page.
Thompson
WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA…VAL THOMPSON has resigned as news director for this Lockwood Broadcast Group CBS affiliate. Val’s been the ND there since December, 2014, and first joined the station in 2012. He’s also worked in Chicago, as an anchor in Harrisonburg, Va., and a reporter in Salt Lake City. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA:
WCAV in Charlottesville, VA is seeking a highly motivated News Director to lead our talented staff.
Duties:
Plan, staff and train news department
Develop news coverage for station and digital platforms
Quality control news stories to correct errors and improve content
Develop strategy for news content to meet station goals while collaborating with Creative Services and Sales departments to ensure those goals are met.
Skills:
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Able to use Microsoft Office
Ability to meet deadlines and priorities (prioritize) assignments
Ability to work as a team leader for news staff
Excellent problem-solving skills
Be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Requirements:
5 years working in a newsroom
2 years working as a news director or assistant news director
Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or related field or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience
The ideal candidate will possess excellent news judgment, motivational skills, and the ability to find and develop talent.
Send resume to: John Cochrane at jcochrane@lockwoodbroadcast.com
Lockwood Broadcast Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Pre-employment drug test is required along with a background screen as allowed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Executive Producer, Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO:
Rocky Mountain Public Media is looking for an experienced Executive Producer to join our duPont-winning investigative team, based in Denver.
We are looking for a passionate investigative journalist with the ability to be a strong leader to join our Insight with John Ferrugia program and build on the team’s successful record of in-depth investigations presented on various platforms that truly impact our community. See our work at rmpbs.org/insight
Rocky Mountain Public Media, Inc. is the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz and The Drop Hip-Hop and R&B radio station.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience with in-depth investigations and data journalism, creating strategies around storytelling and raising awareness, identifying story ideas, and leading a team of highly-skilled journalists to execute a strategy. Candidates with some level of supervisory experience are preferred.
Apply by clicking here:
Rocky Mountain Public Media is an equal opportunity employer.
Assistant News Director, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:
Are you an aggressive, seasoned producer, anchor or reporter with an unending passion for news?
KTIV, the #1 Station in Sioux City, Iowa seeks a career-minded journalist with strong leadership skills to join our award-winning team as an Assistant News Director. You will drive News 4’s editorial process, constantly guiding our multi-media journalists and producers to develop news content on all platforms.
This is a senior newsroom position, perfect for the aspiring news director. The successful candidate will have a four-year degree, preferably in broadcast news/journalism or related field and significant producing, writing or newsgathering experience in a commercial newsroom.
Send resume, news philosophy, cover letter and references to:
Keith W. Bliven, News Director
Email: kbliven@ktiv.com
Address: 2929 Signal Hill Drive, Sioux City, IA 51108
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown, MD (listed 11/3/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 11/10/19)
WACH-TV, Columbia SC (listed 11/10/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 11/17/19)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/20/19)
KRCG-TV, Jefferson City, MO (relisted this week)
KXMA-TV, Bismarck, ND (listed 10/20/19)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 11/17/19, see ad above!)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/20/19)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 11/10/19)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, relisted 10/20/19)
Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MMO (listed 10/20/19)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 10/20/19)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 11/17/19)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 9/29/19)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/20/19)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (Dayside EP, listing modified 9/15/19)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (2 openings, EP and Digital EP revised 11/17/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 9/8/19)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 9/29/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, listed 10/13/19)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 10/13/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 10/6/19)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (AM EP, listed 9/8/19)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/10/19)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 11/3/19)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (2 openings, EP & Digital EP, revised 11/17/19)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 10/27/19)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital Executive Producer, relisted 11/10/19)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (relisted 10/20/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (listed 10/13/19)
WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV (relisted 11/17/19)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KNSD-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/13/19)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 11/17/19:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Content Manager)
Obituaries:
I’m told that ALLAN HOWARD, a former general manager for stations in Houston (KHOU-TV) and Sacramento (KXTV) has passed away, but I have no other details. If you do, please email at rick@rickgevers.com
Names in the News (and other items):
SABRINA BETTS advances within Nexstar to become the company’s Special Projects Manager. She’s been an EP for Nexstar’s WSYR-TV in Syracuse, was formerly a producer there, and has worked at other stations in the market.
Chioji
BILL BAUMANN, a longtime news director and general manger who’s now retired, wrote to let us know about a new scholarship fund in the memory of WENDY CHIOJI, a longtime anchor at WESH-TV in Orlando who lost a long battle with cancer last October. She was just 57 years old. Wendy worked for many years at WESH, which posted this online story which includes ways you can donate to help.
General Manager News and Notes:
Mancuso
DOMINIC MANCUSO is moving to Indianapolis where he’ll run Nexstar’s WTTV/WXIN-TV, the CBS/FOX duopoly there. He’s been the general manager for Nexstar’s WIVB/WNLO-TV in Buffalo. Dominic’s been a GM in Cleveland (WOIO/WUAB-TV), Nashville, and has worked for two stations in Chicago.
CHRIS WAYLAND, who became VP and Station Manager for NBC’s Boston operations earlier this year, adds additional duties at Senior VP NBC Sports Boston. He had earlier been the GM for WPIX-TV in New York.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 24, 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
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave Norfolk, VA 23510
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria Tulsa, OK 74105
WDBJ-TV 2807 Hershberger Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24017
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Road Madison, WI 53719
KGAN-TV 600 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr, Carterville, IL 62918
KLKN-TV 3240 S 10th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave, Medford, OR 97504
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Road West Monroe, LA 71292
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
WDTV 5 Television Dr, Bridgeport, WV 26330
WCAV-TV 999 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (see ad this week!)
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
**: Spanish language station