September 1, 2008
Greetings:
Welcome to your Labor Day weekend edition of our weekly newsletter that tracks news of news directors and news managers.
We have TWO new news directors to share with you, while THREE stations are now looking for new NDs.
My figures now show 33 open ND positions around the country.
This week’s newsletter contains two ads: one for a Phoenix EP position, and the other for a Midwest ND job. In Names in the News, a former St. Louis ND becomes a grandfather, and a New York city o-and-o names two new news managers.
Sadly, we also have the obit of a veteran newswoman who worked in North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
That and more after this week’s change:
NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT…TANYA VEA is leaving this CBS affiliate to take a job with a Salt Lake City advertising agency. Tanya’s been at KUTV for 13 years and has been ND since June, 2005. By the way, she’s the niece of former WSB-TV ND and current consultant for SmithGeiger, JENNIFER RIGBY. KUTV, once a CBS o-and-o, is nowowned by Cerberus Capital Management.
WPTZ-TV, Plattsburgh, NY…KYLE GRIMES is being promoted within owned Hearst to be ND for the company’s West Palm Beach, FL, station. More on that below. Kyle’s been ND here since April, 2005, when he was promoted from Executive Producer at this NBC affiliate.
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL…KEITH WHEELER has left this Calkins Media owned ABC affiliate after six months as ND.
NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…KYLE GRIMES has been promoted to ND for this Hearst-owned CBS affiliate. He’s been the ND for Hearst’s WPTZ-TV in Plattsburgh, NY. He replaces JOE COSCIA who left the station in July after seven years as ND.
WISC-TV, Madison, WI…COLIN BENEDICT has been promoted to news director for this Evening Telegram owned CBS affiliate. He has been Managing Editor for the station. His promotion allows longtime WISC employee TOM BIER to return full-time to his Station Manager duties. Tom, a former RTNDA chair, has been filling in as ND since November, 2006, when CARMELYN DALEY followed her husband to a new job out of state.
And our apologies to newly-named KTAB/KRBC-TV (Abilene, TX) news director AUSTIN KELLERMAN. I incorrectly called him ARTHUR in last week’s report.
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HELP WANTED AD
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ
KPHO-TV5, the Meredith-owned CBS affiliate in Phoenix, AZ has an opening for an Executive News Producer.
Are you an experienced news manager who knows how to deliver a great newscast through people-driven leadership?
KPHO seeks an Executive Producer responsible for supervising all aspects of our news programs, including development and execution of newscast content and program format. Successful candidate will work closely with Producers, Reporters and Assignment Editors in developing and maintaining high quality newscasts by overseeing story selection, coverage, pre-production and rundowns. Also responsible for proofing and editing scripts on a daily basis.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree preferred in Journalism or Broadcasting. Training in management and newsroom computers required. High School diploma or equivalent required.
Experience:
3-5 years experience in mid-to-large markets preferred.
Specific Knowledge:
Minimum three years experience as a Producer and demonstrated track record developing and producing news programs. Proven communication skills and management leadership skills are necessary. Must have the ability to work well under deadline pressure, have excellent organizational skills and the ability to management projects.
Apply online at cbs5jobs@kpho.com or mail your resume to:
Human Resources
KPHO-TV
4016 N Black Canyon Hwy
Phoenix, AZ 85017
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NEWS DIRECTOR, WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL
CBS4/WHBF-TV is looking for a dynamic person to lead our News Department. The successful candidate will have the ability to motivate and guide our staff while teaching and mentoring our newer team members.
Prior News Director or Executive/Senior Producer experience is preferred but not necessary. What is necessary is the ability to grow and develop a top quality news product. You must be competitive and have an innate understanding and ability to produce compelling, topical, interesting, informative newscasts. Developing a successful working relationship with the other station Department Heads will also be vital.
This is a great opportunity for the right person. If that’s you then send out a cover letter today describing your news philosophy/vision and tell us how you’d be a great News Director. Also include a resume, references and recent newscast on VHS/DVD or provide a Web link.
Send your information to:
CBS4/WHBF-TV
Attn: Allen Sandubrae
VP News Citadel Communications
231 18th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone Calls are welcome:
Monday and Friday
515-457-9645 ext. 129
Tuesday-Thursday
309-786-5441 ext. 103
Or Email: ASandubrae@myabc5.com
We’ll fill this position as soon as we find the right person!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Closing date September 3, 2008 or until the position is filled.
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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/15/08)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/8/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 6/6/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 6/13/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 6/27/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 7/10/08)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:
KTVU-TV, Oakland/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, relisted 7/10/08)
KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted this week) (See ad above!)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 7/03/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 7/25/08)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (Weekend EP, relisted 7/3/08)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 6/20/08)
WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC (Nightside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/08/08)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 6/27/08)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/8/08)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (listed 6/20/08)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 6/27/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 7/03/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, listing revised 7/03/08)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 8/22/08)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/03/08)
KVIA-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 6/27/08)
WGGB-TV, Springfield, MA (listed 6/20/08)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPECIAL PROJECTS:
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 7/25/08)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, INVESTIGATIONS/SPECIAL PROJ.
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 8/8/08)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/15/08)
KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)
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OBITUARY:
Our sympathy to friends and family of DENISE RICH-WISTOFT who died earlier this week in Tampa, Fl. She was 47. Denise worked in Huntsville, AL, Fayetteville, NC, Oklahoma City, Orlando, and Tampa during her career. She’s survived by her husband, ERIK. You can read more about Denise by clicking here.
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NAMES in the NEWS:
Two new news managers to tell you about at WNYW-TV in New York. RENA POPP has been named Assistant ND for this FOX o-and-o. She’s been the Ass’t. ND at another FOX o-and-o, WTTG-TV in Washington, since 2005 and is a former ND in Bakersfield, CA. And we’re now able to report that DAVID HATCHER is returning to WNWY as EP of the 10:00 PM news. He has been the Assistant ND at WBZ-TV in Boston, but earlier worked at WNYW, as well two other NYC stations.
Congratulations to former St. Louis and Albany, NY, news director GARY WHITAKER and his wife JOAN. Their daughter Logan and her husband made the Whitaker’s grandparents last week with the birth of daughter Lucy. Gary’s now a publishing baron, owning city magazines in Springfield, MO, & Wichita. Email your congratulations to him at: garywhitaker@417mag.com
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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, August 29, 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
WSNS-TV 430 W. Grant Place Chicago IL 60614 *
KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix AZ 85013
WWSB-TV 1477 10th St. Sarasota FL 34236
KMGH-TV 123 Speer Blvd, Denver CO 80203
WRTV 1330 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46202
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego CA 92102
KUTH-TV 525 South 300 West #1 Salt Lake City UT 84101 *
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville SC 29615
KRQE-TV 13 Broadcast Plaza Albuquerque NM 87104
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Avenue Buffalo NY 14202
KMPH-TV 5111 E. McKinley Ave. Fresno CA 93727
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
WTVR-TV 3301 W. Broad St. Richmond VA 23230
KSNW-TV 833 N. Main Wichita KS 67203
KWCH-TV 2815 East 37th Street North Wichita KS 67219
WCSH/WLBZ-TV One Congress Square Portland ME 04101
WSTM-TV 1030 James St. Syracuse NY 13203
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St. Columbia SC 29201
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Boulevard Huntsville AL 35801
WAFF-TV 1414 N. Memorial Pkwy. Huntsville AL 35801
KVEO-TV 394 N. Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WPTZ-TV 5 Television Drive Plattsburgh NY 12901
WHBF-TV 231 18th St. Rock Island IL 61201 (see ad above)
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th St. Moline IL 61265
KDBC-TV 2201 E. Wyoming Ave. El Paso TX 79903
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway FL 32343
WAGT-TV 905 Broad St. Augusta GA 30901
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 S. Beaumont TX 77701
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert CA 92260
KTUU-TV 701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503
KIMT-TV 112 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Mason City IA 50401
KIDK-TV 1255 E.17th St. Idaho Falls ID 83404
# indicates Spanish language station
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