September 11, 2016

Friday, September 16, 2016 UPDATE:

A veteran of the Los Angeles market will be the next news director for Fox o-and-o KTTV.

Kuntsen

Knutsen

KRIS KNUTSEN was named to that job today. For the past 5+ years, she’s been the Assistant News Director for Tribune’s KTLA-TV in Los Angeles. And for 30+ years before that, she worked for KNBC-TV as an Assignment Manager and Managing Editor of the Local News Service.

More on her Linkedin page here.

At KTTV, Kris replaces BILL MONDORA who left the station in June after just more than two years as ND there.

We’ll have more in our full newsletter this weekend.

By the way, I leave tomorrow morning for New Orleans and the EIJ/RTDNA convention. I’ll hope to see some of you there.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

Only ONE newly opened news director’s job to tell you about this week, and, to the best of my knowledge, NO new openings, leaving our count of open ND jobs at 17.

ONE of those 17 openings is featured in one of our TEN help wanted ads.

We have an obituary for a legendary newsman from Seattle, In Names in the News, a story about a former ND who’s about to become President and CEO of one of the country’s biggest broadcasting companies, how a Texas ND described his decision making process on a controversial story, details on an endowment on behalf of a longtime journalism professor, and some news managers on the move. All that’s below.

By the way, the annual EIJ/RTDNA conference is in New Orleans in a week or so, and I hope to see some of you there.

wxmetricscopy-9-7-16

Newly News Director Openings:

Ruiter

  Ruiter

KEYC-TV, Mankato, MN…DAN RUITER left this CBS/FOX operation Friday after more than 12 years as ND. He tells me it was a difficult decision but he’s taken a job as an Information Officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Dan says he’s a native Minnesotan who loves the outdoors. He’s also been an anchor in Austin, MN, and reported in Eau Claire, WI. The station is owned by United Communications Company.

samfull9-11-16

Newly Named News Directors:

None that I know of. If I’ve missed something, please let me know via an email to: rick@rickgevers.com

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Wbns Logo

Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a dynamic Executive Producer with a proven track record. The successful candidate will be responsible for the production, execution and overall presentation of our daily newscasts, while providing leadership in the newsroom, managing producers and associate producers, ensuring writing meets station standards, coordinating with other departments for daily multiplatform news production and assisting in development of news department strategy.

10TV strives to succeed and is looking for someone with passion and enthusiasm to join our strong team! This position requires at least six years’ experience in local television news as a Producer and Executive Producer (with at least two years as EP or similar). The candidate must have excellent news judgment and communication skills, proficient comprehension of digital and social platforms and above average writing and storytelling skills. The ideal candidate should have the ability to manage and influence a large group and to work effectively in often stressful situations required. Experience in investigative journalism and digital platforms are a plus.

Please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume. Please apply at www.dispatchbroadcast.com/careers.

WBNS 10TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Wbns Logo

Digital Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS 10TV is looking for a creative, experienced and driven Digital Executive Producer to lead our digital media team and work with the broadcast team to ensure Central Ohio’s News Leader’s success on all platforms.

This position will oversee and manage the execution of digital and social journalism in alignment with the Director of News & Digital Content.

WBNS is a family owned company that has a strong culture and strives for excellence. We are looking for a gifted candidate that can set a vision for the digital and social platforms and keep it evolving as the industry does. The right candidate will have the combination of being able to see things at the macro level but is also able to roll up their sleeves and be micro.

You will approve, write, edit and publish stories for 10TV.com and our mobile and social networks. The right candidate will be vocal in the editorial meetings beyond just the numbers (though they are important!) to incorporate a creative mission daily. The successful Digital EP will respond quickly and accurately to breaking news. This role will provide guidance to newscast producers and assist in writing on-air teases and text that promote coverage in digital and social media. The ideal candidate will innovate and is able to understand and analyze monthly statistical reports and other documentation regarding digital and social use. Leadership of the digital team will include maintaining work and vacation schedules.

Preferences: 5 years working in a converged (broadcast/digital) newsroom with 2 years management experience.

Please apply at www.dispatchbroadcast.com/careers.

WBNS 10TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WTXL 2014 Banner Design

Executive Producer, WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL:

Are you a producer with a proven track record creating dynamic shows? Are you ready to make that move into management and help build something special? We’re seeking a smart, creative, and enthusiastic Executive Producer with strong leadership skills and a vision for success to join our team at WTXL ABC 27 in Tallahassee, Florida.

Applicant must have a degree in broadcast journalism or related field. Must have at least 4 years producing experience in a professional newsroom; be an excellent writer with good oral communication skills; have solid news judgment; be organized, trustworthy, calm under pressure and have experience with breaking news and live shots. Ability to multi-task is essential.

Must be familiar with ENPS and have the ability to help drive our digital platform and focus on multi-media content. Must have the ability to coordinate and create graphics and help maintain station website. Some non-linear editing experience preferred. Must be a team player with a great attitude and be available to work various schedules. A valid state driver’s license is required.

The candidate must have a visceral distaste for office politics and gossip.

Email your resume to careers@wtxl.tv. Include in the subject line the specific position for which you are applying.

NO PHONE CALLS. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Nexstar Logo

Director of Local Content Development, Nexstar Broadcasting Group:

Nexstar Broadcasting Group is seeking an accomplished news manager to help lead local content initiatives across the group and complement a dynamic Corporate Content team as we prepare to rapidly expand our portfolio of stations.
The position of Director of Local Content Development will work with our growing group of stations to advance our strong multi-platform approach by providing leadership with our broadcast news products, web and mobile content initiatives, and in social media engagement.   Position will work closely with the rest of the Operations team to build on our Company’s approach to “Local” while working with our Senior Management on projects, brand development and market evaluations.
Content is the key to drive “Local” and the development of group wide content initiatives to grow ratings and revenue is essential across all local markets.  At Nexstar, we have a dynamic group that believes in the quality of our local product.  We’re looking for someone who understands local television and how to be successful at it and is not afraid to get it done.
If you are looking for a job that doesn’t involve travel, this is not the job for you. Ideal candidate should have at minimum 5 years of News Management experience.

Please access this link and provide us your information and tell us why you feel you are right fit for this opportunity.  The position will be based at the company’s headquarters in Irving, Texas.

Kx Network logo

News Director, KX Network, Western North Dakota:

If you want to make a lasting impact on the broadcast industry, do something that has never been done before and create a legacy that will create incredible career path opportunities, then we have the job for you.
The KX Television Network in Western ND (Minot/Bismarck/Williston/Dickinson DMA), is looking for a dynamic and experienced News Director to lead and mentor a young team in a geographically challenging market.
The successful candidate must excel at organizing coverage strategies from multiple news bureaus, possess good editorial judgment, have strong leadership skills and understand how to position and showcase a newscast that is urgent and relevant to the viewer no matter where they live. The right candidate must be passionate about brand and content expansion and distribution to all platforms with an eye to the future for innovative things yet to come.
This position requires previous successful television news leadership experience, excellent interpersonal and communication skills; bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
KX Network is a CBS affiliate with a long history and commitment to the community. If you thrive on challenges, mentoring and growing people, continuing coverage and story showcasing, this is your job.

Kxas Logo

Assistant News Director, KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX:

If you are creative and are looking for a place to showcase your skill, then you should apply to be the next executive producer at KXAS-TV, the NBC owned station in Dallas-Fort Worth.
You’d be leading an experienced staff in a state of the art facility in the heart of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions. You will have the potential of building a team of producers all while making KXAS-TV a destination station.
Click here for more details on what we are looking for and to apply.

KNTV Logo

Assistant News Director, KNTV, San Francisco/San Jose, CA:

The Assistant News Director for KNTV in San Jose, CA  will be responsible for ensuring overall execution of newsroom activities in the absence of the VP News.
Implement tactical operations of newsroom while ensuring highest levels of journalistic, legal, television production and promotion standards are maintained. Oversee day-to-day coverage, big story, breaking news, weather and sweeps planning with an eye toward budget, payroll, staffing, field and news operations to meet operational goals.
Responsibilities include supervising newsroom personnel and editorial content. Announce the stories that will be part of each rundown and what angle to take with each one. Address how to market the stories giving specific language to the producers (both newscast & promotions) about the best way to promote stories.  Assign stories to reporters and assign managers to reporters and newscasts. Provide follow up with reporters, reiterating the specific details of their stories – who must interviewed, video that must be shot, possible live locations, etc. Throughout the day, stay in constant contact with reporters to ensure they are staying on task and focused.  Provide regular supervision to Producers and Executive Producers making editorial decisions and exhibit leadership by keeping Producers disciplined on the fundamentals of producing newscasts.
Must have at least 5 years of related work experience including: Direct responsibility for producing a news program and preparing rundowns and managing staff. To apply, please click here!

Kxas Logo

Executive News Producer, KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX:

If you are creative and are looking for a place to showcase your skill, then you should apply to be the next executive producer at KXAS-TV, the NBC owned station in Dallas-Fort Worth.
You’d be leading an experienced staff in a state of the art facility in the heart of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions. You will have the potential of building a team of producers all while making KXAS-TV a destination station.
Click here for more details on what we are looking for and to apply.

Wtvr Logo

Executive Producer, WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA:

WTVR-6 has an opening for an Executive Producer. We are looking for a show doctor who can lead by example, coach excellence, inspire imagination and reward creativity. We need a leader who is “hands on”, who knows how to build up a lead story, craft a compelling newscast and is a decision maker with strong people skills.
We want someone who is proficient at using social media and understands the importance of engaging viewers on all platforms. Solid news judgment, impeccable writing, communication and organizational skills and positive coaching is a must. The EP will have overall responsibility for assigned newscasts, including oversight on story selection, content and production. Other duties and qualifications include:
  • Manage multiple newscasts to meet content objectives and newscast strategies to live up to the brand.
  • Set coverage expectations, hold show review sessions, and drive breaking news coverage
  • Collaborate with team to produce a first in class product.
  • Innovate, think differently and be creative.
  • Manage and develop producers, reporters and anchors through daily copyediting and discussions.
  • Ability to produce newscasts on occasion and work non-traditional hours, weekend and holidays
  • Assist in hiring, train, and managing of producers and reporters
  • Lead long-term planning for content and special coverage
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience required
  • 5 years previous news producing experience
  • Supervisory experience highly preferred
Send cover letter, resume and reel with a spectacular newscast you lead your team to produce. Qualified candidates should apply to WTVR-CBS 6 News Director, Sheryl Barnhouse, via email to: sbarnhouse@wtvr.com.
No phone calls please. EOE.

 

IU Logo

Broadcast journalism (lecturer, non-tenure track), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN::

Practitioners of broadcast journalism with teaching experience – or those with aptitude for teaching – are invited to apply. Experience with a variety of platforms (from traditional TV station environments to streaming or social media formats) is desirable for this position.

Candidates will be expected to play a leadership role in growing our audiovisual curriculum and have the ability to teach courses at the beginning and advanced levels. Minimum education is a relevant Master’s Degree in the field of instruction. Interested candidates should review the job description and submit application materials on-line by clicking here.

Successful candidates for all positions will be able to affiliate with one or more of the units of the Media School: Cinema and Media Studies, Communication Science, Journalism and Media Arts and Production.

Interested candidates should review the job description and submit application materials on-line at the designated web address above. To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 14, 2016; however, applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 9/4/16, see ad above!)
KNTV, San Francisco/San Jose, CA (listed 9/4/16, see ad above!)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 8/14/16)
KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 8/7/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 8/21/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/4/16)
WFIE-TV, Evansville, IN (listed 7/24/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 8/21/16)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 8/21/16)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (relisted 9/4/16, see ad above!)
NBC Boston (listed 7/31/16)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (Special Projects/Investigative, listed 8/28/16)
KDVR/KWGN-TV Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 8/28/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted 8/14/16)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (Dayside EP, listed 8/28/16)
WBTV, Charlotte, NC (listed 8/7/16)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 8/14/16)
KPTV, Portland, OR (relisted this week)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 8/14/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (two openings, listing modified this week, see ads above!)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, relisted this week)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, relisted 8/14/16)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, listed 8/28/16)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 8/28/16)
WFOX/WJAX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (AM EP, listed 8/21/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, relisted 9/4/16)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 7/24/16)
WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/14/16)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/4/16)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Senior EP, listing revised 8/21/16)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (AM EP, listing revised 8/28/16)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (relisted this week)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 8/21/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 7/17/16)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (AM EP, relisted 8/14/16)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listing revised this week, see ad above!)

MANAGING EDITOR:

NBC Boston (listed 7/31/16)

Obituary:

Sturholm

Sturholm

PHIL STURHOLM, a longtime photojournalist and executive producer at Seattle’s KING-TV died Tuesday, August 23 at the age of 80, just three days before he was to host a station reunion. He was considered a legend, according to this article. And this article. And this one, too.

Names in the News:

Lougee

Lougee

One time news director DAVE LOUGEE (Denver and Washington) will become President and CEO of Tegna following the retirement of GRACIA MARTORE. That will happen after the spinoff announced this week of cars.com into a separate company. This article explains everything (well, at least everything about that move!)

On this anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, you may have read or seen stories about a controversial commercial produced by a Texas mattress store that some said mocked the attacks. KENS-TV (San Antonio) News Director JACK ACOSTA took to the web to explain his decisions on how the station covered the story.

One time KSTP-TV (Minneapolis) Assistant News Director CRAIG CHEATHAM is joining WCPO-TV in Cincinnati as EP and investigative reporter of its I-Team. Craig worked as an investigative reporter in St. Louis before moving into management in Minneapolis.

SYLVIA VILLARREAL is joining KXXV-TV in Waco, TX, as the station’s new executive producer. She’s currently an assignment editor at KTVT-TV in Dallas and has also worked for CBS News and in Bryan, TX. More here.

Two time RTDNA chair BOB PRIDDY is spearheading a national effort to collect and maintain old radio recordings.

Gelatt

  Gelatt

Longtime University of Missouri Journalism Professor (and one time KOMU-TV news director) ROD GELATT was honored this weekend by some former students. They created an endowment in his name to support the University’s NPR affiliate, KBIA-TV, where Rod also served as news director. More on Rod’s career and the endowment in this story. Friends can congratulate Rod via email at: rgelatt@aol.com

General Manager Moves:

STEVE SOUTH returns to Wichita as General Manager for Media General-soon-to-be-Nextar-owned KSNW-TV. He’s currently the GSM for Media General’s stations in Lansing, MI, but earlier in his career he was station manager for KAKE-TV in Wichita.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, September 11, 2016:

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KTTV/KCOP-TV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KTVT-TV 5233 Bridge Street, Fort Worth TX 76103
WPXI-TV 4145 Evergreen Road Pittsburgh PA 15214
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
WIVB-TV, 2077 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14207
WKEF/WRGT-TV 2245 Corporate Pl, Miamisburg, OH 45342
WSET-TV 2320 Langhorne Rd. Lynchburg VA 24501
WCSH/WLBZ-TV One Congress Square Portland, ME 04101
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs, CO 80905
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KX Network 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 (see ad above)
KARD/KTVE-TV 200 Pavilion Road W. Monroe, LA 71292
KMID/KPEJ-TV 3200 LaForce Boulevard Midland, TX 79711
KEYC-TV 1570 Lookout Dr, North Mankato, MN 56003
KYOU-TV 820 W Second St. Ottumwa IA 52501

* Spanish language station

Return to Blog