September 13, 2015

Greetings:

Down, down, down.

I refer to the list of open ND jobs, which falls to 27 after FIVE openings were filled this week, with another THREE jobs opening up. (Just a few weeks ago, that list of openings was over 40!)

THREE of those open ND jobs among the FIVE paid help wanted ads in this week’s edition, including an ad for the most recent National Edward R. Murrow award winner for overall excellence.

We have updated information about memorial plans for the late JIM SANDERS who died this week, along with some tributes to him.

Lots of items in Names in the News, and three GM changes to share with you.

By the way, I hope to see many of you at this week’s EIJ conference in Orlando, which I still call (force of habit) the RTDNA convention! Some of our advertisers will be there, too, and I hope you’ll stop by and check out their services.

Devlin full 4-27-15

New News Director Openings:

Dreaden

Dreaden

WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA…MIKE DREADEN has been promoted to VP News & Marketing for Television for parent Cox Media Group. Mike’s been the ND for this Cox/ABC affiliate since January, 2012, when he was promoted from Assistant ND. Mike’s been at WSB since 1999 when he moved across town from ND for WGCL-TV. He’s also worked in New York, Boston, Miami, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Albany, NY, and Ft. Myers. The news release on his promotion is here.

DePury

DePury

WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…longtime news director JIM DePURY has announced his retirement in the next few months. Here’s the note his GM sent to the station. Jim’s been the ND here for 4 1/2 years, had earlier been the ND for WYOU before they combined, and has been an ND in Harrisburg, Jacksonville, FL, and Charleston, SC. He’s also worked in Tampa, Miami, St. Louis, and Lancaster. WBRE is owned by Nexstar and provides services to WYOU.

KTAL/KMSS-TV, Shreveport, LA…after 4 1/2 years as ND for this Nexstar owned NBC/FOX duopoly, CHRIS HUSTON is making a family move to take an ND job in Idaho. More on that below.

AccuWxFull-9-4:2-26

Newly Named News Directors:

Cronan

Cronan

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA…we told you earlier this week that MARGARET CRONAN returns to this CBS o-and-o as its next ND. Margaret worked as an EP here in the 90’s before going on to ND jobs in West Palm Beach and Baltimore. She left TV in 2003 for a series of jobs in Philadelphia outside of the business, as outlined here. Margaret replaces SUSAN SCHILLER who left in May after 14 years as ND at KYW, and almost 40 years working for CBS.

Hyvonen

Hyvonen

WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH…in another move we reported earlier this week, STEVE HYVONEN returns to Ohio and a newsroom as ND for this Raycom Media owned FOX affiliate. Here’s the memo to the staff. Steve most recently spent seven years as ND for WKMG-TV in Orlando, but before that ran the newsroom at WEWS-TV in Cleveland. He’s also been a news director in Birmingham, and has worked in Miami, Hartford, and Ft. Myers, and for MSNBC. Steve replaces KEVIN ROACH who left last month after 2+ years as ND.

Norred

Norred

WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA…KAY NORRED is the new news director for this Media General owned CBS affiliate. She most recently spent 7+ years as the ND for WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, VA. Kay has also worked in Tampa, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Pensacola, FL. At WRBL, Kay replaces SAM EATON who resigned in May after just over a years as ND here. He is now an Executive Producer for KSHB-TV in Kansas City.

Huston

Huston

KMVT-TV/KSVT-TV, North Twin Falls, ID…CHRIS HUSTON is returning to Idaho as ND for this CBS/FOX duopoly owned by Neuhoff Communications Gray Television, which purchased the station this summer (corrected 9-14-15).  We noted above his departure from KTAL-TV in Shreveport. It’s a family move. Chris tells me six of his eleven children live in Southern Idaho or Northern Utah, along with several grandkids. Chris spent almost two years as an ND in Idaho Falls before moving to Shreveport. He’s also been an ND in Wichita Falls, Erie (two stations), and Altoona/Johnstown, PA. He replaces MICHELLE BARTLOME who took a PR job at a local hospital.

WUPB/WBKP-TV, Ishpeming, MIJERRY TAYLOR was promoted to news director for this duopoly back in March.  He had been the sports director. He replaces GREG PETERSON who left the station in January.

WxMet Full 8-28 to 9-18

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

KingLogoNews Director, KING-TV, Seattle, WA:

Are you equal parts confidence and humility, inspiration and analysis, bold and empowering, journalist and businessperson, smart and – well – smart, then this job should interest you.

KING 5 is one of the most watched, followed and awarded news operations in America, including the 2015 National Murrow Award for overall excellence and the 2015 NAB Service to America award. In addition to producing 17 hours of news across KING, KONG, and regional cable news network NWCN each day, KING has a robust digital operation and social push that requires a leader with passion and vision for emerging media. KING has its eye on the future and is developing new ways to engage, educate and entertain our audiences.

Successful candidate must be an innovative strategic thinker; community-minded; strong communicator, collaborator, and leader; and have an understanding of winning in the digital world. Must possess solid journalist judgment and a news philosophy that emphasizes accurate, fair, and unique local content along with community engagement.

If you are not afraid to think boldly and take a great organization to even greater heights in a “digital first” era, then we want to talk to you!  To be considered for this position, apply online by clicking here.

KING TV is a subsidiary of TEGNA Inc. and a proud Equal Opportunity Employer.

Wtvm Logo

Executive Producer, WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA:

WTVM News Leader 9, Raycom’s legacy station in Columbus, Georgia is seeking a full-time Executive News Producer with exceptional showcasing skills. The successful candidate will lead producers in developing compelling content for newscasts, web and mobile that delivers on our promise of Coverage You Can Count On.

Raycom gives us all the latest news gathering tools: multiple live trucks, a satellite truck, LiveU backpacks, the leading news and weather apps and a well-staffed newsroom with a “digital first” urgency.

The successful candidate will possess superior writing and organizational skills and have a passion for news.

Columbus, Georgia offers great outdoor activities, like our world class white water rafting course on the Chattahoochee River; zip lines, a 25 mile Riverwalk from Columbus to Fort Benning and a friendly southern lifestyle. We’re located just an hour and a half southwest of Atlanta and just a three hour drive from Florida beaches.

To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity, please apply on line at www.raycommedia.com/careers with links to your work.

No phone calls please. EOE/M/F/D/V.

KoatCopy

Wvns Logo

News Director,WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV:

WVNS-TV/CBS and FOX, a West Virginia Media station in Beckley, WV is searching for a hands-on News Director. You will oversee day-to-day management of news content and quality.

Us – Our numbers are growing, our product not small market, our staff a mixture of experience and potential. We compete to win and in the process learn, grow and have fun together as a team.

You – Need to be an aggressive, dynamic and a highly competitive news manager. You need significant knowledge of television journalism, web usage, marketing, ethics and law. You need to be detail oriented, be able to follow through and communicate very effectively.

What you know, you’ll teach. What you need to learn we’ll teach you.

If you know it all…yea, that’s not going to work out.

The News Director is responsible for maintaining a budget and handling personnel issues. Candidates must show knowledge of current news events and have an understanding of local news delivery on multiple platforms. The position requires strong talent recruiting and development skills. The News Director at WVNS works with the station’s General Manager to establish and build upon a news philosophy that keeps the television news operation competitive and growing.

Phone calls accepted after resume is received.

Email resume to: ASandubrae@WVNSTV.com
Al Sandubrae
General Manager
WVNS-TV
304-929-6424

Wfaa Logo

Cross Content Platform Manager, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

This manager will lead the newsroom in coordination of news content on all platforms. Responsibilities include strategic assignment managing, and innovative content development. Primary focus will be to ensure a reduction in duplication on broadcast and on all digital platforms. Success will involve working with our newspaper partners and other local sources to find unique stories to differentiate ourselves from the competition. This position will also be responsible for managing workflow for special event news coverage as it pertains to both on air and digital. Content manager will also take a lead role in planning distinctive Texas wide coverage with other Texas TEGNA stations.

TEGNA, Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, education, political affiliation, veteran status or genetic information

To apply, click here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 8/14/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 8/14/15)
WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 8/8/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 8/8/15)
WKBN-TV, Youngstown, OH (listed 7/19/15)
KION-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA (listed 8/2/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 8/8/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 8/22/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 8/14/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (Special Projects EP, listing revised 8/28/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (listed 8/14/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Morning EP, listed 8/22/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 8/14/15)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/8/15)
WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH (listed 8/18/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 8/2/15)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, relisted 8/22/15)
KKTV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 8/22/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 8/28/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 8/14/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 8/22/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 8/14/15)

Obituaries:

Sanders

Sanders

The family of the late JIM SANDERS is planning a private memorial service for the well respected former ND. Jim died earlier this week at the age of 68 from complications from COPD. During his career, he was an ND in San Jose/San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Indianapolis, Columbus, OH, and Portland, ME. He also worked as a reporter in Orlando and other markets.

It’s often a cliche, but Jim was much loved by those who knew him and worked with him.

There was this on-air tribute by the sports director of Jim’s former station in San Diego, KNSD-TV.

SUZANNE RICO, who worked for Jim in both Sacramento and San Diego, called Jim ‘her greatest boss ever’ in this post on her website.

Longtime news director and general manager BILL BAUMAN competed with Jim for stories when both were reporters at the same Orlando station. He sent me two anecdotes, one from the newsroom, and one from Jim’s service in Vietnam.

Finally, this post from Facebook from Jim’s son, COLLIN SANDERS.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Case

Case

Legendary Mississippi newsman BERT CASE is making a very slow recovery in a Jackson hospital. He’s been battling sepsis. It was just a month ago that we told you about Bert’s 50th anniversary covering news in Mississippi. He’s been an ND for three different Jackson stations. He’s currently reporting for WAPT-TV, which offers this report on his current medical battles.

Poynter’s AL TOMPKINS moderated a discussion with the GM, ND, and an anchor from WDBJ-TV in Roanoke over the recent tragedy there.  It was a Poynter News University and you can learn more about it here.

Mussoni

Mussoni

Old friend JOHN MUSSONI is now the interim VP/News for WHYY-TV, the PBS station in Philadelphia. He’s filling in following the departure of CHRIS SATULLO. John’s the Managing Editor for WHYY and the EP of the station’s magazine show, FIRST. He spent more than 11 years at WTXF-TV, the FOX station in Philadelphia, 5 1/2 as ND. John was also ND for Comcast’s CN8. He’s also worked for WCAU-TV in Philly, and in Boston, Hartford, and Columbia, MO, where we worked together at the campus radio station.

BILL PERRY has been upped to VP/Content Production for OETA, the statewide Oklahoma Public Television Network. He’ll oversee OETA production, news, documentaries and public affairs programs. He’s a former news director in Knoxville and Ft. Myers, FL.

WIAT-TV in Birmingham has a new morning EP: BRITTANY RAINES joins this Media General CBS affiliate from competitor WBRC-TV in Birmingham.

GRANT CRUISE started this week as the Morning EP for WCMH-TV in Columbus, OH. He had been the Assistant ND for KRNV-TV in Reno.

Grant’s old job in Reno has been filled by DAVID SANDLER. He’d been the Senior Producer at KRNV.

MARISSA SCHWARTZ has been promoted to Assistant ND for News Press & Gazettte’s KION-TV in Monterey/Salinas. She had been a reporter and digital content director.

General Manager News:

KENS-TV in San Antonio is getting a new GM. It’s TOM CURY, the sales manager for sister Tegna station WFAA-TV in Dallas. He replaces the retiring BOB McGANN, who’s been GM for this CBS affiliate for 18 years.

ALAN RIEBE, longtime GM of WANE-TV in Ft. Wayne, has announced his plans to retire by the end of the year. He’s been the GM for this CBS affiliate for more than 12 years, and has worked there for 23.

RAFAEL ARCHILLA has been named GM of Nexstar’s ABC Affiliate in Billings, MT, KVSI-TV. He’ll also oversee KHMT-TV (Fox) which Nexstar manages via a joint operating agreement with Mission Broadcasting.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, September 13, 2015.

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

WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Boulevard St. Petersburg FL 33702
KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109 (see ad above!)
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York PA 17403
KOAT-TV 3801 Carlisle Boulevard NE Albuquerque NM 87107 (see ad above!)
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre PA 16701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd. Charleston, WV 25301
KOLD-TV 7831 N Business Park Dr. Tucson AZ 85743
KTAL/KMSS-TV 3150 N. Market Shreveport LA 71107
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Rd. Baton Rouge LA 70802
WCYB-TV 101 Lee St. Bristol VA 24201
WHBF-TV 231 18th St. Rock Island IL 61201
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee FL 32309
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Blvd. Macon GA 31201
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Road Ghent WV 25843 (see ad above!)
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59108
WDHN-TV 5274 E. State Highway 52 East Dothan AL 36376
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse Street, Jackson, TN 38301
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601

* Spanish language station

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