September 15, 2008

Greetings:

We’re a little delayed this week due to our attendance at the Centennial Celebration of the University of Missouri School of Journalism last week, (and a temporary internet outage) but I hope you’ll find the newsletter worth the wait.

There are TWO new openings to tell you about, including one in a top 20 market. And we have ONE new news director to share. My figures now show 37 stations looking for a new news director.

We have a new management listing for an EP job in Seattle, and LOTS of Names in the News. We’re also repeating FOUR ads for news director jobs, including one that will include Station Management responsibilities.

That and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

WOFL-TV, Orlando, FL…we told you earlier this week that BOB CLINKINGBEARD is leaving this FOX o-and-o after more than three years as ND here. He also spent seven years as ND for Fox’s WITI-TV in Milwaukee, and has worked in Washington, Detroit, Philadelphia, Birmingham, and Columbia, MO. Bob tells me he’s going to take some time to visit family and friends.

WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC…INGRID JOHANSEN is leaving after more than six years as the ND here. WCTI is an ABC affiliate owned by Bonten Media. Ingrid’s also been an ND in Providence and Lexington, KY.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS…JASON KRAVARIK has been promoted to ND for this New Vision owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the interim ND here since TODD SPESSARD left in July to become ND for KOKI-TV in Tulsa after more than five years as ND. Jason has been an Assistant ND here, as well as an EP and a reporter/producer.

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HELP WANTED ADS

STATION MANAGER/NEWS DIRECTOR, WQAD-TV, Moline, IL

Are you into John Deere tractors, fishing on the mighty Mississippi and eating tenderloin sandwiches?

OK…try this one.

Are you a successful News Director who wants a shot at running your own station some day?

Local TV LLC is now hiring a Station Manager/News Director who’ll help us rebuild WQAD in the Quad Cities.

The job requirements are simple:

· Create an interesting and compelling newscast that will keep the viewers awake at 10 pm.
· Develop promotional strategy for a two state market that will get the station noticed on both sides of the river.
· Drive Channel 8 into the digital age.
· Learn how to turn demos into dollars on the bottom line.
· Finally…train and develop your replacement.

This is a station with a hard working staff and a will to win. We’re not looking for a traditional News Director. We’re looking for Local TV’s next General Manager.

Get creative and e-mail your resume to: scharlier@localtvllc.com

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NEWS DIRECTOR, WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL

WWSB-TV, ABC 7 in the Sarasota, Florida, market is looking for an experienced News Director.

The qualified candidate will have News Director Experience, which should include a proven track record of excellent news judgment, the ability to build a diverse news staff, and improve product and ratings.

Collaborative leadership skills and the ability to motivate are critical.

Weather is an important element of coverage in this market, and the qualified candidate will have experience managing severe weather coverage for all platforms.

We look forward to hearing from interested candidates. Please send resume and cover letter to:

ABC 7/Personnel-News Director
1477 Tenth Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

You can also apply via fax to: 941-923-6387

or via email to: personnel@wwsb.com.

WWSB is an Equal Opportunity Employer, women and minorities are encouraged to apply. No Phone calls please.

NEWS DIRECTOR, WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL

ABC 27 HD, WTXL the local high definition station in Tallahassee, has an immediate opening for a News Director.

We’re a small market station in a state-of-the-art facility with an aggressive and exciting news staff. Must have a passion for news, great leadership and communication skills.

The successful candidate must be a hands-on leader who participates in news planning and content, hiring, budgeting, newsroom administration and a working knowledge of online News gathering.

Candidate must have a successful track record of leadership and ratings success and a proven ability to work with Sales and Marketing on special projects.

Prefer a college degree in journalism and 5 years experience in television newsroom management in a large market. Prefer News Director experience, but will consider an Assistant News Director or Executive Producer.

Send resume to:

ABC 27
Attn: Gary Wordlaw
1620 Commerce Blvd
Midway, FL, 32343

or e-mail to: gwordlaw@wtxl.tv.

WTXL TV is EOE. No phone calls please.

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NEWS DIRECTOR, KBAK/KBFX, Bakersfield, CA

Progressive station in Bakersfield, CA is looking for a News Director with a proven track record of outstanding news judgment, coaching, recruiting, and producing. Candidates should have command of what makes a good newscast both in content and presentation.

Aggressive Breaking News and Weather coverage would be baselines. KBAK has positioned themselves in the market as a strong Investigative station. Candidates should be able to sell their ability to drive lots of enterprise in daily content and include that when sending newscasts for review.

The News Director is responsible for managing a 45 person news team and implementing overall strategy that includes an evolving brand, formats, web site and morning news products. The News Director also has oversight for the Fox Prime and Morning newscasts. Demonstrating current online and on air best practices a plus.

Assistant News Directors and Executive Producers in larger markets with Producer background tracks and knowledge of contemporary journalism should also apply. Experience in news department management required, four year minimum degree in journalism preferred.

The station web site is www.bakersfieldnow.com.

Please apply to GM as indicated below. Candidates must submit a resume and DVD of a current newscast with their imprint on it, explaining how in the cover letter.

Troy McGuire
General Manager
KBAK/KBFX
1901 Westwind Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93301

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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:

KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/29/08)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 7/03/08)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (Nightside EP, new listing this week)
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)
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)
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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NAMES in the NEWS:

Our sympathy to longtime New York City news manager DIANNE DOCTOR on the recent death of her husband, ROGER HERNANDEZ. He died September 6th after a brief illness at the age of 53. Roger was a syndicated newspaper columnist and had worked for a number of newspapers. You can read more by clicking here. He is survived by Dianne, currently ND for the FOX owned WNWY/WWOR duopoly in New York, and two children.

PATRICK McCREERY, ND at Portland, OR, FOX affiliate KPTV since 2004, is now the Acting General Manager there. He continues as ND…for now.

Congratulations to KILEY RIFFELL who’s been promoted to Executive Producer of the morning news for KTVU-TV in Oakland/San Francisco. Kiley has been the 10:00 producer for this FOX affiliate, and has also worked for two stations in San Diego.

ROB CARTWRIGHT returns to Dallas as Assistant ND for KDAF-TV, the Tribune owned station there. The move reunites him with KDAF ND DAVID DUITCH. They worked together at WFAA-TV in Dallas. Rob is leaving his current job as Senior EP for WJLA-TV in Washington.

Another promotion to report, this one in Denver, where SARAH BURKE is the new Nightside EP for KCNC-TV. She has been the 10:00 producer for this CBS o-and-o.

KVIA-TV in El Paso, TX, has hired CARLOS ROSALES as the new Assistant ND.It’s a return to El Paso for Carlos who most recently has been the Assignment Manager at WFAA-TV in Dallas.

Longtime News Director TONY BALLEW is proud to be a new grandfather. He tells me that AVERY JEAN was born last month, and Tony says she’s the most beautiful baby girl on the planet. (I told you he was proud!) Tony is now working out of our business and is working in the field of drug and alcohol abuse treatment. He welcomes hearing from old friends at: desertmediaguy@yahoo.com

Also proving there is life after TV is SUSAN KELLEY. Susan’s been a GM in Medford, OR, and a news director in Oklahoma City and Grand Rapids, MI. Now, she and husband KEVIN VANDERKOLK (also a recovering TV-type) have launched preppyprincess.com. It’s an online store aimed at those who love all things preppy. She’s also blogging at: http://thepreppyprincess.wordpress.com/

Oops! Last week, in reporting one-time ND HOLLY STEUART’s new gig as GM of WHP-TV in Harrisburg, I mistakenly called WHP an ABC station. Old friend GED YOUNG gently pointed out that it’s a CBS affil. Thanks, Ged, and sorry for the error.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Sunday, September 14, 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 (see ad above)
KMGH-TV   123 Speer Blvd,                 Denver CO 80203
WOFL-TV   35 Skyline Dr.                  Lake Mary FL 32746
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
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
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
WKOW-TV   5727 Tokay Boulevard            Madison WI 53719
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
WCTI-TV   225 Glenburnie Dr.              New Bern NC 28561
WTXL-TV   1620 Commerce Blvd.             Midway FL 32343 (see ad above)
WAGT-TV   905 Broad St.                   Augusta GA 30901
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr.               Bakersfield CA 93301 (see ad above)
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

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