October | 2008 | Rick Gevers & Associates

October 27, 2008

Greetings:

The number keeps dropping.

My VERY unofficial count of open News Director positions now stands at 28 as THREE jobs were filled this week. And, to my knowledge, there were NO openings created.

We’ll introduce you to those new NDs below. There are also two obituaries of veteran TV newsmen, details about a serious stroke suffered by a former Chicago and Washington news director, and also tell you about an Ohio station who’s hired a new Assistant News Director.

That and much more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

None! (At least that I know of….)

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…JEFF WOODARD has been promoted to ND for this Gannett-owned NBC affiliate. He had been the EP there, and has worked at the station for more than ten years. He’s also worked in Syracuse. Jeff replaces ELLEN CROOKE who was promoted in August to be ND of another Gannett station, WXIA-TV in Atlanta after more than six years as ND here.

WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC…SHANE MORELAND has been named ND for this ABC affiliate. Shane most recently was ND at WTKR-TV in Norfolk and before that spent nine years as ND for WSLS-TV in Roanoke, VA. At WCTI, he replaces INGRID JOHANSEN who left this Bonten Media owned station last month after six years as ND.

KMIR-TV, Palm Desert, CA…JON FISCHER is the new ND for this Journal Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. Jon most recently spent six years as ND for KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. At KMIR, he replaces RUSS KILGORE who left the station after three years there this summer to return to Florida as ND for WINK-TV.

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/8/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/26/08)
KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 10/3/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 8/29/08)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, relisted 9/19/08)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (Nightside EP, listed 9/14/08)
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (relisted 9/26/08)
WFOR-TV, Miami, FL (Nightside EP, listed 9/26/08)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (AM EP, listed 9/19/08)
WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC (Nightside EP, relisted 9/19/08)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/8/08)
WZTV, Nashville, TN (relisted 9/26/08)
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA (relisted 9/26/08)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Dayside EP, relisted 9/26/08)
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ (AM EP, listed 8/22/08)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 10/03/08)

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:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)

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OBITUARIES

We have two obituaries of two broadcasting veterans this week.

Veteran Iowa news director GRANT PRICE died last week at a Waterloo, IA, hospital at the age of 85. He worked at both WMT (now KGAN-TV) and KWWL-TV, where he worked for more than 17 years. The Cedar Rapids Gazette provides more details about his life and career in this article.

I’m sorry to report the death of BILL HEADLINE, a former CBS and CNN executive who died earlier this week after a fall at his Maryland home. He was 76. Bill also once headed the Voter News Services. More about his career in this obituary from The Washington Post.

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NAMES in the NEWS:

We told those of you on our mailing list earlier this week that MIKE WARD had suffered a serious stroke. Mike just left WUSA-TV in Washington as ND last month. His condition is apparently not life threatening, but the prognosis for his recovery is described as difficult. Mike spent much of his career with NBC owned stations, as ND for WMAQ-TV in Chicago, VP/Creative Services for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, and GM for WNCN-TV in Raleigh when NBC owned that station. He began his career as a news photographer in Sioux Falls and later worked in Cleveland.

As we told you in our emailed update, Mike’s wife MAUREEN is with him, as has WUSA GM ALLAN HORLICK and his wife. (Mike and Allan worked together at WMAQ, in addition to WUSA.)

Anyone wishing to send a card may do so by sending it to:

Mike Ward
c/o Allan Horlick
WUSA-TV
4100 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington DC 20016

You could also send Mike’s wife a note at: maureen@suddenlysouthern.com

RICH SABREEN has joined the Institute for Media and Entertainment as its Managing Editor. According to the note he sent me, IME offers world-class programs in media-oriented branding, finance and accounting, business strategy, and human resources – including custom programs for companies and Short Focused Programs for groups and individuals. Rich is a former head of the old Group W News Services, GM of Bloomberg’s TV and Radio operation and was also VP and Global Head of Media for Reuters. He also once worked for Frank N. Magid Associates. Friends can reach him at rsabreen@ime.edu

WBNS-TV in Columbus has hired TONYA McCLEARY as Assistant ND. She most recently worked at WTEV/WAWS in Jacksonville as the Assistant ND. She’s also worked in Houston, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and as a reporter in Amarillo, TX.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, October 24, 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
NewsChannel 8 1100 Wilson Blvd.          Arlington VA 22209
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
WWSB-TV   1477 10th St.                   Sarasota FL 34236
WESH-TV   1021 N. Wymore Rd.              Winter Park FL 32789
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
WVUE-TV   1025 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy.   New Orleans LA 70125
KMPH-TV   5111 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WPMI-TV   661 Azalea Road                 Mobile AL 36609
WFTX-TV   621 SW Pine Island Rd.          Cape Coral FL 33991
KMTV      10714 Mockingbird Dr.           Omaha NE 68127
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
KTAL-TV   3150 N. Market                  Shreveport LA 71107
KDBC-TV   2201 E. Wyoming Ave.            El Paso TX 79903
WTXL-TV   1620 Commerce Blvd.             Midway FL 32343
KDLT-TV   3600 S. Westport Ave.           Sioux Falls SD 57106
KOLO-TV   4850 Ampere Dr.                 Reno NV 89502
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr.               Bakersfield CA 93301
WTVA-TV   PO Box 350                      Tupelo MS 38802
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd.                 Monroe LA 71211
KTUU-TV   701 E. Tudor Rd. #220           Anchorage AK 99503
WTHI-TV   918 Ohio St.                    Terre Haute IN 47808
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

October 20, 2008

Greetings:

Compared to recent weeks, it’s a relative slow time for news director and news management changes, with just ONE new ND opening and TWO new NDs named.

That leaves my unofficial list of open ND jobs at 31.

We do have several interesting developments in Names in the News: a planned retirement for one of the nicest people in TV news, a new GM job for a former San Francisco and New York ND, and the Tuna is back in a newsroom.

That and much more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

WESH-TV, Orlando, FL…BARB MAUSHARD has been promoted to VP/News of Hearst-Argyle Broadcasting and will move to New York. She’s been ND for this NBC affiliate for two years, and has previously been an ND for the company’s stations in Milwaukee and Ft. Smith, AR. Her move is prompted by the retirement of Hearst’s FRED YOUNG. More on that in Names in the News.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…veteran Huntsville newsman KEITH LOWHORNE is the new ND for this Calkins owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the Acting ND there since WILLY WALKER left this spring after just one year there. Keith is a longtime employee of crosstown rival WHNT-TV.

WPTZ-TV, Plattsburgh, NY…SINAN SIDAR is being promoted to ND for this Hearst-owned NBC affiliate. Sinan has previously worked in Syracuse, Albany, NY, Cleveland and Houston. He replaces KYLE GRIMES who was promoted to be ND for the Hearst station in West Palm Beach, FL, WPBF-TV, last month.

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

OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/8/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 9/26/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/26/08)
KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 10/3/08)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

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:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)

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

NAME in the NEWS:

FRED YOUNG is retiring after a long career with Hearst. One of the true gentlemen of our industry, he’ll step down at year’s end. He is currently VP/News for Hearst. He first joined them in 1962 in Pittsburgh where he eventually rose to GM. He’ll continue to serve in an advisory role for the company. Best wishes for a great retirement, Fred!

BRIAN BRACCO will assume some of Fred’s duties. Brian will remain in Kansas City, where he previously was ND for KMBC-TV. And (as noted above) BARB MAUSHARD will leave the ND job at the company’s WESH-TV in Orlando to also work as a group news executive, along with CANDY ALTMAN.

Congratulations to former WNBC-TV and KPIX-TV ND BRUNO COHEN, who’s been promoted to GM of Chicago’s WBBM-TV. Bruno has most recently been GM of the CBS duopoly in Sacramento, KOVR/KMAX-TV, replaces JOE AHERN. Bruno has also worked for CNBC, and has also worked in Pittsburgh and Eugene, OR.

Former Denver ND and GM ROGER OGDEN has been named Chairman of the Board of Chryon. Roger also worked for NBC and was President and CEO of Gannett Broadcasting.

DICK TUININGA has returned to a newsroom as director of planning and assignments for KUSI-TV in San Diego. It’s a return to KUSI for Dick, who was ND there earlier in his career. He most recently was a news director for KVBC-TV in Las Vegas, and has also been an ND in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

Past RTNDA Chairman and veteran ND BOB BRUNNER is the newest addition to the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Bob is currently ND of WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, WV. He’s been an ND in Charleston and Montgomery, and also worked in Knoxville. Your kind note finds him at: bob.brunner@suddenlink.net

And apologies to those of you who may have tried to email WCCO-TV ND SCOTT LIBIN a note of congratulations about the recent birth of his daughter. (Apologies to Scott, as well, of course.) I mangled his email address in last week’s newsletter. The correct one is: smlibin@wcco.com

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

Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, October 17, 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
NewsChannel 8 1100 Wilson Blvd.          Arlington VA 22209
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
WWSB-TV   1477 10th St.                   Sarasota FL 34236
WESH-TV   1021 N. Wymore Rd.              Winter Park FL 32789
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
WVUE-TV   1025 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy.   New Orleans LA 70125
WGRZ-TV   259 Delaware Avenue             Buffalo NY 14202
KMPH-TV   5111 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WPMI-TV   661 Azalea Road                 Mobile AL 36609
WFTX-TV   621 SW Pine Island Rd.          Cape Coral FL 33991
KMTV      10714 Mockingbird Dr.           Omaha NE 68127
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
KTAL-TV   3150 N. Market                  Shreveport LA 71107
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
KDLT-TV   3600 S. Westport Ave.           Sioux Falls SD 57106
KOLO-TV   4850 Ampere Dr.                 Reno NV 89502
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr.               Bakersfield CA 93301
WTVA-TV   PO Box 350                      Tupelo MS 38802
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd.                 Monroe LA 71211
KMIR-TV   72920 Parkview Dr.              Palm Desert CA 92260
KTUU-TV   701 E. Tudor Rd. #220           Anchorage AK 99503
WTHI-TV   918 Ohio St.                    Terre Haute IN 47808
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

October 13, 2008

Greetings:

Welcome to the “34th Anniversary of the resignation of VP Spiro Agnew edition” of your weekly newsletter covering the movements of news directors and news managers.

Lots of new NDs named this week, which drops our unofficial number of open ND jobs to 32.

There were SIX new ND’s appointed, while, to my knowledge, there is just ONE new opening to tell you about.

We’re re-running two ads this week, for a ‘Content Brand Manager’ in Ohio and an Assistant ND in Oklahoma City. I’m pleased there are no obituaries to share with you, and Names in the News is all good news, including a new baby for a well known ND and former Poynter faculty member.

That and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

NewsChannel 8, Washington, DC…this Albritton owned 24 hours cable news operation is reinstating a separate ND position for the cable channel. This person will report to co-owned WJLA-TV VP/News BILL LORD.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WTEN-TV, Albany, NY…ROB HUBLER has been named ND for this Young Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. Rob most recently has been an EP for WGCL-TV in Atlanta, and has previously worked in West Palm Beach, Charlotte, and Jacksonville. At WTEN, he replaces DANA DIETERLE who left the station in June to become Assistant ND for WOIO/WUAB-TV in Cleveland. Dana was ND there for about 2 1/2 years.

WPSD-TV, Paducah, KY…VP of News and Operations BILL EVANS has resumed day to day leadership of the newsroom, replacing GRIFF POTTER who has left the station. Griff had been ND for this Paxton Media owned CBS NBC station for four years.

WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL…this Citadel Communications owned CBS affiliate has named HEATHER VOUDRIE as its next ND. Heather is currently the Nightside EP for WDTN-TV in Dayton. She’ll replace ARTHUR STEADMAN who left that position in August after seven years as ND.

WQAD-TV, Moline, IL…we first reported yesterday that BILL CAREY had been named Station Manager/News Director for this LocalTV owned ABC affiliate. Bill most recently was GM for WFTS-TV in Tampa, and previously was an ND at both WCBS-TV in New York and WXYZ-TV in Detroit. At WQAD, he replaces LEIGH GERMANIS who left the station in July after just more than a year as ND.

KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX….PAUL BERGEN returns to Beaumont as ND for this McKinnon Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. Paul had been ND for KBTV in Beaumont until March of this year when he left for a brief stint as ND for KTAL-TV in Shreveport. At KBMT, he replaces MILES RESNICK who left the station earlier this year after eight years as ND.

KIMT-TV, Mason City, IA…GREG BERRY is assuming the ND job for this New Vision owned CBS affiliate. He has been the anchor and EP of the morning and midday newscasts here.

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HELP WANTED ADS

CONTENT BRAND MANAGER, WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH

NBC 4 (WCMH-TV) is an NBC affiliate of the Media General Broadcast Group and market leader with breaking news, Storm Team 4, and news on the Web at www.nbc4i.com is looking for a Content Brand Manager to join the Newsroom Team.

The person filling this position will be responsible for the development and presentation of all content developed by the WCMH News Department and the execution of brand images in all content on a daily basis.

The Content Brand Manager will act as Brand Champion for news and news related content. Manage and develop branding elements within product(s) to ensure all content fits with brand strategy and customer focus as outlined in our market research. Coordinates education of staff on branding, how they are to use, apply and grow it.

This position requires someone with superior news judgment, outstanding marketing acumen, strong organizational skills, and the force of personality to effectively supervise reporters and anchors on a dailybasis, with the end-product being a newscast that clearly and effectively illustrates and ‘lives’ our brand.

Experience working with Media General would be useful. Ideal candidate should have a College Degree in Journalism, Communication or any other related field. At least five years of experience in a Top 50 market in a supervisory role. Preferably would have some leadership experience (either the #1 or #2 person within the newsroom). Candidate is required to have experience working in a newsroom and strong marketing experience that comes from working within a marketing/promotional department.

Qualified applicants may either send their resume and cover letter to:

WCMH-TV
Attn: Human Resources
3165 Olentangy River Road
Columbus OH 43202

or email: wcmhhr@wcmh.com.

ASS’T NEWS DIRECTOR, KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK

KOCO-TV, the Hearst-Argyle owned ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City, seeks a strategic power player in local news.

Successful Assistant News Director candidates must have a proven track record of running a winning day to day news operation in a metered market, managing not only the broadcast newsroom, but also news coverage on the station’s digital news based initiatives as well.

Candidates must also have a minimum of three years news experience managing a large to medium staff in a medium to major market, excellent news judgment, the ability to direct coverage of and own latebreaking news, and the ability to work effectively with promotions, while coaching reporters, news anchors and other news managers.

The Assistant News Director must work effectively with the News Director in executing the station’s mission and vision. Please send news philosophy and last night’s 6p and 10p newscast (no phone calls please) to:

Stephanie Croswait
News Director
KOCO 5
1300 East Britton Road
Oklahoma City OK 73131

KOCO-TV is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the hiring, training or promotion of employees by reason of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. We are engaged in a continuing effort to seek out prospective applicants for employment with our company. We earnestly solicit your assistance in obtaining employees and request that you refer prospective applicants to us at the address below.

Resumes will be accepted until a qualified candidate is identified.

Please note source of referral on all resumes/cover letters/applications.

REFERENCE NUMBER: 09192008-26

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

OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/8/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 9/26/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/26/08)
KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 10/3/08, see ad above)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

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:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)

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

NAME in the NEWS:

It’s now official: PATRICK McCREERY has been promoted to General Manager for KPTV, the Meredith owned FOX affiliate in Portland, OR. He has been the interim GM there for a while and tells me he will continue to oversee the news department, at least for the immediate future. Patrick was promoted to news director there more than four years ago.

Congratulations to WCCO-TV ND SCOTT LIBIN and his wife MICHELLE on the birth of their first daughter, LAUREN MICHELLE LIBIN. Lauren was born September 23 and weighed in at seven pounds. Scott tells me all are doing well, if no one is sleeping very much. Your note of good wishes will find Scott via email at: smlibin@wcco.com

It was only a month ago that we told you that former ND TONY BALLEW had become a grandfather. He’s already added a second granddaughter to the family, as his daughter Alyson gave birth on Wednesday to a seven pound, nine ounce girl.

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

Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, October 10, 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
NewsChannel 8 1100 Wilson Blvd.          Arlington VA 22209
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
WWSB-TV   1477 10th St.                   Sarasota FL 34236
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
WVUE-TV   1025 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy.   New Orleans LA 70125
WGRZ-TV   259 Delaware Avenue             Buffalo NY 14202
KMPH-TV   5111 E. McKinley Ave.           Fresno CA 93727
WPMI-TV   661 Azalea Road                 Mobile AL 36609
WFTX-TV   621 SW Pine Island Rd.          Cape Coral FL 33991
KMTV      10714 Mockingbird Dr.           Omaha NE 68127
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
KTAL-TV   3150 N. Market                  Shreveport LA 71107
WAAY-TV   1000 Monte Sano Boulevard       Huntsville AL 35801
WPTZ-TV   5 Television Drive              Plattsburgh NY 12901
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
KDLT-TV   3600 S. Westport Ave.           Sioux Falls SD 57106
KOLO-TV   4850 Ampere Dr.                 Reno NV 89502
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr.               Bakersfield CA 93301
WTVA-TV   PO Box 350                      Tupelo MS 38802
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd.                 Monroe LA 71211
KMIR-TV   72920 Parkview Dr.              Palm Desert CA 92260
KTUU-TV   701 E. Tudor Rd. #220           Anchorage AK 99503
WTHI-TV   918 Ohio St.                    Terre Haute IN 47808
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

October 6, 2008

Greetings:

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we have a fair amount of activity to report this week.

FIVE new NDs were hired, two in top 20 markets, while FOUR ND jobs became open, all in medium and smaller markets.

That keeps the count of open ND jobs at 36.

We have two new paid ads this week, including our first ad for a ‘Content Brand Manager’. The other new ad is for an Assistant ND job in Oklahoma City, and there’s still time to send me your application for the major market ND job we’re advertising again. (Please note I’m NOT involved in that search…just forwarding applications to the right people.)

There are two obituaries this week: one for a longtime Houston newsman, the other for the mother of a former RTNDA chairman. And there’s just one Name in the News.

That and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

WPMI-TV, Mobile, AL…MIKE McCORMICK has been promoted to be ND for sister Newport station WTEV/WAWS in Jacksonville, FL. More on that below. Mike’s been ND here for about 16 months. WPMI is an NBC affiliate.

KTAL-TV, Shreveport, LA…PAUL BERGEN is leaving this Nexstar-owned NBC affiliate after seven months as ND.

WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS…ROBERT DAVIDSON has left this NBC affiliate. The station is owned by Frank Spain, LLC.

KNOE-TV, Monroe, LA…TAYLOR HENRY will be leaving this Hoak Media owned CBS affiliate. Taylor tells me he is talking with several other news organizations and will leave KNOE by the ned of this year. Taylor has been the ND here since December, 2005.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

WSNS-TV, Chicago, IL…JOSE ‘TONY’ MARTINEZ has been promoted to ND for this Telemundo station in Chicago, according to a report from ROBERT FEDER in the Chicago Sun-Times. Martinez has been the EP here, and replaces ESTEBAN CRESTE who became ND for KVEA-TV in Los Angeles.

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO…JEFF HARRIS returns to Denver and this McGraw-Hill owned ABC affiliate as ND. Jeff has been working as EP of Special Projects for KPIX-TV in San Francisco, but previously had held the same position for KMGH. He’s also worked in Cleveland, and replaces BYRON GRANDY who was promoted to Station Manager here after more than seven years as ND.

WTEV/WAWS, Jacksonville, FL…MIKE McCORMICK is the next ND for this Newport owned CBS/FOX duopoly. As noted above, Mike’s been at sister Newport station WPMI-TV in Mobile, but he’s no stranger to Jacksonville, having spent seven years as ND for WTLV/WJXX there before moving to Cleveland as ND for WKYC-TV for ten months. He replaces GENE ROSS who has left the station after just six months as ND.

KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX…HENRY MEDRANO will be the next ND for the Communications Corporation of America NBC affiliate. Henry now works for KENS-TV in San Antonio and formerly worked for CBS Newspath. He replaces DREW HADWAL who left in August after a year on the job. Drew was the station’s first ND.

WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA…GREG BALDWIN has been promoted to ND for this Schurz Communications owned NBC affiliate. He has been the EP there, and replaces SCOTT BRADY who was promoted to be ND for this company’s sister station in Springfield, MO.

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

HELP WANTED ADS

CONTENT BRAND MANAGER, WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH

This position requires someone with superior news judgment, outstanding marketing acumen, strong organizational skills, and the force of personality to effectively supervise reporters and anchors on a daily basis, with the end-product being a newscast that clearly and effectively illustrates and ‘lives’ our brand.

Qualified applicants may either send their resume and cover letter to:

WCMH-TV
Attn: Human Resources
3165 Olentangy River Road
Columbus OH 43202

or email: wcmhhr@wcmh.com.

ASS’T NEWS DIRECTOR, KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK

KOCO-TV, the Hearst-Argyle owned ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City, seeks a strategic power player in local news.

Stephanie Croswait
News Director
KOCO 5
1300 East Britton Road
Oklahoma City OK 73131

Resumes will be accepted until a qualified candidate is identified.

Please note source of referral on all resumes/cover letters/applications.

REFERENCE NUMBER: 09192008-26

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MAJOR MARKET NEWS DIRECTOR OPENING

Major market is seeking a News Director to lead a growing department in a growth market.

The candidate must have a track record of ratings success and be dedicated to investigative reporting, severe weather coverage and breaking news.

This group owned station offers top benefits and is committed to the finest in Broadcast Journalism.

Resumes and letters to: NDad@rickgevers.com

or you can mail resumes and letters to:

News Director Opening
Rick Gevers & Associates
PO Box 577
Zionsville IN 46077

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OTHER NEWS MANAGEMENT OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/8/08)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 9/26/08)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/26/08)
KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (new listing this week, see ad above)
KHBS/KHOG, Fort Smith, AR (relisted 8/15/08)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

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:

KSLA-TV, Shreveport, LA (listed 7/25/08)

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OBITUARY:

Funeral services were held this morning (Friday, 10/3) for longtime Houston newsman RAY MILLER. We told you earlier in the week that he died at the age of 89 after a long illness. Ray retired as ND of KPRC-TV in 1979, though he continued to work at the station. Be sure to check out the opening sentence (and more, of course) in this obituary from the Houston Chronicle.

Our sympathy to former RTNDA chairman and longtime Baton Rouge newsman JOHN SPAIN on the recent loss of his mother. FRAN SPAIN died Thursday, 9/25/08, at the age of 94. The family has requested memorial donations to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, where John is the Executive Vice President. Your condolence note would reach him at: jspain@braf.org

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NAME in the NEWS:

KRCR-TV in Redding, CA has a new Assistant ND. CARA DOYLE joins the station from KCTV in Kansas City where she was the morning producer.

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Here’s a complete list of all stations that I believe have a current ND opening, as of Friday, October 3, 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
KTVK-TV   5555 N. 7th Avenue              Phoenix AZ 85013
WWSB-TV   1477 10th St.                   Sarasota FL 34236
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
WVUE-TV   1025 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy.   New Orleans LA 70125
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
WPMI-TV   661 Azalea Road                 Mobile AL 36609
WFTX-TV   621 SW Pine Island Rd.          Cape Coral FL 33991
KMTV      10714 Mockingbird Dr.           Omaha NE 68127
WSTM-TV   1030 James St.                  Syracuse NY 13203
KTAL-TV   3150 N. Market                  Shreveport LA 71107
WAAY-TV   1000 Monte Sano Boulevard       Huntsville AL 35801
WPTZ-TV   5 Television Drive              Plattsburgh NY 12901
WHBF-TV   231 18th St.                    Rock Island IL 61201
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
KDLT-TV   3600 S. Westport Ave.           Sioux Falls SD 57106
KOLO-TV   4850 Ampere Dr.                 Reno NV 89502
KBAK/KBFX 1901 Westwind Dr.               Bakersfield CA 93301
WTVA-TV   PO Box 350                      Tupelo MS 38802
KNOE-TV   1400 Oliver Rd.                 Monroe LA 71211
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
WTHI-TV   918 Ohio St.                    Terre Haute IN 47808
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