Indiana RadioWatch: January 19, 2015

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From the reading pile, where I read an interesting blog post yesterday: "12 Things To Stop Saying To People In Radio"

In compiling the "list of broadcast history dates," I've found a few radio stations whereby I can't pin down a sign-on date. If you'd be willing to help me, drop me a line.

Indiana Tower Services was formed following the closure of Eagle Tower Services and I wanted to explain the change. Former Eagle Tower President Bruce Chatel underwent back surgery in the fall which ended his ability to climb towers. Since this was his raison d'etre for being in the tower business, he has since changed careers and so we closed the former company and formed the new (Indiana Tower). The explanation in Indiana Radio seemed warranted since so many of our customers were in AM/FM/TV broadcast and I know many of you subscribe to Blaine's newsletter so this seemed a good way to 1.) reach you with an explanation as to the change, but 2.) to thank our broadcast customers for their past and present business. The new start up is already surprisingly busy given the winter "season" and we are deeply grateful for the work. I hope to build on the things customers liked about us, to fix the things that needed fixing and to make continuing improvement more than a platitude. Thanks again and we hope to hear from our customers--old and the ones we haven't yet met--in 2015, and we wish everyone of course a healthy and fruitful New Year.

Terry Garrity, President
terry.garrity@indianatower.com
Indiana Tower Services
www.indianatower.com

Now, onto the news:

In Evansville, Bayou City Broadcasting now owns CBS and FOX affiliates WEVV (CBS: Channel 44.1, FOX: Channel 44.2, both Evansville). WEVV now has leadership, as they move Jeffrey Fisher into the GM chair. Mr. Fisher is an Evansville TV veteran (29 years). Mr. Fisher last worked across town as Director of Sales for Nexstar ABC affiliate WEHT-TV (Channel 25, Evansville) and Mission Broadcasting's CW affiliate WTVW (Channel 7, Evansville).

Also at WEVV, The Dish network dropped both WEVV channels from their lineup, while negiations continue.

LIN Media's CW affiliate WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) chief investigative reporter Karen Hensel exits after many years with the TV station. Last February, WISH-TV promoted Ms. Hensel to chief investigative reporter. Also, WISH-TV welcomes Vi Nguyen as a General Assignment Reporter. We believe Ms. Nguyen last worked in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at CBS affiliate KWTV-TV.

Tribune Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) and CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington)/WTTK-TV (Channel 29, Kokomo) producer Jodie Pietrucha exits to become morning executive producer at KATU-TV in Portland, Oregon. Before joining Tribune in Indianapolis, Ms. Pietrucha spent four years at Schurz Communications' CBS-affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend).

New call letters for LPFM Construction Permits: Mark down WCYI-LP (104.1fm, Bloomington).

Where Are They Now? Former Fort Wayne DJ Sammy Suarez now programs WPKF and WBWZ in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Employment Opportunities

News Director/Anchor, WFFT-TV, Fort Wayne: If you are an experienced broadcast journalist with on-air and newsroom leadership experience, then we are interested in you. You must be a compelling on air anchor with an added ability to write the competitive and strategic master plan for the newsroom. This is a great opportunity for someone to join and lead a highly competitive and accomplished FOX newscast that has earned four Emmy nominations and twice awarded Best Newscast. The successful candidate must have an understanding of local news, as well as the ability to coach reporters to be enterprising with their story generation, as well as compelling and relevant with their content. Must have the ability to effectively deliver product on multi-media platform and make it relevant to the next generation of news viewers. This is a unique opportunity to take an award winning product to the next level. Solid news judgment, great communication skills and exceptional leadership are a requirement. Fort Wayne is located in northeast Indiana and is the second largest city in Indiana and the 76th largest city in Country. The Fort Wayne market is an extraordinary place to live and work, offering affordable living and an active lifestyle. Fort Wayne has been honored with several awards for quality of life and is a multiple winner of the All American City Award. Please send resumes and support materials to: WFFT Fort Wayne, Attn: Bill Ritchhart, 3707 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne IN 46807, Or via e-mail: britchhart at wfft dot com. Nexstar Broadcasting is an equal opportunity employer.

WXKE/Fort Wayne is looking for a new morning show. If you love and understand the Classic Rock lifestyle and can relate in a contemporary fashion, then we want to hear from you. Salary is negotiable. Full benefits are available. Please send air-check and resume to: demersjobs at gmail dot com. "WXKE Mornings" must be your subject line. Adams Radio Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you have a reason to be in the South Central Illinois area, and if you are a "selling manager," Cromwell Radio Group has a great position for you: Growing area, college town on interstate. Not a turn-around. Performing wonderfully. Need the right GM with solid business and digital knowledge to keep it that way and growing. We have three FMs, two being the most listened to Country and CHR stations in the region. Great community involvement. This is a position where you can make a difference and see it. It is not a position for a "ratings or transactional" selling GM. It's a "roll your sleeves up, get the job done, serve the community and be a leader" position like is always appreciated in smaller markets. Base plus bonus and good benefits for the right person. Current 11 year GM leaving on great terms for a position she can not pass up and we support her. Send resume and facts to: CromwellManager at CromwellRadio dot com. Cromwell Group, Inc. and their affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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