Nick Roberts has been named vice president of marketing for Cox Media Group Ohio. In his new role, Roberts will “oversee the strategic marketing activities of CMG Ohio’s integrated brands, drive product development and accelerate media platform convergence,” according to a CMG Ohio press release.

Roberts joined the company in 1997 and most recently served as the regional director of programming for CMG’s Ohio and Louisville radio stations. He replaces former vice president of marketing Donna Hall, who was recently promoted to group vice president at Cox Media Atlanta.

Cox Media Group Ohio oversees several newspapers and radio stations, as well as Dayton CBS affiliate WHIO.

Shannon Sims is joining Milwaukee NBC affiliate WTMJ as a weekend anchor.

Sims comes from Cincinnati, where she has been freelancing as a morning reporter and fill-in anchor at WXIX. She was released from her contract at WKEF-WRGT in Dayton after a year as the station’s main anchor in January.

Sims told TVSpy she is looking forward to working with the “winning team” of journalists, photographers and producers at WTMJ.

“At this point of my career moving to Milwaukee and working at TMJ4 to hone my skills as a reporter and command anchor seems like the perfect move,” Sims wrote in an email.

Mark Bruce, reporter and Saturday morning anchor for Dayton,OH, CBS affiliate WHIO, has announced he’s leaving local TV.

“The word got out, next Saturday will be my last day at NewsCenter 7,” Bruce said on his facebook page. “I am taking a job in Columbus that will allow a move to be closer to my family. The decision is bittersweet because my time at WHIO has been wonderful. Thanks for your support!”

He told TVSpy his job in Columbus” will be Public Information Officer for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Bruce said his last day at the station will be Saturday March 16. He started at WHIO in 2008 and previously worked at WRCB in Chattanooga, TN.

Dayton NBC affiliate WDTN has announced the hiring of Denise Eck as news director.

“We’re excited to have Denise join the WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW family,” said Joe Abouzeid, president and general manager of WDTN and CW affiliate WBDT.  “Her years of experience as well as her ability to lead a multiplatform newsroom have us excited for what’s ahead for the 2 NEWS team.”

Eck, who will start at WDTN in two weeks, comes to Dayton from nearby Cincinnati where she was assistant news director for WCPO. Before working at WCPO, Eck was the news director at KTKA in Topeka, KS.

Dayton ABC affiliate WKEF unveiled a new high definition set over the weekend. Devlin Design Group, which designed and installed the set for the station, has details about the new features:

The set is composed of large scenic walls with graphics on acrylic that are lit from behind with color-changing LED’s.  A contemporary wave design interspersed throughout adds a touch of sophistication to the overall look. The set is fresh and modern with a nice mix of polished acrylics, refined cherry woods and a touch of brushed metallic thrown in. Read more

The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting Dan Carroll was let go from the Dayton ABC/FOX station WKEF-WRGT after his newscast on Friday.

Carroll told the Enquirer, “They told me the ratings were not what they hoped they would be.”

The morning news co-anchor started at WKEF-WRGT a little more than a year ago and, according to the Enquirer, signed a three year deal at the time.

LIN Media has announced three promotions within the company’s executive ranks. Jay Howell has been promoted to vice president of regional television, Patrick Wholey has been named president and general manager of WPRI-WNAC in Providence, and Joseph Abouzeid has been named president and general manager of WDTN-WBDT in Dayton.

Howell previously was the president and general manager of WPRI-WNAC. In his new role as vice president of regional television, he will oversee those stations as well as WWLP in Springfield, WAVY-WVBT in Norfolk, WIVB-WNLO in Buffalo, WDTN-WBDT in Dayton, KIMT in Mason City and KSNT in Topeka.

“Jay did an outstanding job as General Manager, building revenue and profit performance through the growth of audiences both on-air and online, staff development and relationships with clients and viewers in the local community,” LIN Media EVP Scott Blumenthal said in a statement. Read more

Jack Atherton is leaving Cincinnati’s WLWT to join WKEF-WRGT in Dayton as the main anchor, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The move comes eight months after Atherton left the 11 p.m. anchor desk at WLWT, a shift which was said to allow him to “dig into the elections during this critical political year.” He was replaced by Mike Dardis, who joined the station from KOMO in April.

Atherton’s last day at WLWT is today. He will make his debut in Dayton October 17.

McCall Vrydaghs begins this month as the weekend meteorologist at WHIO, the CBS affiliate in Dayton.

Vrydaghs moves to Ohio from New York City, where she has been a meteorologist at Verizon’s Fios1 news channel since 2011 She has also worked at CNN Headline News Radio. She will be WHIO’s second weekend meteorologist, working alongside Erica Collura.

“Dayton and Storm Center 7 have a lot to offer,” Vrydaghs said in a statement. “I’m excited to be joining such an excellent weather team, and look forward to meeting our viewers.”

Letitia Perry, 11 p.m. anchor for Dayton, Ohio CBS affiliate WHIO, moves to the mornings.  The Dayton native will co-anchor News Center 7′s Daybreak edition with fellow anchors John Paul and Gabrielle Enright along with meteorologist Rick Wirdzek.

“This is an exciting new chapter in my broadcast career,” said Perry.  “I grew up watching Channel7 and to this day I’m still thrilled, excited and proud to be a member of the News Center 7 team.”

The station said it made the move to continue to build on this summer’s ratings surge for their morning news.

Perry has been at WHIO for 12 years, six of those have been at the 11 p.m. anchor desk.  She will start her new duties Monday.