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Michael Hayes Named SVP of Hearst Television

Merrill Knox — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:01:14 +0000

Michael J. Hayes has been named senior vice president and group head of Hearst Television.

Hayes comes from WTAE, Hearst’s ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, where he has been president and general manager since 2011. Before that, he spent eight years as general manager of WYFF, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Greenville, S.C.

“In every step of his career with Hearst Television he’s been a high performer, and we are delighted that he’ll be joining our talented management team in New York to work with our stations and help us compete at an even higher level in the years ahead,” Hearst Television CEO David J. Barrett said in a statement.

Hayes’ promotion is effective June 1. His replacement at WTAE will be named at a later date.

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John Humphries Named General Manager at WGAL

Merrill Knox — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:20:28 +0000

John Humphries has been named president and general manager at WGAL, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Lancaster, Pa.

Humphries comes from WYFF, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Greenville, S.C., where he has been director of sales since 2006. He succeeds Paul Quinn, who announced his retirement in September.

“John brings a diverse background in news, multiplatform sales, and management to his new role at the helm of the leading TV station in the Lancaster-Harrisburg market,” Hearst Television president and CEO David J. Barrett said in a statement. “He has the experience and vision to help build upon the outstanding legacy of Paul Quinn and the WGAL team.” continued…

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Bruce Barkley Named News Director at WYFF, Ben Hart to Replace Him at WAPT

Merrill Knox — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:41:05 +0000

WAPT news director Bruce Barkley (pictured) is moving from Jackson, Miss. to Greenville, S.C., where he will take over as news director of WYFF.

It is a move within Hearst for Barkley, who has served as WAPT’s news director since 2000. He will step into the role vacated by Justin Antoniotti, who is leaving WYFF to serve as news director for another Hearst station, WATE in Pittsburgh.

“We feel very fortunate to welcome someone of Bruce’s experience and knowledge,” WYFF general manager John Soapes said in a statement. “He has a proven track record of creating outstanding local television news programming, all while providing superior leadership and building great teams.”

Ben Hart, who has been assistant news director of WAPT since 2010, will step into the news director role at the Jackson ABC affiliate. Hart is a graduate of Mississippi State University. continued…

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Justin Antoniotti Named News Director at WTAE

Merrill Knox — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 09:55:24 +0000

Justin Antoniotti will take over as news director of WTAE, Hearst Television’s ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, beginning today.

It is a move within Hearst for Antoniotti, who comes from WYFF in Greenville, S.C. He has been news director there since 2007. Before that, he was the assistant news director at WISN in Milwaukee, another Hearst station.

“I have been very fortunate to have already worked at two great Hearst Television properties,”Antoniotti said in a statement. “To now be able to move to WTAE is very special. I look forward to working with the talented Channel 4 Action News Team and building on the great legacy at WTAE.” continued…

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WSPA Moves Gordon Dill to Weekday Evenings

Kevin Eck — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:36:08 +0000

Gordon Dill has been promoted to evening weekday anchor and 7 On Your Side watchdog reporter for Greenville, SC CBS affiliate, WSPA.

He told TVSpy, “The station put a lot of trust in me and I’m grateful. I’ll work every day to prove myself worthy.”

Dill, who came to WSPA in 2011 was a weekday anchor at crosstown rival WYFF when he found himself on the outs after an anchor shake up at the station.

In a press release announcing the move, vice president and general manager Bob Romine said, “Gordon’s experience in the market and his commitment to viewers and the community make him the obvious choice for this position.”

Dill will anchor the 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m newscasts replacing Chris Cato who is moving to WCAU in Philadelphia.

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Obama Talks Rural Economic Plan with Local Stations

Merrill Knox — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:05:40 +0000

President Obama discussed the details of his rural economic plan, which he unveiled yesterday, in interviews with eight local stations on Monday morning.

Obama was interviewed by Tom Wills of WJXT, Matt Breen of WTIV, Matt Smith of WBAY, Warren Armstrong of KFSN, Hollani Davis of WDBJ, Don Ward of KKTV, Kristen Remington of KTVN (pictured) and Michael Cogdill of WYFF.

Obama also discussed healthcare reform, the Wisconsin recall election and the health of Commerce Secretary John Bryson, who is taking a medical leave of absence after reportedly suffering a seizure over the weekend. continued…

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Another Round of Local Press for President Obama

Merrill Knox — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:59:30 +0000

With the election drawing closer, President Obama is doing another round of local press today.

The stations at the White House today are WDBJ in Roanoke, KKTV in Colorado Springs, KTVN in Reno, WJXT in Jacksonville, KTIV in Sioux City, WBAY in Green Bay, WYFF in Greenville, SC and KFSN in Fresno, CA.

In addition to a five-minute sitdown with the President, the reporters will also take a tour of the White House and the kitchen garden, and conduct interviews with administration officials from each respective market, according to CNN.

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KAMR’s Brad Fralick Joins WYFF As Sports Director

Merrill Knox — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:30:32 +0000

WYFF in Greenville, SC, announced that Brad Fralick will join the station as sports director. Fralick replaces Geoff Hart, who was recently named morning co-anchor at the NBC affiliate after 18 years as sports director.

Fralick, who will start tomorrow evening, has been sports director at KAMR-KCIT in Amarillo since 2005. He will join Carol Goldsmith, Michael Cogdill and John Cessarich on the weeknight 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts.

“Brad brings a great passion for sports to the upstate,” news director Justin Antoniotti said. “I know he will work hard to get to know the coaches, athletes and fans at Clemson, Carolina, Furman and local high schools throughout our region.”

Fralick will provide WYFF with extended coverage of both college and high school football for Greenville this fall.

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John Soapes Named President-GM of Hearst’s WYFF

Andrew Gauthier — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:01:27 +0000

Hearst has promoted John Soapes, who has served as general sales manager of the company’s Orlando CW-affiliate for the past decade, to president and general manager of WYFF, a NBC-affiliate serving the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville market.

“John is an outstanding broadcast executive, more than ready to take on the opportunity of leading WYFF,” said David Barrett, president and CEO of Hearst Television, adding that the company is “delighted to bring a native South Carolinian home.”

Soapes succeeds Michael Hayes, who was recently appointed to president and general manager of WTAE, Hearst’s Pittsburgh ABC-affiliate.

Soapes began his career as an account executive with WTAT in Charleston, SC.

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Lost in Shuffle at WYFF, Anchor Gordon Dill Jumps to Crosstown Rival WSPA

Andrew Gauthier — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:07:26 +0000

Previously a weekday morning anchor at WYFF, Gordon Dill has jumped to crosstown rival WSPA, where he will work as a weekend evening anchor and reporter.

WSPA, a CBS-affiliate in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville market, announced the move this week, saying that Dill’s first day is set for April 4th.

Dill has spent the majority of his 12-year broadcasting career with WYFF, an NBC-affiliate, where he became a popular presence in the morning. He was squeezed out earlier this month as the station decided to change its daytime anchor lineup.

“After being assigned to a different schedule Gordon decided to seek employment opportunities elsewhere,” WYFF announced this week. “We wish Gordon the best of luck in the future.” continued…

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Michael Hayes Named President-GM of WTAE

Andrew Gauthier — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:16:10 +0000

Hearst has named a successor to Rick Henry at Pittsburgh’s WTAE. The company announced today that Michael Hayes, who has been the president and general manager of Hearst-owned WYFF in Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, has been appointed president and GM of WTAE.

“Mike Hayes is an accomplished television executive,” said David Barrett, president and CEO of Hearst Television. “We are delighted that he is stepping into the leadership role at WTAE, one of Hearst Television’s legacy stations. WYFF has distinguished itself in local news leadership, and sales and profit performance during Mike’s seven-year stewardship. We are confident that he’ll bring that same energy, urgency, and effective leadership to the team at WTAE.”

Henry is set to retire this month after nearly four decades with Hearst, including nine with WTAE.

Hayes began his career as a sports anchor and producer for WISH in Indianapolis. He became president and GM of WYFF in 2003 after serving as general sales manager of Cincinnati’s WLWT.

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